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On Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk, a right-wing political activist, was assassinated while addressing an audience on the campus of Utah Valley University. As part of his tour campaign, Kirk was known for encouraging college students to challenge his conservative viewpoints. This particular event was the first of the 2025 Turning Point USA Tour. Also known as the American Comeback Tour, the tour was designated with various right-wing political activists and government officials including Senator Mike Lee, Tucker Clarson, Meghan Kelly and his wife, Erika Kirk.  

During this event at Utah Valley University, Kirk was engaging with an audience member regarding mass shootings, asking, “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” —a response in line with his characteristic style of questioning. Kirk followed up by adding, “Counting or not counting gang violence,” as captured in a recorded video obtained by CBS News. While responding to the question, Kirk was then fatally shot in the neck and died shortly at a nearby hospital. According to investigators, the gunman was positioned on top of a building, approximately 130 meters away from where Kirk was speaking.  

In recent times, political figures have been more at risk of violence due to the increase in social media influence, political polarization, and even extremist ideologies regarding politics. With the internet increasingly becoming accessible, it has become easier for individuals to express and amplify hostility toward public officials. With the occurrence of online threats, sometimes escalating to physical threats in a nation with accessibility to firearms, there is a growth of violence towards both political figures and everyday people. Freedom of Speech was once encouraged and is now under threat as people are facing consequences that can sometimes be deadly. 

The following day, the alleged shooter, a 22-year-old man, Tyler James Robinson, surrendered himself to the sheriff’s office. This occurred after a 33-hour manhunt and under persuasion from Robinson’s father, according to BBC News. Robinson was charged with various counts related to Kirk’s death: aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. Robinson is being held in custody and not allowed on bail as of Sept. 12, according to BBC NEWS. Currently, Robinson is facing the death penalty if convicted. In the state of Utah, murder is under the classification of a first-degree felony. However, it can be elevated to a capital offense if other factors are included, such as premeditation, multiple victims, or the killing of a public figure, according to Justia U.S. Law. A conviction of aggravated murder can result in the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The attacker in the incident, Robinson, was held for trial on October 10. 

The assassination of Kirk has sparked a lot of controversial opinions, spread through viral videos of the incident on social media. Various people have been fired over comments about Kirk including talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel. ABC announced that it was taking Kimmel’s late night show off the air “indefinitely” after Kimmel stated, “MAGA gang was desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” The show, as of now, is back on the air, and the suspension was lifted after the network spoke with Kimmel, according to NBC News.  

Writer Gerald Bourguet parted ways with PHNX Sports over his social media post regarding the incident. On the social media platform X, Bourguet posted, “Political differences’ are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence. Just so we’re 100% clear on that,” according to Fox News.  

The Carolina football team Panthers fired Communication Coordinator, Charlie Rock after a controversial Instagram post referencing Charlie Kirk’s death. “Your man said it was worth it …,” along with a screenshot of the Wu-Tang Clan song, “Protect Ya Neck.” According to  NY Times,  the Carolina Panthers responded, “The views expressed by our employees are their own and do not represent those of the Carolina Panthers.” . “We do not condone violence of any kind. We are taking this matter very seriously and have accordingly addressed it with the individual.” 

This assassination has been a stress point in American politics regarding freedom of speech. Teachers, professors, public employees, and media figures are currently facing consequences for either praising, mocking, or criticizing Kirk’s murder. One professor from the University of South Dakota is temporarily reinstated after making a post on his private Facebook page stating, “1 Nazi down,” according to The Washington Post. Legal experts are emphasizing that First Amendment protections (in the U.S.) primarily guard against government suppression of speech, not private or institutional discipline.  

This political assassination has shocked the nation and created much ontroversy. Numerous people, ranging from professors to media figures are facing consequences such as suspension or even being fired for negative or positive reactions regarding the incident, making Americans concerned about the right to freedom of speech. Here at UW Bothell, it is important to recognize the power of the student body and our voices. As students, we have the power to promote open conversations and dialogue to protect our future freedom of speech. Whether you agree with Kirk’s political views or not, this all goes to show how powerful speech is and the consequences it may have. Freedom of speech is essential to a democracy, but Americans now question this right when voices are silenced or acts of violence are promoted. 

At UWB, Igniting Liberation Club and Turning Point USA clubs have recently been established by students exercising their rights to free speech. These organizations are ways to get introduced to political activism and have open dialogue through different lenses. The creation of these clubs has had mixed reactions from students due to recent political events and changes. Other campus organizations such as Student Media, student journalism at The Husky Herald, campus activism, or community involvement is a way collective voice has the opportunity to promote inclusion, open dialogues and challenge injustice. It is important during these uneasy times to stay educated, question, listen, and advocate for a world where an exchange of ideas and opinions can be shared freely without fear.