Members of the Congressional Black Caucus condemned a bipartisan resolution to memorialize conservative organizer Charlie Kirk on Friday, saying the measure validated Kirk’s beliefs, and legitimized “racist, harmful, and fundamentally un-American” ideals.
In a statement following the House’s approval of the resolution, which received support from more than 90 Democrats, the caucus denounced political violence and the killing of Kirk, but said individuals must condemn violence “without abandoning our right to speak out against ideas that are inconsistent with our values as Americans.”
“The resolution introduced in the House to honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy is not about healing, lowering the temperature of our political discourse, or even ensuring the safety of members of Congress, staff, and Capitol personnel,” they wrote. “It is, unfortunately, an attempt to legitimize Kirk’s worldview — a worldview that includes ideas many Americans find racist, harmful, and fundamentally un-American.”
The caucus outlined some of Kirk’s past comments that they said they “strongly” disagreed with, listing “his belief that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended racial segregation, was a mistake; his denial that systemic racism exists; his promotion of the Great Replacement theory; and his offensive claims about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee lacking adequate cognitive ability.”
Forty-two members of the CBC voted against the resolution, according to a POLITICO analysis of Friday morning’s roll call vote, making up 72 percent of the 58 Democrats who opposed the measure. Five members of the caucus voted yes on the resolution, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Another four members of the caucus voted present and four members didn’t vote at all.
Members of the caucus went on to denounce President Donald Trump’s actions since Kirk’s death, saying he has “threatened to go after the political left.” Trump earlier this week pointed to the “radical left” for doing “irreparable damage to this country,” and members of his Cabinet have made other sharp statements since Kirk’s death, like blaming “left-wing radicals” for the shooting.
“It’s disheartening to see a tragedy used to further divide the country and suppress honest debate,” the caucus wrote. “As the conscience of the Congress, the CBC has a responsibility to speak out against this on behalf of our communities, and we are calling on each of our colleagues who share our values to follow suit. Enough is enough.”
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