Political figures in Massachusetts and the city of Worcester, condemned the slaying of conservative activist and Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk during an event at a Utah university.
U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, said shortly after the shooting, in a posting on the social media platform X: “This horrific act of gun violence is disgusting and unacceptable.
“We can disagree strongly, intensely, vehemently — but violence is never, ever, ever the answer.”
Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty tweeted: “Today, what happened to Charlie Kirk is beyond tragic. Our country is built on the promise of freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the ability to disagree without fear. That promise was not honored today. In moments like this it is easy to focus only on politics, but we must remember the human side of this tragedy. Charlie was more than a political figure. He was a husband, a father, and a son. He leaves behind a family that loved him, and no disagreement, no matter how deep, can ever justify or excuse violence. We will not always share the same views. What makes our democracy strong is the commitment to protect the right of every American to speak, to be heard, and to live in safety.”
District 5 City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, who has spoken out in the past about being the target of threats of violence, expressed dismay while also referencing the fatal shooting in June of Melissa Hortman, the former Democratic speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband, John.
“I don’t give a damn what political affiliation one is, political assassinations are cowardly, unacceptable, vile,” Haxhiaj tweeted. “Charlie Kirk didn’t deserve to be assassinated just like the former speaker & her husband in MN didn’t either. But we all moved past that real quick. Sickening.”
Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, tweeted: “Violence of any kind is inexcusable, and today’s tragedy is beyond unimaginable for his family, friends, loved ones, and supporters. Today is a dark day for our nation.”
Massachusetts Gov. Maura T. Healey, tweeted: “Violence has no place in our politics — ever. What happened to Charlie Kirk is horrific and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. The growth of political violence in our country must be stopped.
“I’m holding the Kirk family in my heart and praying that the individual responsible is brought to justice.”
