WASHINGTON, CMC – Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke says she voted “no” on Friday on a Republican-led decision honoring slain right-wing advocate Charlie Kirk.
“I’ll all the time condemn mindless acts of political violence,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the ninth Congressional District in Brooklyn, instructed the Caribbean Media Company (CMC) on Friday. “No American, no matter occasion or ideology, ought to concern retribution or violence for talking freely. Charlie Kirk’s homicide was a horrific act of political violence and a stain on the US, and any nation the place younger kids lose their father solely due to the opinions he espoused is a nation in determined want of therapeutic and a distinct path ahead.
“I lengthen my deepest condolences to the Kirk household, pals, and family members, and I pray for energy and luxury for his spouse, Erika, their two younger kids, and all who mourn his loss,” added the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). “I additionally commend legislation enforcement and the suspect’s household for his or her cooperation in searching for justice for this heinous crime.
“As a Black girl in America, I’m painfully conscious of our nation’s historical past and the violence rooted in bigotry and hate that continues to impression Black and brown communities,” Clarke continued. “And that’s exactly why I can’t in good conscience vote to have a good time Charlie Kirk’s legacy. Mr. Kirk denounced the Civil Rights Act of 1964, describing it as a ‘mistake’ and an ‘anti-white weapon.’
He disparaged the transformative work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who gave his life in pursuit of peace and equality. He demeaned Black girls, together with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and others in positions of management, dismissing their intelligence and accomplishments as nothing greater than ‘DEI hires.’ He additionally unfold disinformation and hate-fueled rhetoric in opposition to Muslim, Jewish, and immigrant communities, whereas championing lax gun legal guidelines regardless of the devastating toll of gun violence in our nation.”
“Relatively than search to heal a wounded union, this invoice goals solely to push us additional aside,” Clarke mentioned. “For these causes, I can’t and won’t vote to honor a legacy outlined by bigotry and division. To take action would dishonor the numerous victims of political violence who’re too typically ignored. If we’re to acknowledge one, we should acknowledge all.”
She mentioned Kirk undoubtedly valued his proper to train the First Modification proper to free speech.
“But, I’m deeply troubled by how this administration has chosen to weaponize free speech, concentrating on critics below the guise of honoring his legacy,” Clarke mentioned. “Free speech is important to our democracy—nevertheless it can’t be used as a defend for hate.
“If my colleagues really feel compelled to move this laws, that’s their choice,” she added. “I’ve paid respects to Mr. Kirk and his household, however I can’t fake to respect the painful phrases and concepts he so proudly held, nor will I honor a person who constructed a profession out of dishonoring folks like me. I, nevertheless, will as an alternative lend my assist to Consultant Veasey and Pettersen’s decision that ‘condemns all types of political violence, together with assassination and tried assassination of public officers, candidates, and public figures, no matter political occasion or ideology.’
“If Republican management is severe about addressing this disaster of political violence slightly than scoring political factors over Democrats, so will they,” Clarke continued.
US Home of Representatives Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries, on Sept. 10, expressed shock over the homicide of conservative activist and shut ally of President Donald J. Trump, Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, who based the right-wing youth activist group Turning Level USA, was fatally shot within the neck on Sept. 10 whereas addressing an occasion at Utah Valley College in Orem.
“I’m shocked by the homicide of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley College,” mentioned Jeffries, who represents the eighth Congressional District that encompasses elements of Brooklyn and Queens.
“Political violence of any variety and in opposition to any particular person is unacceptable and fully incompatible with American values,” he added. “We pray for his household throughout this tragedy.”
Brooklyn Democratic Occasion Chair Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, described Kirk’s killing as “mindless.”
“As we speak’s taking pictures of Charlie Kirk in Utah was a mindless act of violence,” Bichotte Hermelyn, who represents the forty second Meeting District in Brooklyn, instructed CMC. “Regardless of our politics, we should reject violence.
“In a democracy, disagreement ought to by no means result in loss of life,” she added. “I’m horrified by Charlie Kirk’s execution and maintain his family members in deep sympathy and sorrow.”
In a White Home Proclamation, Trump had ordered that “the flag of the US shall be flown at half-staff on the White Home and upon all public buildings and grounds, in any respect navy posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Authorities within the District of Columbia and all through the US and its Territories and possessions till sundown, Sept. 14, 2025.
“I additionally direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for a similar size of time in any respect United States embassies, legations, consular places of work, and different services overseas, together with all navy services and naval vessels and stations,” he added.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox mentioned, “This can be a darkish day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation. “I wish to be very clear, it is a political assassination,” he added.
