Kent State University has ordered a former student to "cease and desist" advertising a planned rally in support of the Second Amendment and gun rights, saying the event has not received proper authorization.
In a statement released Wednesday, KSU claims recent graduate Kaitlin Bennett—who made headlines back in May after posting graduation photos of herself on campus openly carrying an AR-10 firearm—did not register the event or obtain proper approvals required by school policy, including an official student organization or university department as a sponsor. Bennett herself is scheduled to host the rally (scheduled for Sept. 29 at Risman Plaza), which was to feature multiple speakers and even be live-streamed online.
Bennett took to Twitter to express her frustration, saying Kent State has "no right to keep gun owners from legally gathering on campus" (Guests are allowed to open carry on campus, although students are not). She also pledged to move forward with the event, regardless of the school's order.
WKYC later reached out to Bennett, who claims she university officials were uncooperative after she attempted to speak with them about the event. Adding the school is trying to "nit-pick," she also says she does not need what they are asking for and followed the exact same procedures for a similar event held on campus last spring as she is now. Back then, she was met with no resistance.
"This is proof that colleges have a liberal bias," she told us. "It has to stop."
KSU seemed to push back on those accusations in its own statement, writing, "Consistent with our core values, we encourage open dialogue, freedom of expression and respectful discourse in an inclusive environment."
Since her initial Twitter photos, Bennett has become a polarizing figure: While some have praised her and her advocacy, others have attacked her, including actor Jim Carrey.