Why Charlie Kirk will become a martyr for free speech

By

Billy Merrin, Founder & Editor-in-Chief

On Wednesday, at 12.20 pm MDT (18.20 UTC), Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University while doing his usual debates on various topics with university students.

This article will not go into the depth of who the perpetrator was of this political murder, as at the current time of writing, the assassin has not been found by American police forces. However, this article will go into the legacy Mr Kirk will leave, his impact, particularly in growing Conservative Judeo-Christian values with young people across the United States.

I first want to speak about the reaction from across the Western media, the many messages from politicians and commentators alike mourning the loss and even greater showing their sympathies to the victim and his grieving family and friends. This is truly great to see, that so many have been outraged by this killing as I am; however, the few that I'm sure we've seen celebrate his murder, or not even show an inch of sympathy, are sickening. From what we saw yesterday, it should remind us humans that no matter our political views or lifestyle choices that we should still respect each other, love one another and not show anger or hatred.

Charlie Kirk, from what I saw, always believed in the ideals of free speech. His campus debates, speaking to students across the nation who frequently disagreed with him, showed that some parts of our free society and democracy in the West are working. These are the values that not just he stood for, but I believe most of the populations of the West stand for. The reaction from Dean Withers, who had some famous debates with Charlie Kirk, really showed me the thoughts and qualities of the man. Withers, who is strongly anti-Trump and anti-Kirk (in political beliefs) could not hold back the emotion when hearing the terrible news about Kirk. This reaction also affirms his belief in free speech; while the two men disagreed, it showed that he still respected him and had a deep sorrow for his family and friends.

This murder should not be used for political martyrdom; it should serve as a memory to know what the cost is when people who do not agree with our freedoms, none more so than our freedom to speak, debate and exchange ideas. However, Kirk's political views will live on; the Judeo-Christian values are not limited only to Kirk, and I hope that our open and free political debates continue, with both sides of the political spectrum, while maybe disagreeing, will be able to not silence one another, but uphold the right to mix ideas as our democracies are meant to do.

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