Is Speech Truly Free?
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Is Speech Truly Free?
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(The Center Square) – Political activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination at an Utah college on Wednesday has drawn a renewed call for security measures to protect individuals across college campuses and in public forums. The fatal shooting also raises concerns about freedom of speech on campuses and elsewhere.
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Kirk, the founder of the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, was killed on the first stop in his “American Comeback Tour,” an event where he engaged attendees on political issues.
“Join Charlie Kirk on campus for a lively discussion of Freedom and America! Don’t agree with Charlie? Great, you go to the front of the line,” a TPUSA social media post reads.
The reactions following Kirk’s death have reverberated throughout the nation, with sympathies pouring in from elected officials across the world.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told reporters on Thursday that she does not plan to host any public or outdoor events in the wake of Kirk’s killing.
“I am deeply concerned for my safety,” Mace said. “I don’t care if you are Republican or Democrat – any elected official across the country – if you are vocal, your life is at risk.”
“I will not be doing any outdoor events anytime soon, we will not be doing any public events anytime soon until we have a better handle on greater security controls,” Mace said.
Robert Sibley, special counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, said Kirk’s shooting represented a threat to free speech on college campuses.
“His killing seems deliberately designed to dissuade people from engaging in that kind of open debate,” Sibley said.
Carrie Lukas, president of political advocacy group Independent Women, said Kirk’s shooting highlights a recent trend of political violence and threats to freedom of speech in the United States that makes her concerned.
In June, the Independent Women’s Forum held its “Her Game, Her Legacy” bus tour that focused on transgender participation in sports. Lukas recalled incidents of vandalism and times when her organization’s events have been disturbed by trespassing individuals or protesters.
Victoria Coley, vice president of communications at Independent Women, said these events are becoming common for conservative political groups.
“There tends to always be some level of threat that our security detail has to look into,” Coley said. “That is something that groups who are center or center right are facing.”
Research from the Cato Institute shows politically motivated violence accounted for 3,599 deaths in the United States between 1975 and today. Eighty-three percent of those murdered are attributed to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Lukas said she will be increasing security measures for future events the Independent Women’s Forum hosts in the future. The increased focus on security might alienate some people from hearing her organization’s messages, Lukas said, but she considers the precautionary measures to be more important.
“The reaction to this can’t be that we stop having public events,” Lukas said. “You don’t want to have to create a bunch of barriers to people attending those events. There’s going to be a lot more reticence to have events of this size, because it’s going to be a real big concern for everybody moving forward.”
Lukas said a larger conversation on freedom of speech is important to have in the wake of Kirk’s killing.
“We absolutely have to stay committed to the right of terrible people to say terrible things,” Lukas said. “But we have to have a very clear understanding of what is no longer protest and what is no longer a part of speech.”
Free speech on college campuses, like where Kirk was, remains a contentious issue in the aftermath of mass protests across the country over the Israel-Hamas war.
Students held encampments in public spaces, barricaded libraries and vandalized buildings on colleges. Lukas said this violence, barricading and destroying of property crosses the line of free speech.
“Your right to free speech stops well before you are ruining public spaces for others,” Lukas said. “We can’t indulge and excuse all bad behavior under the name of peaceful protest.”
In an apparent crackdown on protest behavior, around 80 students at Columbia University were reportedly expelled or arrested.
“Disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences,” the university wrote in a May statement.
The university also made a deal with the Trump administration to withhold pulling of federal funds in response to its handling of last year’s protests and treatment of Jewish students on campus.
Sibley said he expects college campuses to be more proactive in allowing students to express political views and hosting events like Kirk’s in the future.
“Colleges and universities have spent a lot of time and effort over the last 30 years telling students about the value of tolerating people with different identities,” Sibley said. “It’s time to put that level of effort into explaining why it is so important to be willing to listen to and engage with people who have viewpoints you find objectionable rather than finding some way to silence them.”
“Campuses need to do everything they can to make it possible for people like Charlie Kirk to continue to come to campus and engage with others, and should dedicate whatever resources are necessary to make that possible. Murderers must not get a veto over who may speak on our nation’s campuses,” Sibley added.
