Hundreds at Kent State campus protest Kyle Rittenhouse visit

KENT, Ohio — After students circulated petitions with more than 5,000 signatures attempting to ban Kyle Rittenhouse from the campus, Rittenhouse delivered remarks Tuesday night. Some Kent State students said they planned to walk out of classes at noon on Tuesday ahead of the controversial speaker's visit to campus, but a News 5 journalist on the scene didn't see any signs of coordinated or mass student activity.

The idea behind the announced walkout was to get away from campus for safety reasons in response to Kyle Rittenhouse and the unrest his appearance may have generated.

Prior to his remarks, more than 100 protesters had gathered on campus to express their displeasure at Rittenhouse's appearance.

A controversial visit

The campus and social media have been abuzz ahead of the visit of the conservative gun rights advocate and former Kenosha, Wisc., protest shooting suspect.

Rittenhouse's appearance has drawn widespread reactions.

Some students were upset that he was being allowed to speak, given the school's history as the location where four students were shot and killed by the National Guard on May 4, 1970. Others say they support free speech and Rittenhouse’s beliefs.

The university has taken a free speech stance.

The event

Rittenhouse spoke at 6 p.m. at Kent State’s Student Center KIVA Auditorium.

Larry Pollak was among hundreds of people who waited outside Kent State University’s student center on Tuesday to show his support for Kyle Rittenhouse.

“My wife and I came to support Kyle because we’re strong believers of the Second Amendment and we believe that Kyle did the right thing,” said Pollak.

Rittenhouse drew international attention when he shot and killed two men during protests in Kenosha back in 2020.

A third person was wounded with his AR-style weapon at the time of the incident.

Rittenhouse said he acted in self-defense, and he was ultimately acquitted.

“He did his part. He was the militia, and he went out to protect property,” said Pollak.

Now, Rittenhouse is meeting supporters like Terry Smith at local universities like Kent to share his story and advocate for gun rights.

“I just want to be here in support of him since he went through some ordeals,” said Smith.

Kent State students have circulated at least two petitions with more than 5,000 signatures attempting to ban Rittenhouse from speaking.

While Rittenhouse delivered his speech, News 5 saw both supporters and protesters like Khori Davis in attendance, who told News 5 she came to diminish his attention.

“I think that what he has to say it really invalidates people’s experience. It invalidates the fact that he hurt people,” said Davis.

Unlike Rittenhouse’s visit to the University of Memphis, Tuesday’s crowd remained peaceful, whereas Davis says they took up those free seats and made their presence known.

Officers did have to escort those in attendance outside the auditorium due to the large number of protestors waiting outside the gate.

But News 5 did not see any tensions arise during that time.

“With this happening there’s been a lot of talk about different things happening and I felt very uncomfortable about it as a person of color on this campus, but seeing the solidarity and everything that’s going on, it really makes me feel like there is a community,” said Davis.

Following the event, students like Sophia Walker encouraged her peers to continue using their voices.

“All the people back before us fought for us to use our voice, so if we don’t use it then staying silent isn’t going to help anything,” said Walker.

RELATED: Kent State facing backlash after organization says it plans to host Kyle Rittenhouse

“It’s not just for when the hypothetical government overreach becomes too much, but I think it’s also important to have it for when the government isn’t doing enough," said Brady Seymour, president of Turning Point USA KSU Chapter.

“He’s just not a good person. It’s like a killer on campus. It’s supposed to be a safe campus, we’re all supposed to feel safe. And I feel like we won’t be safe if he comes here. It’s going to start a whole uproar," Jeffery Chandler, a Kent State freshman, said prior to the event.

News 5 reached out to Kent State University for comment about the upcoming event.

"At Kent State University, we are driven by our core values, which include kindness and respect and freedom of speech. We cannot ban speech because it would go against a core value and because of well-established laws governing free speech on public university campuses. Upholding the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly for all, the university has a long history of allowing peaceful dialogue from all points of view, including those whom some may feel are offering different and/or sometimes controversial opinions. Consistent with our core values, we encourage open dialogue and respectful civil discourse in an inclusive environment.  

The safety of our community is the priority of Kent State’s Department of Public Safety, Police Services. Police Services is aware, monitors and assesses the safety of our community during campus events and responds accordingly."