Kyle Rittenhouse greeted the crowd before a panel discussion on the third day of America Fest in Phoenix.
Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who gained hero status in parts of the conservative movement after he was acquitted in fatal shootings in Wisconsin last year, told a crowd of thousands in Phoenix on Monday that he was a scapegoat for a government effort to disarm the public.
Rittenhouse told a crowd of 6,700 people at the Phoenix Convention Center that his trial was an example of how they were trying to take his weapons.
A jury found Rittenhouse not guilty of all counts against him in November, after a trial that exemplified the country's political polarization and raised questions about justice, equity and self-defense.
Since then, Rittenhouse has made appearances on conservative media, and spoke Monday at a four-day gathering of conservatives put on by Turning Point USA, a student-focused movement that supports a free market and limited government.
The nonprofit's political affiliate has worked to support Donald Trump, and its founder has promoted false theories that the 2020 election was stolen from him. The organizations are in favor of the Second Amendment.
While Rittenhouse is feted by conservatives, the verdict also is viewed as a validation of vigilantism and prompted concern about an increase in violence at protests.
Kirk said he was a hero to millions.
Rittenhouse was celebratory. A crowd gathered in the hall to take a picture of him. The audience chanted " Kyle, Kyle, Kyle" as they waited for the teenager to come on stage, and then gave him a standing ovation.
Rittenhouse, who sobbed when he testified during his own defense, smiled and joked on stage with Kirk and other panelists. One brief reference was made to one of the men killed in Kenosha over a year ago.
While Rittenhouse has appeared on conservative media and visited with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, the appearance in Phoenix marks the first semi-public event for Rittenhouse, who just weeks ago told Fox News' Tucker Carlson that he wanted to "lay low"
Kirk told Rittenhouse that he was a hero to millions. Rittenhouse was not paid for his appearance.
He sparked controversy at Arizona State University, where he was briefly enroll 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110 888-739-5110
A spokeswoman for Rittenhouse did not respond to a question about whether Rittenhouse would visit the campus in Arizona.
There are different viewpoints on shooting.
Rittenhouse was 17 years old when he shot and killed two people and wounded another during a protest in August 2020.
During the summer of 2020, there were protests in some of America's largest cities after the police shooting of a partially paralyzed man.
Rittenhouse was portrayed by prosecutors as an untrained avenger who brought a rifle to the protests in order to cause trouble.
Rittenhouse's defense team argued that he acted in self-defense. Rittenhouse said he went to defend more private property after two nights of rioting.
Conservative commentators and politicians have embraced Rittenhouse as a victim of mainstream media bias and an example of the need for self-defense laws. The jury's verdict was seen as an example of white privilege within the justice system.
Rittenhouse said he would be on the lookout for media outlets that would be sued. He said he took the stand to tell the world the truth. I took the stand because of that.
People in Phoenix share their thoughts.
Alexander Sjogren, 23, of Pennsylvania, said he supported Rittenhouse and shared a fear that Democrats in Washington, D.C. wanted to take away Second Amendment rights. Sjogren put a flag on his shoulders.
"He presented the truth very well, and we're here to support him," Sjogren said. We're here to support him. We are here to pray for him. We can't imagine what he's going through.
The prosecution of Rittenhouse was a clear cut case of innocence according to Godzich. The justice system and media target white male gun owners.
He said that they're going to be coming after everyone.
If you want to speak to a reporter, you can reach them at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com. She can be followed on the social networking site, "sbarchenger."
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Kyle Rittenhouse cheered in Phoenix during America Fest.
