Kyle Rittenhouse returned to the University of Memphis to deliver a talk on Second Amendment rights and his trial experience. Unlike his previous appearance at the university, attendees allowed Rittenhouse to share his perspective on the controversial night in Kenosha. What aspects of his trial and Second Amendment rights did Rittenhouse focus on during his speech?
Rittenhouse Returns After Previous Disruption
Kyle Rittenhouse successfully delivered his speech at the University of Memphis, a year after protesters forced him off stage during a previous appearance. The event, organized by the university’s chapter of Turning Point USA, implemented stricter security measures to ensure the talk proceeded without interruption.
Attendance was notably sparse, with only about 40 people present and several rows remaining empty. The controlled environment featured limited audience access and a smaller protest crowd compared to the controversial speaker’s previous visit.
HAPPENING NOW — Kyle Rittenhouse is back at the University of Memphis after his visit was cut short by angry students last year.
This clip shows students gathered at the UC Wednesday night chanting "Shame on you!" as Rittenhouse speaks in the UC Theatre. pic.twitter.com/iVjhsy0NEx
— Action News 5 (@WMCActionNews5) February 27, 2025
Focus on Second Amendment and Trial Experience
During his uninterrupted presentation, Rittenhouse shared his perspective on Second Amendment rights and recounted details from his 2021 trial. He specifically described the night he shot three people, two fatally, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, maintaining his self-defense claim that led to his acquittal.
The speech included a question-and-answer segment, though Rittenhouse selectively addressed audience inquiries. Despite ideological differences, reports noted a surprisingly cordial exchange between Rittenhouse and a student who disagreed with his positions.
NEW: Huge crowd of Kyle Rittenhouse haters in Memphis,TN. Depending who you ask, he's either a hero or a monster. He was acquitted for shooting three men(2 fatally) in WI during the social unrest of 2020. Rittenhouse claimed self defense as he tried to protect small businesses. https://t.co/m1026j67uR
— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) February 27, 2025
Legal Support and University Policies
The Alliance Defending Freedom played a significant role in ensuring Rittenhouse’s return to campus after his earlier speech was disrupted. ADF attorney Mathew Hoffmann emphasized that universities should prevent hostile students from shutting down speakers, citing protections under Tennessee law and the First Amendment.
Following the previous disruption, ADF sent a demand letter to the University of Memphis requesting that the event be rescheduled and the $1,600 security fee reimbursed to Turning Point USA. While the university agreed to reschedule the event, it did not refund the security fee but has subsequently revised its security fee assessment system.
The University of Memphis has publicly committed to promoting respectful dialogue and preventing disruptions at campus events. This commitment reflects growing national conversations about free speech on college campuses and the appropriate balance between security concerns and First Amendment rights.