Rep. Sewell Statement on Charlie Kirk Resolution

Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement after voting against a Republican resolution celebrating the political ideology of Charlie Kirk:

"I condemn the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk in the strongest possible terms. There should be no place for political violence in America. All Americans-including Charlie Kirk-should have the right to express their views, however controversial, without fear of violence. I mourn with his wife and children during this painful time.

"If condemning violence was the purpose of today's resolution, it would have my full support. That's why I signed on to a resolution led by Rep. Marc Veasey condemning Charlie Kirk's assassination and all political violence. I would have also supported the Senate resolution which passed unanimously earlier this week. In a clear effort to further divide Americans and Members of Congress, unfortunately, the resolution House Republicans brought to the floor today included divisive language glorifying the viewpoints Charlie Kirk espoused.

"Charlie Kirk called the passage of the Civil Rights Act a mistake. He has repeatedly disparaged the accomplishments of African Americans and insulted our intelligence. He said 'Blacks were actually better off in the 1940s… They committed less crimes.' As a Black woman and the representative of our nation's civil rights district, I cannot vote to celebrate an ideology that runs counter to the values that so many of our fellow Alabamians fought, bled, and died for.

"To be clear, political disagreements never warrant political violence, and I wholeheartedly condemn his murder and all acts of violence in recent years and throughout our history. We can, at the same time, condemn political violence without abandoning our obligation to speak out against ideas that conflict with our values. I call on all our political leaders-including President Trump and Vice President Vance-to stop the inflammatory rhetoric and turn down the temperature.

"My prayers are with the Kirk family and all Americans at this difficult time."

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