By Kelsey Landis

Copyright stltoday

Kelsey Landis | Post-Dispatch

CLAYTON — A symbolic St. Louis County Council resolution to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk failed Tuesday night, but not before sparking bitter debate between residents who view his legacy as hateful and those who believe he dedicated his life to free speech.

Republican Councilman Mark Harder’s resolution called on council members to recognize Kirk, who was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley last week. The resolution honored Kirk’s “life and legacy,” and his commitment to “truth, freedom and constitutional principles” and “to faith, family and country.” The resolution also asked council members to condemn the violence that ended Kirk’s life.

Supporters of the resolution said the resolution was not an endorsement of Kirk’s opinions but rather a recognition of the right to free speech.

“These are the principles we live by,” said Rene Artman, chair of the St. Louis County Republican Party.

But those who opposed the resolution said Kirk’s legacy cannot be separated from the resolution’s language.

St Louis County NAACP President John Bowman told council members that the organization “cannot ignore that Mr. Kirk’s public record is defined by rhetoric that undermined civil rights, dismissed the struggles of marginalized communities, disrespected African-American women and spread division.”

“Our community needs resolutions that heal, not that open wounds,” Bowman said.

Harder said he introduced the resolution because Kirk’s “legacy reminds us that America thrives on bold ideas and unbreakable spirit.”

But the resolution failed after four Democrats and one Republican on the seven-member council voted against it. Democratic Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, of north St. Louis County, said she sympathized with Kirk’s family and fans, and that she condemned violence. But she said she could not honor Kirk.

“If you want to make a place better, why do you have to demoralize others?” Webb said.

Democratic councilwomen Rita Heard Days, Gretchen Bangert and Lisa Clancy, and Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock also voted against the resolution. Harder and Republican Councilman Mike Archer supported it.

Hancock said he decided to vote against the resolution because Kirk’s words hurt some residents of St. Louis County.

“It’s not what we as a people should be about,” Hancock said. “What we as a people should be about is encouraging others to be the best people they can be.”

Before the vote, some speakers said Kirk improved their lives. Gary Adkins of south St. Louis County said Kirk helped him find Christianity.

“He showed me a path to be a better man,” Adkins said.

But Sydni Jackson said it would be “gross and deeply inappropriate” for the council to honor Kirk.

“He used his platform to uphold hateful ideas,” Jackson said. “Misogyny, sexism, bigotry and xenophobia are not political opinions.”

Republican State Rep. David Casteel, of High Ridge, said whether council members agree with Kirk or not, they should support the resolution because it honored free speech. He also said Americans need to see how division is driven by social media and “mindless scrolling” online.

“I think we should lay off the phones for awhile,” Casteel said.

The Ethical Society of Police, an organization representing primarily Black St. Louis-area police officers, said in a statement Tuesday that Kirk spread harmful rhetoric and misinformation, undermining civil rights.

“Taxpayer-funded agencies should not be in the business of legitimizing hate, disinformation or political extremism,” the statement said. “Our government must remain a space where all citizens feel respected and protected — not one that uplifts voices working to divide us.”

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page condemned Kirk’s killing.

“The political violence in this country is undermining our democracy,” Page said, adding that “Charlie’s opinions are very different from mine.”

Bipartisan officials nationwide condemned Kirk’s assassination, but some commentators have been fired for their comments on his death.

Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization, activated young voters and helped fuel President Donald Trump’s campaigns and the “Make America Great Again” movement. His college visits and rallies stirred debate and controversy over gun rights, abortion and immigration, among other issues.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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