Commentary: Charlie Kirk’s death shows why conservatives fight for free speech

Zach Gardner September 14, 2025 1 min read

Zach Gardner
Daily Princetonian

Excerpt: On Wednesday, prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a college campus, silenced in the middle of a debate with a liberal influencer. The killing was a horrific spectacle, both in its sheer violence and tragic symbolism. It was first a human tragedy, but it was also a tragedy for the idea that politics can, and must, be conducted through reasoned discussion. Here at Princeton, it has reignited the debate over the state and role of free speech on our campus.

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