By SUSAN JONES
Conservative commentator Michael Knowles — whose 2023 appearance at the University of Pittsburgh sparked protests and the arrest and conviction of two people who set off smoke bombs and fireworks outside the venue — is coming back to the Oakland campus on April 7.
The event at 7 p.m. April 7 at the O’Hara Student Center is sponsored by Pitt College Republicans and Young Americans for Freedom.
“We are keeping the momentum of our club rolling post-election,” said Julia Cassidy, president of Pitt College Republicans. She said Knowles was interested in coming back to Pitt.
The University said in a statement: “"The event in question is hosted by a registered independent student organization — not the University of Pittsburgh. Registered student organizations are permitted to invite outside speakers of their choosing to campus if they follow University guidelines and the law. Student organization use of Pitt property is not an institutional endorsement of the event or the speaker’s expressed viewpoint.”
At the 2023 event, Knowles participated in a debate with libertarian journalist Brad Polumbo on the question “Should transgenderism be regulated by law?” Cassidy said the topic of his talk this time has not been decided, but it will include a question and answer session.
More than 150 people were protesting outside the O’Hara Student Center on April 23, 2023, when Brian DiPippa ignited and dropped two homemade incendiary smoke devices in and around a line of people waiting to enter the building for the debate, according to court records. When police officers formed a barrier to prevent protesters from entering the rear of the building, Brian, concealed by his wife Krystal DiPippa, ignited and threw a large explosive firework into the group of officers, causing a loud explosion and injuries to several officers.
The DiPippas, of Regent Square, both pled guilty to obstructing law enforcement and were ordered pay restitution of $1,400 to the University of Pittsburgh and $47,284 to a Pitt Police officer for financial damages the officer suffered from injuries caused during the incident. Brian DiPippa also was sentenced in January to five years in prison.
Cassidy, the Pitt College Republicans president, said they have met with Pitt administration and police, “and all parties involved are committed to ensuring safety. We look forward to hosting a productive, insightful event.”
She also said that the group received no money from Student Government Board allocations to host the event.
After the 2023 event featuring Knowles, Pitt initially charged Pitt’s College Republicans and the Intercollegiate Studies Institute a security fee of $18,734. Pitt lalter rescinded the security fee after getting push back from the groups.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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