The Daily Princetonian
Charlie Kirk’s death shows why conservatives fight for free speech “The killing of Charlie Kirk should make us all reflect on our individual duties to love one another and speak the truth as we can best see it. In the aftermath of his death, people should find renewed zeal for the truth, not fear.”
—Zach Gardner, publisher of The Princeton Tory, in a guest column written for The Daily Princetonian student newspaper at Princeton University, Sept. 14, 2025
St. Augustine Record quoted students at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida
We lost a piece of the First Amendment when he was killed. People, including myself, are going to fear public discourse. People won’t have the freedom to step up to the mic. The events will become regulated to the point of restricted freedom or they won’t happen at all.”
—Jack Tanner, junior
“We can’t keep killing people we disagree with. Lives matter even if the life is lived differently than your own.”
—Olivia Delatorre, 19
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Vanderbilt must stand for free speech
In reflecting on the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, his politics are secondary. He should be remembered for his relentless commitment to critical thought and open forums for free expression. His memory should remind us that defending free speech is perilous, but essential to preserve our American identity and values and prevent us from diving deeper into the darkness of political violence. It is the only way to fight our society’s deep isolation, polarization and vilification of each other. At this crossroads in our history, as individuals and a collective at Vanderbilt, we must take the high road, supporting free speech in every way possible in our lives, on our campus, and, by extension, in this nation.”
—Frederik Schutz, staff writer for the Vanderbilt Hustler at Vanderbilt University, Sept. 15, 2025
Opinion: Charlie Kirk’s death is a threat to campus discourse
“Perpetrators of political violence commit these acts to put an end to speech they dislike. They see an assassination as a legitimate solution to political issues. In reality, all the violence does is intensify existing political animosity, limit genuine forms of political discourse and encourage more extreme violence. The last thing MSU [Michigan State University] needs is a further poisoning of its already toxic political climate.”
—Jack O’Brien, columnist for The State News at Michigan State University, Sept. 15, 2025