Chicago (CBS) — Conservative activist Kyle Rittenhouse interrupted a speaking engagement at the University of Memphis on Wednesday night after angry protesters blocked him.
CBS affiliate WREG-TV reported that Rittenhouse was invited to speak by the campus organization of the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA.
Rittenhouse was acquitted of all serious charges in 2020 for shooting three people and killing two of them during protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, claimed that he shot the men in self-defense.
WREG-TV reported that his appearance at the University of Memphis had sparked controversy for several weeks, and at the UC Theater on Wednesday evening when he told the audience that he had been “violently attacked by a mob of rioters” in Kenosha. He was immediately scolded.
Instead of the planned speech, the program moved quickly into a question-and-answer session, but Rittenhouse was escorted off the stage after about 30 minutes after protesters repeatedly shouted and booed.
Since his acquittal, Rittenhouse has become a conservative activist, and created a non-profit foundation to fight against gun control legislation.
Todd Furrer