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This article was originally published at The Center Square. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
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Very understandable concern. No one wants to be shot. All politicians and public speakers need to have a clear bullet proof shield in front of them when speaking. Especially after what happened to President Trump and now Charlie Kirk!! People around the world mourn greatly for Charlie, a wonderful young brilliant Christian man. He will be greatly missed! Should never have happened. God Bless Charlie Kirk. God Bless his wife Erika, children and his family.
Rep. Nancy Mace is allowing fear to guide her response. To say that canceling public events is the answer is irrational. The answer is correcting the belief of intolerance and the teaching that difference of opinion is personal slander rightfully resulting in murder. Cowering in the face of violence and chaotic opposition over the last ten years (looking at the George Floyd, the Summer of Love, and the corruption of the COVID years) is what got us into this mess. She may not have faith to lean on, however, her position is one of leadership. Our leadership must not cave to violent rhetoric any longer, rather stand against it and push for a better future. A civilian died fighting for a better future for our nation because our leaders wouldn’t speak up and did nothing to help. The least our leaders can do now is stand up for him and see his efforts through. Those that want to cower should graciously step down and out of office. Now is the time for courageous leadership. I’m praying for that.
I appreciate what Nancy Mace has reported, however I disagree that anyone is shooting at democrats or liberals. All of the bullets and threats and demonstrations in the American streets are coming against conservatives and Republicans. Sadly the democrats get away with lies stating that President Trump and all of us are fascists and nazis. That we are Hitler. Those claims are lies and ridiculous except to insane people from democrats and liberals who use those words to think that it is ok to do harm to us! FATHER GOD please “strive with them that strive with me, and fight against them that fight against me and other conservatives in JESUS MIGHTY NAME! Amen!
It may feel that way, Roberta, but Democrats have also been killed. This kind of radical and extreme hatred and fear should not be leveled at anyone, regardless of their political stance. Premeditated murder is wrong, period!
? BECOMES IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH FREE WHEN ITS PAID FOR. SUCH AS PAID PROSTERS. THEY ARE NOT EXERCISING FREE SPEECH, THEY ARE SELLING IT TO A BUYER. WHERE IS THE LINE DRAWN. YOU CANNOT YELL FIRE IN A CROWDED THEATER.
SPEECH = WORDS, FLAG IS A SYMBOL, NOT A WORD, BURNING THE FLAG IS NOT SPEECH, IT IS VANDALISM. PROVE ME WRONG
“Greater is He, who is in us than he who is in the world.”
I heard a colleague of Charlie’s say that he had mentioned to him (Charlie) that he should consider having a glass enclosure, but Charlie thought that it would be a barrier to the people.
I also heard a report (only once) that Charlie was wearing a bullet-proof vest & the bullet hit it then ricocheted to his neck (haven’t been able to verify that).
That didn’t happen. An expert marksman shot him cleanly through his jugular vein or carotid artery. The main artery in our body that feeds blood to our entire body. He was dead instantly upon contact. America and the world are about to have an enormous revival however because of that shooting.
I am deeply grieved by this heinous act of murder against a young man so devoted to our Lord and Savior. However, in his martyrdom, I do believe the Kingdom will be increased in at least two ways – it will embolden the true body of Christ, and result in a great harvest. We say that we believe as Charlie did, that our rights are given to us by God – “We are endowed by Our Creator with certain inalienable rights.” – then let’s act like it! It is not the state that gives us freedom of speech, and it is not the state that can take it away. This is a holy hint, I believe, that we are living in a Joel 2 and Acts 2 moment in history. Let’s respond in kind. A full read of Acts 4 would be good, but these verses should suffice to drive my point home:
Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Act 4:18-21 So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua.
But Kefa (Peter) and Yochanan (John) answered, “You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God.
As for us, we can’t help talking about what we have actually seen and heard.”
They threatened them some more but finally let them go . . .
Act 4:29-31 “So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness!
Stretch out your hand to heal and to do signs and miracles through the name of your holy servant Yeshua!”
While they were still praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and they spoke God’s message with boldness.
You will be missed, Charlie! A warrior for Christ, wise beyond his years! He was outspoken on not only his faith but defending western values specifically. He cared about the youth and he fought to protect all of our rights! He knew western civilization is under attack and he was successfully working on stopping it! He was doing kingdom work and was publicly executed for it. Praying for his sweet family and for his legacy to endure!
