Gun walk hosted by former student, causes uproar at Kent State University
Kent State University graduate Kaitlin Bennett returned to campus on Saturday Sept. 29, to lead a demonstration of second amendment rights.
Bennett, who is known as Kent State’s “gun girl,” became infamous for pictures she tweeted with an AR 10 strapped across her back as she walked across campus.
“Now that I graduated from Kent State, I can finally arm myself on campus,” Bennet wrote in a Twitter post. “I should have been able to do so as a student- especially since four unarmed students were shot and killed by the government on this campus #CampusCarryNow.”
As expected, controversy ensued.
Bennett received an incredible amount of backlash, and even engaged in some strongly worded tweets with Jim Carrey (the comedian/actor) himself, who mocked her in a political cartoon.
But none of this stopped Bennett from vowing to return to the campus to host a rally.
The date of the rally, set for Sept. 29, met stiff opposition. In late August, Kent State released a statement saying that the rally was not in compliance with the University’s policies and that Bennett should cease advertising for it immediately.
Bennett disregarded the university’s orders, saying that her attorney had advised her to continue the rally as planned.
The rally was eventually changed to a walk, in which anyone could come with their guns, and walk around campus to advocate for open-carry.
Aware of the number of weapons that were going to be present, Kent State quickly developed a comprehensive security plan. The University’s police, along with officers from cities including but not limited to Warren, Columbus, Lima, Toledo, highway patrol and the University of Akron police were present early in the morning of the event.
“There’s a lot of cops on campus,” said sophomore Cindel Corbett. “I see one every ten feet. They’re always in sight. There’s always like twenty in sight.”
In addition, Kent State’s library, student center, bookstore, some University roads and even dorm entrances were closed as a precaution. While many students were not affected by this, others said that it was a disruption to their learning.
“I need to write an essay, and they won’t let me get into my dorm,” Hoban graduate and current Kent State freshmen Svea Hall said.
Other students attended the rally in peaceful protest to the event or just because they found it fascinating.
“We were told that this is a safe campus where we are protected,” freshman Sasha Graber said. “To have an open-gun rally while we’re here, over the weekend, is really uncomfortable.”
Those who marched with guns arrived to the campus around 2 p.m. About 40 minutes later, they were still in the parking lot. Protesters and observers who had gathered in the center of campus grew restless. Finally, at 2:40 p.m., someone shouted “If they won’t come to us, we’ll come to them.” And counter protesters charged into the parking lot, causing the ralliers to begin marching.
The clash between counter-protesters and ralliers, though relatively peaceful, resulted in the arrest of four people.
According to police, the arrests were for disorderly conduct, though one was also charged with assaulting an officer.
Bennett blamed the University for the tense situation, saying that it was because of their reluctance to welcome her.
The University’s president released a statement on Saturday.
“We are open to all who want to come here to express their views, but we will always do everything necessary to safeguard our university community and those who visit us,” Dr. Beverley Warren said.
Bennett has vowed to return to the campus to continue advocating for second amendment rights in the future.
