(NEW YORK) — PEN America condemned the killing today of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA. Kirk was shot and killed while giving a speech at Utah Valley University.
“The killing of Charlie Kirk today while speaking at a university is horrific. Political violence has no place in our democracy, and campuses must be safe spaces for dialogue across a wide range of political views. All Americans must reject violence as a response to speech. Ideas must be met with debate and not bullets.”
PEN America works to ensure campuses, both public and private, defend free speech and open inquiry robustly, and keep their platforms accessible to a wide variety of ideas and opinions.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057