SE Oakland News

Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, released a statement on Wednesday following the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in Utah. Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University.

Nesbitt described the incident as terrorism and criticized the attack as an assault on American values. "The events that transpired today in Utah can only be described as horrific. It was an act of terrorism, plain and simple," Nesbitt said.

He emphasized Kirk's efforts to promote open discourse on college campuses. "The assassination of Charlie Kirk at the campus of Utah Valley University is yet another violent assault on our American way of life," Nesbitt stated. He added, "Charlie always emphasized that the minute we stop having discourse, the second we stop sharing ideas with each other, despite our differences, is when we will devolve into violence."

Nesbitt highlighted Kirk's approach to engaging with students and defending free speech. "That’s why he went to college campuses and had discussions with the future of our nation. He wanted to show that ideas should be shared and debated, and that no one should be silenced simply because of what they believed," he said.

According to Nesbitt, there were attempts to prevent Kirk from speaking at universities before his death. "People tried to shame Charlie. They tried to kick him off campuses so he couldn’t speak. And, finally, they tried to silence him permanently. Unfortunately, they did," Nesbitt said.

Expressing his personal reaction to the event, Nesbitt stated: "I, as well as most Americans, am overwhelmed with emotions after what we witnessed today. Sadness. Disgust. Anger." He also offered condolences to Kirk's family: "As a father to young children, my heart is shattered for his wife and babies."

Nesbitt concluded by asking for support for Kirk's family: "I call everyone to join in prayer for the well-being of his family, who were robbed of this wonderful man. May God give them the love and strength to make it through this."