Campus Organization Turning Point USA has invited controversial speaker Kyle Rittenhouse to the University of Memphis again in February, almost a year after Rittenhouse was rushed off stage.
After The Daily Helmsman made multiple attempts to contact TPUSA but did not hear back, the Helmsman spoke to TPUSA representatives at a tabling event on the 23rd of January.
“As of right now, he will be attending the UofM,” said a TPUSA Memphis representative.
According to the TigerZone app, the event is planned for February 26th, 7 p.m., in the Meeman Journalism Building room 100. It will be held on a different stage than when Rittenhouse went to the UC Theater last year. However, this may not be the exact date.
“We are still working on some of the venue stuff, so through the school within the next couple days then if they approve the venue [he will visit] February 26th we’re pretty sure,” said the TPUSA representative.
The University Department of Student Leadership and Involvement confirmed that TPUSA has invited Rittenhouse.
“Kyle Rittenhouse has been invited by the Registered Student Organization (RSO) Turning Point USA - Memphis. The event is not sponsored by Student Leadership and Involvement or the University of Memphis,” said Student Leadership & Involvement Director Dr. MK Tyler.
Last year, Rittenhouse spoke at the UC theater, but TPUSA hopes to have him in a smaller venue this time.
The different venue comes with some security concerns as the building isn’t as close to a road as UC Theater, and someone leaving, assuming there are crowds, would have to go through crowds. Despite that, the group insists that this building is safer.
“The goal is to have the event be safer and more of a ticketing system to where we have attendees that want to be there,” said TPUSA chapter president Anne-Elizabeth Matheny. “People are allowed to protest outside, but to be able to have a more secluded event that is more peaceful, we would like to have a smaller venue.”
After the event last year, Kyle Rittenhouse posted on X, “What I find hilarious is that everyone is saying I was ‘chased’ out of Memphis, when in reality, we went to this restaurant called Huey’s, grabbed some food, and nobody seemed to care or notice.”
However, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) said otherwise.
In a letter the ADF sent to the UofM, the organization demanded Kyle Rittenhouse have a second chance.
TPUSA founder, Charlie Kirk, also threatened legal action against the university, but no lawsuit has been filed so far.
“We’re not sitting here planning to start a riot on the UofM campus,” said the TPUSA Memphis representative. “We’re hoping that people, you know, this time around, will understand that there are people in this world that don’t believe the same.”
This is a developing story, The Daily Helmsman will provide updates.