I am praying for Charlie Kirk family and all the people that his life and mission touched. I pray that rallies and other political events be held indoors. Everyone attending should have to pass through a metal detector prior to being admitted. More stringent security is obviously necessary, especially when in light of the assassination attempt on President Trump, and this horrific murder of Charlie Kirk. Most importantly, I hope and pray that the murderer gets the death penalty. He earned it by his actions. Perhaps we need to look seriously at bringing back public hangings. It might just give people cause to pause before committing such heinous acts.
I have been praying for the defendant, if he is going to be found guilty of this crime, not to receive the death penalty but rather life in prison. He is still so young. It would be more important to pray for him to accept the Lord Jesus as his Savior and to repent. People as young as he is are still quite able to undergo changes and take a right turn. I’m sure Jesus would rather allow him to live so he can come to repentance and trust Jesus as his Savior. What right do you have to kill him?
Bryan, I respectively disagree with you. Jesus wants us to pray for our enemies. It may be hard but it is what we are called to do. God bless, Kim
Brian, I hear you – but can’t agree in regard to giving up outdoor rallies, etc. I believe that is another compromise with the evil intent of this assassination. Our security must be entrusted to YHVH and our obedience to Him – even if we use human experts in making events “as secure as possible”.
In regard to the death penalty, it is Biblical and therefore completely appropriate in the case of premeditated murder. I’m praying for his salvation, because YHVH desires that none perish. And that Erika is able to forgive him – because that protects her relationship with the Lord. But if he is truly saved and repentant, he should request the death penalty be carried out. That would be honoring to the Lord.
Mary Beth,
I won’t get into the argument of death penalty or no death penalty. But I respectfully disagree with you and agree with Brian that these outdoor events are just too much for security, especially if you’re not even having the expertise of Secret Service. I am a firm believer in trusting God and not giving into fear, but I also think we have to use common sense that God gave us, and until we can figure out some kind of way to do this where the chances are greatly reduced, there is nothing wrong in my estimation of having indoor event only. Most of these colleges have a large stadium and if they don’t, maybe events should be held in the largest place possible nearby, but right now there has to be more measures taken, such as metal detectors, the glass partition I mentioned in an earlier post, and anything else.
Even President Trump stopped having them outdoors for a while. In fact, I’m not even sure they (rallies) have been outdoors yet, but I could be wrong.
I heard a colleague of Charlie’s say that he had mentioned to him (Charlie) that he should consider having a glass enclosure, but Charlie thought that it would be a barrier to the people.
I also heard a report (only once) that Charlie was wearing a bullet-proof vest & the bullet hit it then ricocheted to his neck (haven’t been able to verify that).
Thank you for disagreeing respectfully, Holly. A key word in my comment was “obedience”. I don’t negate the possibility of indoor arenas – but just believe that outdoor should also be considered and decided by God’s leading. He may have His own purposes in either possible venue.
Lord God Almighty, I lift to you America’s Colleges where free speech is encouraged. That it will grow stronger and not be avoided or dismissed, because of this tragedy that occurred at Utah University, where Charlie Kirk was killed. Violence has no place in this country. Violence has no place in Universities and Colleges. Father God, attend to your children who cry out loudly for protection against evil people who cannot use civilized ways to voice their differences and resort to violence. Place your Guardian Angels around each event and stop those who want to harm. Anoint and use the security agencies to catch and detain assassins like the one who disposed of Charlie. May your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And lead us to fulfill what’s our Constitutional Right without fear. In Jesus’ name, by His Blood, and the Power of the Holy Spirit, I pray unto You, Lord. Amen!
Amen Manuel Roca!
Tyler Robinson who killed Charlie Kirk is a right winger but is importantly a far right winger who is a fanboy of Nick Fuentes and fellow groypers.
Groypers, a nickname rooted in an alt-right meme, are anti-Israel, anti-immigrant, anti-transgender, anti-civil-rights, anti-democrats and have gained new prominence during Trump’s second term.
There truthfully is no such thing as transgender. The idea is Satanic and a lie. God made male and female. Anything else is confusion and grandstanding.
Wow, so apparently, that is EXACTLY how the shooter felt and you want to make it clear to everyone that you are in clear alignment with the shooter and people are clicking away at the amen button. Interesting.
