ASU protest over Kyle Rittenhouse draws students in opposition, support of his enrollment

A large gathering of Arizona State University students marched across campus Wednesday afternoon as debate over Kyle Rittenhouse as a university student continues, even though he’s not currently enrolled.

Dozens of protestors chanting “killer Kyle off our campus” were met by dozens of other counterprotesters yelling “let’s go Kyle” as the groups faced off in person, manifesting an online debate that’s simmered in recent days.

Rittenhouse was taking ASU online classes as a non-degree-seeking student during his recent trial in Wisconsin over his shooting and killing of two men and wounding of a third in the aftermath of Kenosha protests. A Wisconsin jury acquitted him of all charges on Nov. 19.

Although Rittenhouse is no longer currently enrolled in any ASU classes, he’s said in recent media interviews that he wants to study on campus in the future.

A few ASU student groups are opposed to that, demanding at the Wednesday protest that ASU deny Rittenhouse further admission, among other requests. Other students rallied in support of Rittenhouse’s right to study at ASU if he chooses to re-enroll — and for former TV news anchor and Republican Kari Lake's campaign for governor.

The protest began in an arts center courtyard on the Tempe campus before students marched across campus, including to the administrative building that houses the university president’s office.

The Wednesday rally was organized by left-leaning student organizations Students for Socialism, Students for Justice in Palestine, the Multicultural Solidarity Coalition and MECHA de ASU. Other student demands for the university included that the university make a statement against white supremacy and further support multicultural spaces on campus.

The protest was heated but appeared largely peaceful. An ASU spokesperson said he was not aware of any arrests, and emphasized the value of free speech.

“University campuses are synonymous with free speech, an environment for the vigorous discussion and debate of ideas. Differences of opinion, from all sides, should be explored in a peaceful exchange,” spokesperson Jay Thorne wrote in an email.

ASU had confirmed Monday, as controversy swirled over Rittenhouse’s enrollment status, that he was not currently enrolled, adding that there was “no action taken by the university.”

President Michael Crow, in a Tuesday response to questions from state Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, echoed that, saying Rittenhouse had been enrolled in “two publicly available courses for this semester,” and that the status change was “precipitated by his own actions.”

“As a university that measures itself by whom it includes and how they succeed, should he choose to seek admission in the future, his application will be processed as any other would be,” Crow wrote in the statement.

Rittenhouse’s attorney and spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment about the protest or his future plans as a student.

A heated protest of competing chants

Chants were thrown back and forth between the groups during the nearly hour-long protest and march.

“Lock him up” and “ASU, shame on you,” the protesters chanted, which were met with “not guilty” and “we love Kyle” choruses from the counterprotesters’ side.

Student organizers began the protest with short speeches, but they were at times difficult to hear as counterprotesters yelled and chanted. They also put up Lake campaign signs on the grass and carried them as the marching began.

Plans for the protest had sparked debate online in recent days over whether the student groups were wrong to call for Rittenhouse's removal from ASU. Students, opinion columnists, lawmakers and gubernatorial hopefuls weighed in.

Protest organizers said in a statement Monday evening that they were concerned not only about “the danger Kyle Rittenhouse presents” as a person on campus, but also “the racist and fascist right-wing elements that he will bring on campus,” as “having such a high-profile right-wing fascist icon on our campus would be giving these organizations a free pass to recruit and organize students.”

The counterprotesters were mostly from right-learning student groups who came out to support Rittenhouse, according to Timothy Tizon, a member of Young Americans for Liberty at ASU.

“The left, they’re increasingly trying to push the narrative of having the right to higher education, yet they’re trying to deny a person of that said right,” he said. “It was a successful protest on both sides, especially from the right, for us coming out trying to give support of Kyle and the fact that he was acquitted in the trial.”

An online petition launched a week ago calling for Rittenhouse to not be allowed to attend ASU had nearly 15,000 signatures; a newer competing petition wants ASU affiliates to show support for Rittenhouse and to “#KeepKyle” at ASU.

Have a story about higher education? Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kyle Rittenhouse protest at ASU brings out supporters, opponents