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To the student body,

The assassination of Charlie Kirk underscores the dangers of political violence. While his rhetoric spread division and hate, meeting it with violence only deepens the cycle. We must confront harmful ideology with democracy, not bullets. Violence is never the answer: it destroys democracies and pulls us further into fear, anger and mistrust.

If we’re serious about building a more just society, we must confront harmful ideologies through democracy, organizing and truth, not through assassinations. At a time when our nation is already deeply polarized, we must come together across our differences to reject hatred and cruelty in all its forms.

Political violence thrives in a country where guns are everywhere and leaders refuse to act. Gun violence isn’t limited to assassinations or mass shootings; it’s a daily reality in communities across the United States. From children gunned down in classrooms to families shattered in their homes, the human toll is staggering. Each new tragedy sparks outrage, but all too often, that outrage fades while nothing changes. Real reform is long overdue.

Our leaders know the truth: America’s obsession with guns has created an environment where violence is too often the first answer. Easy access to deadly weapons combined with an increasingly toxic political culture is a recipe for more bloodshed.

The responsibility falls on our representatives to act now, to pass legislation that reduces the flow of weapons of war into our neighborhoods, strengthens background checks and ensures that extremists can’t easily arm themselves or others. The nation’s people deserve nothing less than the right to live free from fear of gunfire in schools, churches and public spaces.

What makes this moment even more dangerous is the role of political rhetoric from the highest office in the land. Instead of rising above division, the President of the United States has repeatedly chosen to pour fuel on the fire.

In the aftermath of violence, rather than offering words of unity, Trump blames the left while praising the extreme right. Such rhetoric does not heal, but only deepens the wound. It signals to extremists that their hate has legitimacy, and it frames half the country as an enemy to be defeated rather than fellow citizens.

This isn’t just irresponsible: it’s dangerous. History teaches us that when leaders push extreme nationalist, xenophobic, homophobic, racist or religious fundamentalist views, or give cover to those who do, violence follows.

We’ve already seen the country’s far right use threats and intimidations to push their agenda. By refusing to speak neutrally, by siding with one faction of extremists, Trump isn’t calming tensions but inciting them.

Past presidents, regardless of party, tried to calm the country in moments of national crisis. They spoke to our shared values and common bonds. Trump should learn from his predecessors and rise to the responsibility of his office. The words of a president should bring stability, not chaos.

The office of the presidency carries immense influence. Words from that office don’t just fade away; they echo far and wide. They can inspire hope and solidarity, or they can inflame anger and hate.

At this moment, what America needs is a real leader that can lower the temperature, not raise it. We need someone who condemns violence on all sides, not someone who excuses one side while demonizing the other.

And here at Syracuse University, the stakes are personal. When the president praises extremists, it trickles down to campuses and communities. Words of violence and bigotry too often become acts of violence, and we’re deeply worried about what this climate means for students of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ students and other marginalized communities. Our university can’t be passive. It has to make sure every student feels safe and supported.

This isn’t a partisan issue. Violence and extremist rhetoric endanger all of us. That is why we call on our peers to join us in condemning the president’s praise of the extreme right. Silence only encourages more hate.

If we’re serious about preventing political violence, we need to do two things: end the epidemic of gun violence through meaningful legislation and demand accountability from leaders who use their platforms to normalize hate and division. Students, citizens and leaders across the political spectrum must stand together in saying enough is enough.

We can’t allow any act of political or gun violence to disappear into the background of America’s endless cycle of outrage. We can’t allow kids to grow up believing mass shootings and political assassinations are “normal.” We can’t allow leaders, especially the president, to avoid responsibility by pointing fingers while refusing to confront the extremists in their own camp.

The path forward is clear: Congress must take action on gun violence, the president must stop dividing people and fueling hate and we, as citizens, must commit to rejecting hate and cruelty, wherever it appears. We must stand for democracy, justice and peace. Anything less will only ensure that this cycle of violence continues.

This letter was submitted by College Democrats at Syracuse University. They can be reached at demsatsu@gmail.com.

Published on September 17, 2025 at 7:59 pm