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I received numerous texts and calls from friends and family immediately after the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. It was a moment I struggled to accept.
This incident struck deeply. Between 2017 and 2019, I was involved in campus leadership for Turning Point USA at the University of Utah, representing the organization at various events nationwide. These experiences not only helped me build a strong network of peers—many of whom are still close friends—but also laid the groundwork for my career in public policy and journalism, as well as my commitment to conservative values.
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My friends and I often faced backlash for our Christian and conservative beliefs at the University of Utah, which is generally more liberal and susceptible to political violence than UVU. However, Kirk’s murder highlights the alarming extent of political polarization and violence in America.
His death is not only a loss for those who knew him but also a stark reminder of the risks faced by anyone who speaks out in today’s political environment. I am thankful to have known him and to witness the impact of his work across the nation.
I even played a role in bringing Kirk to UVU in 2019. At that time, there was no hint of violence—just spirited debate and conversations in the campus hallways. While some people shouted at him, peaceful protestors outside his event remained silent.
Little did we know that six years later, he would lose his life on that very campus.
Back then, disagreements were confined to discussions and protests—sometimes loud, but never lethal. Today, we are in a time when political differences can spiral into violence, which should concern every American, regardless of their beliefs.
During my tenure with TPUSA, I advocated for campus free speech protections in the Utah State Legislature alongside former Utah House Representative Kim Coleman, ensuring that future students could express themselves without fear of censorship or retaliation. I also challenged unjust campus policies that limited free speech.
These efforts aligned with Charlie Kirk’s mission—empowering young people to boldly advocate for their beliefs and demonstrating that free expression must never be suppressed. It was about more than just enacting laws or altering policies. The lessons I learned remain with me, especially now as we mourn Kirk’s senseless loss.
In addition, I served as a student reporter for the conservative outlet Campus Reform, revealing attacks on conservatives at the University of Utah. TPUSA and similar organizations provided me with the support necessary to continue these important stories.
Surprisingly, reporting the truth occasionally landed me in trouble with the Student Conduct Office at the University of Utah. Without free speech and press freedoms, I would not have been able to expose the bias and hostility many students faced for their beliefs. Kirk was instrumental in helping me understand this as a young reporter.
Kirk’s death should serve as a wake-up call for America, illustrating that when we allow political disagreements to devolve into hatred, we all suffer. If we don’t restore a culture of debate over destruction, more lives will be lost, and the freedoms he championed will continue to diminish.
My thoughts are also with his wife, Erika, and their two children. Their loss is profound, and no words can adequately express the sorrow of losing a husband and father in such a tragic manner. I can’t imagine what it would be like for my son to lose his father or for me to lose him to political violence.
No child should endure the absence of a parent due to someone else’s hatred. Every act of political violence leaves behind children, spouses, and families bearing a burden they never asked for.
Kirk’s death must signify more than just a period of mourning; it must be a rallying cry for our nation. This is not merely an assault on Kirk; it is an attack on all of us. It threatens free speech, the ability to disagree without fear, and the values that unify our country.
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When bullets replace discourse, the very foundation of free expression—the cornerstone of our democracy—begins to disintegrate.
Now is not the moment to retreat; it is time to stand firm, defend what is right, and honor the legacy that Kirk left behind. We are at a pivotal juncture in our country.
Frances Floresca is a policy analyst and commentator.
