The September 10 assassination of right-wing “influencer” Charlie Kirk was an attack on free speech of the most serious and dangerous kind. It should be unequivocally condemned. Kirk’s murder served up an excuse on a silver platter for the Trump administration and its allies to accelerate their assault on democratic rights. The White House is now using the horrendous killing to propel Trump’s drive toward autocratic rule.

[In my opinion, this is an outstanding article, even if a bit long.]

No matter how odious one’s ideas, eliminating an opponent in an act of violence does nothing to advance the cause of justice. It sets back every effort to win public opinion to defend democracy, which is preferable to any kind of dictatorial rule. Those who celebrate Kirk’s death play straight into the hands of the forces of reaction who are doing everything in their power to strip working people of our right to express ourselves freely and to organize to defend our interests.