Smith Condemns Violence, Hateful Rhetoric After Charlie Kirk Assassination

PUNXSUTAWNEY - State Rep. Brian Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana) issued the following statement in the wake of the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk: "After taking some time to process what happened to Charlie Kirk, I wanted to say a few words about the man who was taken from us, and where we go from here. "Charlie was an incredibly effective political activist who cared enough to listen to, and debate with, anyone. He used words to try to convince people that the conservative ideals he lived by would make this country a better place. These ideals include fiscal responsibility and limited government, some of the values that I share and stick to when I'm representing the 66th District in Harrisburg. "The event Charlie was speaking at when he was killed was designed to provide college students an open forum to ask him questions and challenge him on those beliefs. Instead of speaking to Charlie human to human, someone saw fit to shoot him instead. "Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a series of politically motivated attacks. A few months ago, two state lawmakers in Minnesota were shot. Last summer, a bullet was just inches away from killing President Donald Trump. A few months later, a man was spotted hiding out with a rifle near Trump's golf course. "In fact, a Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) poll from Rutgers University conducted just this year found that 55% of self-identified liberals said an assassination of President Trump would be 'justified.' "I appreciate all the Democrat officials condemning the violence, but condemning the violence after the fact doesn't help very much. It's time for Democrat leaders to tone down the hateful rhetoric. Calling conservatives 'nazis' and saying ordinary conservative ideals are a 'threat to democracy' fuel violent acts like the ones we've experienced recently. Toning down this rhetoric will help lower the temperature and hopefully get us back to a place where Americans can speak their minds without the fear of violence. "Above all, my family and I are praying for Charlie's family. His two children now have to grow up without a father because someone felt that Charlie didn't have a right to live. That's not the America I know and love." Representative Brian Smith 66th District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Jake Gillespie 717.772.9834 https://www.RepSmith.com / Facebook.com/RepBrianSmith

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