For several years, uninvited visitors have invaded the Kutztown University campus community, often spouting hateful rhetoric and trying to incite violent responses which they film and use to rev up their base and raise money for their hateful causes. Because Kutztown University supports freedom of speech, we cannot throw them off campus or hide them from view. But that doesn't mean we can't come together and strongly support the people the uninvited visitors are attacking.
The best response to these unwanted visitors is to turn your back and walk on by. When these visitors are on campus, we will set up our own PLEDGE TO STOP HATE rally that supports our own community members who are being targeted by the uninvited visitors. We will share information about how these uninvited visitors are using the negative reactions of students. They take videos and raise money from them.
Furthermore, when community members take the PLEDGE TO STOP HATE, pledgers can match the hours that the unwanted visitors are on campus with acts of kindness, community service, and/or donations.
PledgeOne of the frequent uninvited visitors to Kutztown University campus is Aden Rusfeldt. Aden Rusfeldt is a self-pronounced street preacher (self-entitled "Pastor Aden") who is not affiliated with any organized or recognized religion. He has a criminal history. In 2008 he was found guilty of defrauding investors and ordered to pay $2,238,170 in restitution. He was also ordered not to engage in Commodity Trade activity, but he continued to do so illegally for at least another 8 years.[1]
He is not worthy of your attention. Getting angry at a con man like Pastor Aden doesn't do any good because he doesn't actually believe the horrible things he spews. Instead, responding just plays into his game of provoking a reaction so he can monetize it. He is looking for students to attack him so that he can sue the students and/or the university. Failing that, he records the interactions and shares them with followers who give him money to continue to spew his vile message and insult everyone.
The best thing to do is just ignore him and walk on by without even looking at him. But that's hard to do. Another option is to stand facing away from him.
At the PLEDGE TO STOP HATE Rally will be signs such as:
If you feel compelled, take a sign and stand just outside of hearing distance of the uninvited visitor, with your back to him, silently holding your sign. Show him the amount of respect that he shows others (which means none whatsoever).
For more information about Aden Rusfeldt, check out these sources:
Daniel Stafford
CJ Rhoads
Vicki Meloney
Eric Johnson
Curtis Herr
Jennifer Schlegel
Theresa Shaton
Susan Czerny
Colleen Clemens
Dale Parson
Donna DeMarco
Tabetha Bernstein
Brooks Emerick
Glenn Richardson
Karen Wanamaker
Mahfuzul Khondaker
Donavan McCargo
Aimee Adams
Jerry Schearer
Jennifer Hanson
Arian Hungaski