Stopping Political Violence With Free Speech

"Political violence undermines the sense of safety that's essential to free and open debate. If controversial views inspire murder, then most of us will be reluctant to speak out honestly. Political violence and threats can be a powerful source of self-censorship. We need to end support for political violence of every kind on every side, from this terrible murder to the threats of violence against professors from all sides who express controversial views."

"Political violence also breeds administrative censorship. Many of the campus bans on protests and suspensions and banishments of those accused of misconduct are done using the excuse of fear of violence. Safety becomes a simple defense for every act of repression, and Kirk's murder may be used by campus officials to ban controversial speakers from all sides and to prohibit the kind of public discussion that Kirk was admirably engaged in when he was killed."

"And political violence inspires political censorship, particularly when elected officials are looking for any excuse to suppress their ideological opponents. Donald Trump announced a campaign of retribution against leftists who harshly criticized Kirk: "For years those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country and it must stop right now."

The horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University is an unspeakable crime. Political assassination magnifies harm by undermining the safety necessary for free, open debate. When controversial views provoke violence, individuals face self-censorship and reluctance to speak honestly. Political violence can also justify administrative censorship: campus officials can use fear of violence to ban protests, suspend participants, and prohibit controversial speakers, shrinking public discussion. Elected officials can exploit such violence to pursue political censorship and retribution against ideological opponents. A clear commitment to ending political violence on every side is essential while protecting lawful free expression.

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