We grieve Kirk’s loss especially for his wife and kids, but we do not mourn him.

Making Charlie Kirk a hero is wrong.

Florida NOW Condemns Charlie Kirk’s Anti-Democratic, Anti-Feminist Rhetoric.

Political violence is not acceptable in the US. Demonizing the left however is ridiculous when we don’t know the killer’s motive and we know he was not affiliated with any party. Just to put this killing in perspective and counter the MAGA lies, left wing propensity for violent acts is 33%, right wing extremists is 61%.

Julie Kent, President FL NOW said, “We grieve for Kirk’s family. However, we denounce Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk for a pattern of public remarks that demean marginalized communities and undermine basic democratic values. From labeling transgender rights “a throbbing middle finger to God” to declaring the Civil Rights Act “a mistake. Kirk’s language fuels white-male supremacy, bigotry, and distrust in government institutions.”

A few public statements by Kirk:

• “I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal, it is rational.”
• “Are you comfortable with both London and New York having Muslim mayors? … I think we should have a little bit of caution with that. That doesn’t feel right.”
• “George Floyd was a scumbag—his death was not worthy of the national attention it received.”
• “Birth control really screws up female brains, by the way. Every single one of you needs to make sure that your loved ones are not on birth control. It increases depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.”
• “Martin Luther King Jr. was awful and not a good person.”

“Charlie Kirk statements pose a direct threat to the safety and equality of Floridians. Protecting our rights is critical to America’s democratic future. MAGA’s silencing of people and organizations for comments on Charlie Kirk violates Amendment 1 of our Constitution. Freedom of Speech is a key element of democracy. There is no compromise on this right,” said Debbie Deland, VP FL NOW. She went on to say:

• Transgender Floridians are entitled to bodily autonomy and protection under state and federal law.
• Communities of color should never be treated with suspicion based on faith or ethnicity.
• Access to contraception and reproductive health care is fundamental to women’s equality.
• Honoring civil-rights advances is essential to preserving democracy and combating voter suppression.

Florida NOW is urging:

• Elected leaders at every level to publicly repudiate calls for violence and discrimination, and to enact policies that strengthen civil-rights protections for all Floridians.
• Everyone contact your legislators at state and federal levels to express strong concern for our growing political violence and not to canonize Kirk.