Lord I pray You would release a massive outpouring of the Spirit and Power of Elijah. Send forth the Heavenly horses of fire. Raise up Elishas and Jehus to destroy Jezebel’s woke witchcraft in Politics, Media, and Accademia. Empower Your Truth with fire and the righteous to be bold as Lions. May demonic powers be trampled under the wheels of Your Chariots. Your Word is the Highest Authority in the Universe and nothing can stop it. Satan made a huge mistake here. On a practical note, Lord raise up Security people who can help keep our speakers safe. We will not let you down Charlie Kirk🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Lord God Almighty, you are the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. You turn the hearts of ‘kings’ as one would divert irrigation streams – under your control. You also ask us to pray, confessing our sins and the sins of our nation, turning from our wicked ways. Only then can we have true peace and healing. All we like sheep have gone astray. Lord,, we are distressed, angered, and appalled at the wickedness and violence we are seeing too often in our midst. We pray that we also will be likewise about or own disobedience and our own stubborn hearts and faithlessness! We pray that you will powerfully use these horrendous events to turn our hearts toward you. We also pray that you will use them to impress upon those who have believed the lies of the devil so that they have believed that what is evil is good and what is good is evil. Lord, the god of this world has blinded their eyes so that they cannot see and understand the glorious Gospel of salvation that you are offering freely to all who will repent and believe on Jesus Christ. Lord save! Lord have mercy! Lord send revival into our hearts and that of our countrymen. Without you we can do nothing. But, greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world. We declare it and we believe it! Give us courage and wisdom that we may obey you day by day an uplift your Name in our world. Grant that we may be faithful to be your people in a crooked and perverse world. We wait upon you and we praise you! In the name of Jesus.. Amen!
Amen, Don!
Father in the name of Jesus. We rise up in the power and the authority of the Kingdom of God. We will not be silent, no! We will open our mouths wide and declare the truth in Jesus name. You have not given us the spirit of fear. We will be those who fear God and not man. Charlie Kirk’s legacy will live on throughout generations and they will continue to declare God’s Word boldly and courageously. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
Lord, we know your Word tells us we will be persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and that if we are, we are blessed.
However, in a nation which prides itself on individual liberties and the freedom to engage in public debate on controversial topics, I pray this incident will have the opposite of the perpetrator’s intended effect.
Instead of silencing voices that speak the truth in love, I pray each and every person who loves you and your truth will gather to pray and speak without fear.
Lord, we know where we are headed even if we are martyred for our faith, and we must not allow fear, the enemy’s greatest tactic against human beings, to win the day.
Please grant each of us winsome and wise speech as we engage with those who hate you, and please confuse the enemy’s plans by replacing fear with boldness and courage.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Heavenly Father, we the body of Messiah, repent for years of not standing boldly for truth and
righteousness. Forgive us for our silence. Forgive us for walking in fear and not trust in You. Forgive us for not standing with our young people like our dear brother Charlie Kirk has. Forgive us for not putting Your Kingdom first through demostration of our faith with truth, love and compassion as our brother Charlie has. Thank You Father for our brother Charlie Kirk who represented to us what a true overcommer in the faith looks like. He overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the word of his testimony, and loved his life not unto death. Today help us Holy Spirit to surrender our lives to your call to live out the great commission of our Lord Yeshua for the broken, hurting, and lost souls of this world. To continue to intercede faithfully for our youth to be mighty Kingdom Warriors You are calling them to be. Father raise up an army of millions of youth across the world to live boldly and well just as our brother Charlie did! In the most Holy name of Yeshua amen. 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but (He has given us a spirit) of power and love and of sound judgement and personal discipline (abilities that result in a calm, well balanced mind and self control).
Father, like a seed falling to the ground, may Charlie Kirk’s life, work and martyrdom produce an innumerable amount of Christ loving, like minded, truth speaking, patriotic, fearless ‘warriors’ for Your Kingdom – empowered by Your GRACE to overcome evil with good.
Let us declare Romans 12:21 that we “will not be overcome by evil, but will overcome evil with good.”
I’m not making comparisons….. but aren’t we all glad our Savior didn’t listen to security advisors who may have suggested he tone his message to suit ALL listeners or be silent !!
