1,000 signatures reached
To: University administrators
Petition to ban Kyle Rittenhouse from speaking at universities
The scheduled speaking engagements of Kyle Rittenhouse at various universities across the Midwest is deeply concerning. Rittenhouse, known for traveling across state lines with a AR-style semiautomatic rifle during a police brutality protest and fatally shooting at three protestors in what he argued was self-defense. After a very public trial and Donald Trump’s stamp as “a nice young man” he was later acquitted on all charges. Now, he has been invited to speak at campuses such as the University of Memphis and Kent State University.
We call on university administrators to take a stand against hate speech and violence by banning Kyle Rittenhouse from speaking at their campuses. It is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff and to create an environment where all members of the community feel respected and valued.
We call on university administrators to take a stand against hate speech and violence by banning Kyle Rittenhouse from speaking at their campuses. It is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff and to create an environment where all members of the community feel respected and valued.
Why is this important?
Rittenhouse's presence on college campuses is highly controversial and has sparked outrage among students, faculty, and community members. His speaking events, organized by the right-wing Turning Point USA chapters, not only raise concerns about campus safety but also promote divisive ideologies that have the potential to incite further violence and hatred.
Universities should be spaces for learning, growth, and respectful dialogue, not platforms for individuals associated with violence and hate speech. Allowing Rittenhouse to speak at universities sends the wrong message and undermines the values of inclusivity and tolerance that higher education institutions should uphold.
Universities should be spaces for learning, growth, and respectful dialogue, not platforms for individuals associated with violence and hate speech. Allowing Rittenhouse to speak at universities sends the wrong message and undermines the values of inclusivity and tolerance that higher education institutions should uphold.