Political violence, free speech and Charlie Kirk
Much is still unknown about the Sept. 10 shooting death of Turning Point USA founder and MAGA podcaster Charlie Kirk at an appearance at Utah Valley University. Since authorities have called it a political assassination, the conversation about political violence seems most pertinent to me.
Recent polling shows that Americans across the political spectrum are overwhelmingly concerned by political violence. Fully 77% of respondents to a Sept. 12 YouGov poll said it’s unacceptable to celebrate the death of a public figure they oppose. While 72% of Americans said political violence is never justified, youth are more likely to reject that notion – with 19% of respondents under 29 saying violence can sometimes be justified, compared with only 11% of Americans overall.
Political violence is still relatively rare, according to the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank. Excluding the 9/11 terrorist attacks, just 620 Americans have been killed by politically motivated attacks in the last 50 years. That includes the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing, which killed 168 people, and the 2016 Pulse night club shooting in Orlando, which killed 49 people. But with Kirk’s shooting, 24 people have already been murdered in politically motivated attacks so far this year, according to the CATO Institute.
In the aftermath of Kirk’s death, some prominent MAGA figures have responded with calls to violence. The same thing happened after the July 2024 assasination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania. But now, like then, Americans’ overwhelming rejection of political violence seems to be winning out. Like I wrote last year: Civil war is a bad idea.
Kirk was viewed by his MAGA fanbase as a champion of free speech, no matter how reactionary or offensive that speech may have been perceived by others. Even so, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has threatened to revoke the visas of foreign nationals who “praise, rationalize, or make light” of Kirk’s death.
Atlanta election updates
Atlanta City Council on Monday voted to appoint mobility and disability advocate Carden Wyckoff to fill Amir Farokhi’s District 2 city council seat. Wyckoff is not running for the open seat on Nov. 4.
Want to find out more about your Atlanta City Council and Board of Education candidates? Check out these upcoming candidate forums taking place in the next couple weeks, including two this week hosted by Abundant Housing Atlanta, that Atlanta Civic Circle Housing Reporter Sean Keenan is moderating. Click the links for locations.
- Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. // City Council District 11 // Abundant Housing Atlanta
- Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. // City Council District 2 // Abundant Housing Atlanta
- Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. // City Council District 12 and School Board District 6 // Georgia ACT
- Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. // City Council District 12 // Adair Park Neighborhood Association
The Georgia Working Families Party has announced a slate of endorsements for city council and school board candidates across the greater metro area. Here’s who they’re backing for the city of Atlanta:
- Royce Mann, Atlanta Board of Education, District 8, At-Large
- Rohit Malhotra, City Council President
- Kelsea Bond, Atlanta City Council, District 2
- Perrin Bostic, Atlanta City Council, District 3
- Jason Dozier, Atlanta City Council, District 4 (incumbent)
- Lilliana Bakhtiari, Atlanta City Council, District 5 (incumbent)
- Nate Jester, Atlanta City Council, District 11
- Antonio Lewis, Atlanta City Council, District 12 (incumbent)
- Eshé Collins, Atlanta City Council, Post 3 At-Large (incumbent)
The Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council released endorsements Monday as well. Notably the association of unions did not endorse in the city council president race between Malhotra and District 11 City Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet. Here’s who they did endorse:
- Michael Julian Bond, Post 1 At-Large (incumbent)
- Matt Westmoreland, Post 2 At-Large (incumbent)
- Eshé Collins, Post 3 At-Large (incumbent)
- Kelsea Bond, Atlanta City Council, District 2
- Perrin Bostic, Atlanta City Council, District 3
- Jason Dozier, Atlanta City Council, District 4 (incumbent)
- Lilliana Bakhtiari, Atlanta City Council, District 5 (incumbent)
- Thad Flowers, Atlanta City Council, District 7
- Charles Bourgeois, Atlanta City Council, District 9
- Andrea Boone, Atlanta City Council, District 10
- Antonio Lewis, Atlanta City Council, District 12 (incumbent)
The next campaign finance disclosure deadline for municipal election candidates is Sept. 30. Early voting begins Oct. 14.
For more information check out our 2025 elections hub.
Runoff underway for hotly contested state Senate special election
Early voting began last Saturday and ends Friday for the suburban Atlanta Senate District 21 runoff to decide who replaces state Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta)., The Trump administration tapped Beach for US Treasurer last spring. For information about early voting locations and hours, click here for Fulton County or here for Cherokee County.
Voters are choosing between Democrat Debra Shigley, who finished first in the Aug. 26 special election with 39.5% of the vote (8,438 votes), and Republican Jason Dickerson, who placed second with 17.4% (3,707 votes). A crowded field of six GOP candidates split the vote in the heavily Republican district. Dickerson clinched the second- place spot in August over Republican Steve West by just 65 votes.
Election Day is Tuesday, Sept. 23. To check your polling place and voter registration visit the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.
Garbage collectors’ strike enters 10th week
Unionized garbage collectors in Cumming are holding steady in their strike against Republic Services, which began July 8 over stalled contract negotiations and unfair labor practices. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters members are demanding better pay and working conditions. Republic Services returned to the negotiating table on July 21, but so far, there’s still no deal.
Mario Guevara now fourth-longest imprisoned journalist in US history
Atlanta journalist Mario Guevara remains jailed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while he awaits a hearing before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and a ruling on his federal lawsuit demanding his release.
Last week Guevara surpassed New York Times reporter Judith Miller’s 85 day imprisonment in 2005 to take her spot as the fourth-longest jailed journalist in US history. Today is his 94th day in custody.
Kenneth Lockett Foundation launches
The Kenneth Lockett Foundation launches today. Named after a Georgia State University student activist and managing editor of the GSU Signal student paper who unexpectedly passed away in 2019 at age 22. The group is founded and led by Gen-Z civic leaders and will promote civic leadership through a funded forty hour per week, 10-week fellowship that embeds students pursuing journalism, law and public service in host institutions. Institutional partners will be announced in October, and fellowship application will open Dec. 15. More information will be provided at the foundation’s website.
WHAT WE’RE READING
House Bill aims to revoke US passports over speech
A new Congressional bill to revoke the passports of Americans accused of aiding or providing material support to terrorists is set for a hearing Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The only Georgian on the committee is US Rep. Rich McCormick, whose North Fulton district includes Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, and Alpharetta.
Critics warn that the bill could be used to deny citizens the right to travel based solely on their speech, according to a report by The Intercept. At issue for free speech advocates is the broadness of the term “material support,” which the bill defines as “the provision of any property, tangible or intangible, or service” – including money, financial services, lodging, training, expert advice or assistance, safehouses, fake IDs, communication equipment, weapons, lethal substances, explosives, personnel, or transportation. Religious materials and medicine are carved out.
What’s more, the bill, introduced Sept. 11 by Florida GOP Rep. Brian Mast, would allow the US Secretary of State to revoke any citizen’s passport if they’ve merely been charged and not convicted of aiding or providing material support to a State Department- designated terrorist group.
Successive presidential administrations since 9/11 have applied vague definitions of terrorism to an increasing number of groups, critics say, including pro-Palestine activists.
Today’s Democracy Digest newsletter was written by Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon. It was edited by Meredith Hobbs. As always, thank you for reading. Have tips, corrections, or questions? Just reply to this email.
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