Opinion: Rittenhouse Not Welcome in Florence, Y'all

When I think of the city I have called home for much of my life, I can't help but think about the times I've been gone, and the longing I felt to return as soon as possible.   As I interview citizens, political candidates, business owners and visitors for the columns I publish, I find an overwhelming sense of pride in a pattern that has presented itself - every person I interview defends Florence as a friendly, safe, welcoming, and accepting community.

The city of Florence is truly a melting pot of society. Residents welcome visitors from every faith, race, nation, orientation, belief system and walk of life – as one of our own.  We have a strong immigrant community and as one - we work together to end violence, to keep our neighbors safe, and we encourage each other to be our best selves.  On Wednesday, our community will face an unwelcome visitor, with the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse, at a fundraiser for State House Candidate TJ Roberts.

Rittenhouse was found not guilty of murdering two individuals during the 2020 civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Only 17 years of age at the time, Rittenhouse claimed self-defense when charged with the murders.  Now, hailed as a 2nd Amendment Hero, Rittenhouse appears at political events across the nation, lobbying for gun rights.

So, why has TJ Roberts decided to bring Rittenhouse to Florence?  Because the Metropolitan Club made the wise decision to refuse hosting the event.  The candidate aspiring to represent all citizens of District 66, is bringing the most controversial gun advocate in the world to a city that recently suffered unspeakable tragedy - in the form of a mass shooting, which resulted in four murders.

Mr. Roberts cannot be blind to the fact the division this event will sew in our community.  One can only surmise that he does not care.

Wednesday will no doubt feature protests. The anger and frustration with the selection of a local BBQ establishment as their host location has already caused great concern for the owner and employees – in the form of verbal threats.   How much can our community withstand? Will our city face protestors and violence from outside organizations? Thursday’s sunrise will bring answers; however, the spectacle could be avoided if the event were canceled.

Tracing the record of hate Mr. Roberts has left behind for public consumption, his choice to associate with Rittenhouse is not a shock to anyone. However, the role of a State Representative, or anyone asking for your vote, should be to unite citizens, to be a role model for the community, to cast out division and hate, to safeguard their constituents from potentially perilous demonstration, and …to advocate for peace.

Mr. Roberts has made a poor choice – not his first. Kyle Rittenhouse was only a child when he was allowed to carry a weapon of war to a city he did not call home, leading to the death of two human beings. Regardless of whether self-defense was a worthy defense, we should all agree on a few basic facts; Rittenhouse had no business being in Kenosha that night, he had no business carrying a weapon of war, and he deserved to have an adult in his life to protect him from such a tragic,  self-inflicted and life-changing event.

Mr. Rittenhouse, you were found not guilty – that in itself does not bestow upon you the honor of being labeled a “hero.”  In our community, heroes serve the public with honor; they defend our schools, they deliver meals to the elderly, they work to unite the divided.  You say your goal that August night was to protect and defend the community of Kenosha.  Your actions have consequences, sir.  Today, one of those consequences is the citizens of Florence, protecting and defending the city we call home, by asking you to stay away.