For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Contact: Andrew McGinley, amcginley@seventy.org, 215-370-4153
Philadelphia, PA – The Committee of Seventy condemns the shooting that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA. Our democratic system cannot and must not tolerate violence. Every act of political violence undermines civil society, and we call on all to unequivocally reject such actions without hesitation.
The details surrounding this tragedy are still emerging, and we urge restraint from speculation until authorities provide clear information. What is clear is that violence of any kind is unacceptable.
Our condolences go to Mr. Kirk’s family, friends, colleagues, and community. The loss of life in such a senseless manner inflicts profound pain and grief.
This act reflects a troubling trend of escalating political violence and threats in America. Left unchallenged, such attacks erode public trust, silence debate, and endanger the freedoms that sustain our democracy. A healthy democracy depends on respecting discourse, discussion, and debate – even across deep differences – so that citizens can resolve conflicts through words, not weapons.
That work starts with each of us. It means choosing our news sources wisely, reading the full story before we comment or share, and refusing to condone violence in any form. Each of us has a responsibility to take the temperature down in every conversation – whatever our platforms – so we can preserve the respectful debate that keeps democracy strong.
Moments like these remind us of how fragile our civic fabric can feel in the face of violence. We can all be part of the solution by seeking constructive ways to bridge divides and strengthen the democracy we depend on. For those interested, resources are available to support respectful dialogue, civic engagement, and media literacy.