Enforce the laws on those who break them instead of refusing to hold events that some paid evil activists disagree with. All these so called peaceful non profits that organize these hateful protests should have the leaders investigated and if found guilty of inciting the evil violence then be removed. So sad that I have not heard any condemnation of this murder that these organizations instigated by their violent rhetoric. We need to return to God’s will for us. With God we will defeat satan’s evils. May the Holy Spirit encourage and strengthen thousands to speak boldly God’s will as did Charlie Kirk. I trust in God. 🙏😇🙏
First off pretty sad state of affairs that President Trump had to go in and lay the law down to these universities in order for them to do something. It all speaks for itself.
Importantly, I think it’s time that all people who make political speeches and meet face-to-face with the public start having the same safety measures as the president does vis-à-vis bulletproof glass over the whole part of where they are talking – at least it’s some kind of measure and more than just a bulletproof vest. We have to face the fact that everyone who makes political and or faith statements are in severe danger in this country and need to take way more measures now, such as the bulletproof glass partition, and anything else they can do. Any commentators that are going out on a tour should have that in place before going out to tour, and for now think twice about meeting personally with people like a meet and greet. We can say all we want about not letting fear win and you shouldn’t if you are a God fearing person but right now we have to think about how bad things are and take measures-just common sense.
I believe this movement on behalf of Charlie Kirk will set America on a new path to bring God’s kingdom here on earth. Lord here my prayer!
ITS ABOUT CLOSING OUR BORDERS-REMOVING ILLEGALS-AND NON-CITIZEN FOREIGNERS WHO DONT BELIEVE IN AMERICAN RULE OF LAW!!! THEY ARE THE ONES DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY!
ITS ABOUT LAW AND ORDER IN THIS COUNTRY-THEN IT WOULD BE SAFE TO ATTEND UNIVERSITIES?💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
If we keep quiet the enemy wins! Always speak the truth in love.
Matthew 28:18-20.
We cannot make disciplines if we do not speak.
I and thankful for the comments so far about standing strong for what we believe. We cannot allow the mentality. of people who would tell us we have to tone down truth so that we don’t “ruin.” a public space for people who do not like the truth or the message of Christianity, and how we should live in this world.. That is not what Charlie Kirk stand for.. He refused to compromise his message for anyone because he knew it was true and he knew it was the only message that will work in this world.. Watering down truth so that it is “easier for people to swallow is a bad idea. Charlie refused to do that and I pray that Turning Point never does either Charlie Kirk was following in the footsteps of Christ; first and foremost; that was what took prority, and it is what influenced his “politics. He knew what he was doing, and he knew the risk and he stood firm. He paid a price for what he believed and so did his lovely wife a nd children, but I am convinced that he would not have made any changes; with the exception of maybe better security
May Holy Spirit raise up bold, articulate young leaders ready to speak truth in love across this nations schools and colleges. May a wave of the Holy Spirit sweep through American schools saving and delivering students
As Christians we have to learn to “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1Corinthians 15:58 God directs us to preach the Gospel. He directs us three times in Joshua 1 to “be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 as well as 1:6 and 1:7 We cannot believe only a portion of God’s word we must stand on all of it. God promises that if we lose our life for him, we will gain eternal life Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24 and John 12:25. We cannot let the killing of Mr. Kirk have the effect the devil intended. Instead of silencing Christians in fear, we must band together and SPEAK LOUDER THAN EVER God’s message. We need to keep in mind Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer.” It is time for us to follow Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our faith WITHOUT WAVERING for he who Promised is Faithful.” Stand on his word as he promises protection. “Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am thy God. Yea, I will strengthen thee, I will hep thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 Lets all resolve to not let the devil win. “They overcame him by the word of the LAMB, and the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives unto death.” Revelation 12:11
In absolute agreement, BJP!
God is our protector and strength, we cannot cower in fear, but move forward trusting in him otherwise we let evil win. I watched Erika Kirk’s speech, she is right this is a battle cry to our Lord & Savior. Our weapons are on our knees in prayer. This is the Lord’s battle. May Charlie’s legacy continue to move forward, stronger than ever reaching many for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Correct spelling please
Yesterday, Friday, Sept 12. As usual transport Granddaughter to Rosary High school, Aurora , Il. Attempted to attend Morning Mass Holy Cross , Batavia, Ill. Doors locked. New security system at church. Again the devil wins. We have to react to the killers of children! Now they kill for talking about evil. ( Charlie Kirk).
Is speech really free? Yes. But only for a select few known as the elite.