The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the University of Utah has fundamentally changed the way LMU students are engaging in politics on campus.
Sean Sparks, President of LMU College Democrats spoke to his perspective on the matter. “The fear of violence, specifically at LMU, is non-existent,” Sparks said. “I do not believe any student has any well-substantiated fear that another student would bring a gun on campus for any reason.” Since Sept. 10, Sparks has not seen a decline in attendance or support for LMU College Democrats.
After a series of demonstrations in support of Planned Parenthood on LMU’s campus in 2021, debates got, “…heated, argumentative, people were yelling…but nobody was ever hurt,” according to Sparks. “On a student-to-student basis, I do not think [political violence] will ever be a thing. Every club that I have spoken to on campus agrees that it is not something we want to perpetuate.”
Contrarily, Jeremy Howe, President of LMU College Republicans, has seen an unexpected change in the student body’s engagement with LMU GOP. Howe shared that Kirk’s assassination actually inspired new students to join the political club. “Unlike the shooter’s intent, we actually have gotten more people to join us at LMU College Republicans as well our chapter of Turning Point USA,” said Howe.
In terms of safety on LMU’s campus, Sparks and Howe agree that physical safety is not a predominant threat. However, Howe noted, “I am probably in a greater position of danger than say the president of College Democrats.”
Ryland Repetti, LMU graduate and former president of LMU College Republicans, shares Howe’s perspective. Repetti shared that he feels political violence is an attempt to discourage dialogue, debate, and civic engagement.
“To be totally frank, I expected most people to coil away given that Charlie Kirk was such a good faith debater and was still murdered in such a brutal way,” said Repetti. “After attending last night’s College Republicans event I think the turnout was larger than it has been in quite some time, with a lot of new faces too. People are emboldened and passionate.”
Similar to other LMU club leaders, Amelia Cucuzza, Social Media Coordinator for LMU Women in Politics Club, feels that it is a stretch for her to personally feel a threat of gun violence at LMU, especially given the campus’s southern California location.
However, concerns about political violence still remained. “After the assassination, I did feel scared to speak out for what I believe in,” Cucuzza said. “Even though I don’t agree with him, he really was just exercising his freedom of speech. I worry that if I do the same on the other left-leaning end of the spectrum, that something like that could happen to me or some of my peers.”
Cucuzza also shared that in her discussions with friends on campus, the topic of political violence has become heavy. “I think the fact that he was at a university and was debating with students, doing what he does as a commentator, it did seem very politically motivated…he was speaking about what he thought was right at the time, and then got assassinated.”
Despite political differences among the LMU club leadership, the students universally remain steadfast in their views about the importance of non-violent advocacy and lively political discussion. Howe encouraged members of his club along with the LMU student body to remain strong in their political views: “If you have unpopular beliefs, you have to be honest and not let these acts of violence or social ostracization lead you to be silent.”
