By Calista Stocker • Times of San Diego,Dave Thomas

Copyright timesofsandiego

The murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last Wednesday sent shock waves through the country.

Kirk, founder of right-wing advocacy group Turning Point USA, was speaking at an outdoor event for the organization at Utah Valley University when suspect Tyler Robinson allegedly shot and killed Kirk from a nearby rooftop.

Following his death, San Diego State University students disclosed fears of campus political violence.

“It’s such a weird situation, because of what he stood for, compared to how he died,” said first-year management student Marcus Facione.

“I’d never wish death on anybody, but I think, if there’s any moment in time, any day to really think about the fact that our country needs some change, I think that day was a really, really big reminder to the world that there needs to be some change regarding gun laws and gun violence.”

Second-year music student Maddie, who did not want to disclose her last name due to safety concerns, disavowed the violence but didn’t have concerns about it happening at SDSU.

“I’m very against gun violence, so I would be a little concerned about that,” she said. “But, considering he was the main target and not the students, the event in itself wasn’t dangerous other than for him, obviously.”

Social media and campus conversations

Other students pointed out the odd persistence of the topic in social media and campus conversations.

“I think it’s strange that people are only starting to care about gun violence now,” said first-year psychology student Erin Kim. “I don’t even know if these people have heard him talk and his hate speech, because everyone’s like, ‘Rest in peace. Gun violence is so bad now.’ And it’s been bad, and they’re just starting to talk about it. So it’s kind of making me annoyed.”

On March 18, 2024, Turning Point’s student chapter at SDSU hosted Kirk for a “Prove Me Wrong” outdoor tabling session and at a “Live Free Tour” event inside Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

“Now I’m a little concerned [about violence], since he was here,” Kim said after being informed of Kirk’s past presence. “I feel like this is a more liberal school, so I hope we wouldn’t have someone like that come and talk.

“But I know people like him just because he would allow others to express their opinions, even though he would shoot them down easily. I really hope we don’t invite someone like that here.”

Political event security on campus

While SDSU did not disclose specific security measures or whether they will be increasing security for future political events like these on campus, they said that they work closely with the University Police Department to develop comprehensive safety plans.

“All recognized student organizations seeking to host events on campus are required to submit a request through the university’s Event Application System,” the university said in a statement.

“This process requires organizers to outline key logistical elements, including safety, security, ticketing, and crowd management plans. Only after review and approval through this process, including consultation with campus safety professionals and the University Police Department, is a space-use permit granted.”

First-year business management student Lilly Pederson said her fears of gun violence at school have stuck with her since elementary school lockdown drills, but that she has different concerns about the consequences of his assassination.

“One thing that I did think was beautiful about Charlie Kirk was his openness and his directness,” Pederson said. “He was fearless of sharing his full views and his extreme ideas. And I far from agree with that, but I can acknowledge he harnessed his rights as an American to … express them so openly.

“So I hope that students and other political activists or figures aren’t silenced by this attack, that they still feel free to be an American and express their views and have freedom and not feel restricted by what happened. But I do think that everybody is gonna err on the side of caution more.”

Making the campus a safe space for open discussions

SDSU President Adela de la Torre sent out a campus email the night of the shooting that echoed a similar sentiment.

“College campuses should be a beacon of support for civil political discourse and civic engagement,” the email read. “Like many others nationwide, including elected officials and higher education leaders, we are horrified by the murder of Charlie Kirk this afternoon. Violence has no place in our country and we must recognize that every such act is a grave threat to our democracy and to the safety and dignity of us all.”

Pederson said she appreciated the email, but wondered where this sentiment was for other apparent victims of political violence, such as Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated in her Minnesota home in June.

“I think that not only do we need to condemn political violence, but we need to bring awareness to it more, and awareness not just because the person was controversial or because they were famous,” Pederson said.

“I do not think that we gave enough coverage to the political violence a few months ago that Representative Hortman faced. And to me, that is equivalent to what happened to Charlie Kirk. She was a lawmaker, she was a public servant, and I think that’s kind of the difference between her and Charlie.”

Sophie Felarca, a first-year psychology student, also pointed out the potential hypocrisy.

“I just thought it was really interesting how the school was addressing Charlie Kirk,” Felarca said. “And then they barely speak about the instances about the Latino community.…

“They didn’t really talk specifically for that community about all the dangers that are going around for them, and I feel like that, since the school has such a big community of them, that they should definitely speak more about that, instead of specifically just a conservative who was shot.”