Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Charlie Kirk Resolution

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

"Violence has no place in our politics, whether it is the murder of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, or the killing of Charlie Kirk. We must unequivocally reject violence in all its forms. Too many times in our nation's history, political differences have turned to violence - violence that our community, in particular, knows too well from the assassinations of Black leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Medger Evers, and Fred Hampton, among others.

"At the same time, we must condemn violence without abandoning our right to speak out against ideas that are inconsistent with our values as Americans. We strongly disagree with many of the beliefs Charlie Kirk promoted: including his belief that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended racial segregation, was a mistake; his denial that systemic racism exists; his promotion of the Great Replacement theory; and his offensive claims about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee lacking adequate cognitive ability.

"The resolution introduced in the House to honor Charlie Kirk's legacy is not about healing, lowering the temperature of our political discourse, or even ensuring the safety of members of Congress, staff, and Capitol personnel. It is, unfortunately, an attempt to legitimize Kirk's worldview - a worldview that includes ideas many Americans find racist, harmful, and fundamentally un-American.

"In the wake of this tragedy, President Trump has senselessly threatened to go after the political left. The American people are tired of this kind of cynical politics. It's disheartening to see a tragedy used to further divide the country and suppress honest debate. As the conscience of the Congress, the CBC has a responsibility to speak out against this on behalf of our communities, and we are calling on each of our colleagues who share our values to follow suit. Enough is enough."