The League of Women Voters issued a statement condemning gun violence on Sept. 10 following the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk that day:

The League of Women Voters is horrified by the targeted murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. 

We extend our condolences to Mr. Kirk’s wife, children, family and friends during this tragic time.          

The League of Women Voters unequivocally condemns gun violence in any form. Every individual has the right to free speech and peaceful activism without fear of harm. Gun violence has no place in our democracy. Thank you to local law enforcement, whose response prevented further violence.

We call on Congress to take action and put an end to gun violence and political violence once and for all.”

Such statements from leaders and organizations across the political landscape are imperative but not enough. Fighting the normalization of violence requires action. As citizens, we are not passive witnesses to the horrifying demise of our communities and country. But what can we do? 

The League of Women Voters of Nebraska offers some concrete, research-based steps you can take to fight the normalization of political violence.

Unequivocally denounce political violence. Why?

• Violence is wrong and in direct conflict with LWV’s commitment to ensuring every individual’s ability to participate in democracy, free of threat or fear.
• Political leaders incorrectly use it as a reason to restrict rights and silence opposition.
• Political violence is ineffective.
• Insistence on nonviolence from leaders, organizations and activists are key ways to reduce political violence.

Amplify respected leaders’ voices and guidance. 

• We need to actively disseminate factual information.
• Highlight collaborative statements like those of several colleges and universities that are co-released by the Democratic and Republican student groups.
• Find the message or messenger that resonates most with your intended audience. Right now, on this issue, we need every voice possible denouncing violence.
• Don’t be fooled into feeling like the minority. The majority of Americans don’t want to live like this; don’t let the loudest voices tell us otherwise.

Don’t stop talking about hard things. In fact, talk more, just do it better.

• Check out Harvard University’s Kennedy School’s “Ten ways to take down the political temperature” for practical guidance to challenging conversations.
• Acknowledge and address fact-based complexities. Rely on vetted and fact-based media sources such as AP News, (they have a dedicated Fact Check section).
• Resist the assertion that finding common ground on this issue means a complete endorsement of an individual or organization stances (with some exceptions).
• Challenge yourself to find a parallel situation or example in your own life and help others do the same
• Identify and challenge the use of “selective empathy.”
• Call out language and speech, particularly dehumanizing discourse, that normalizes violence, especially in real-life interactions with folks you know. Even small changes in our own vocabulary are important. 

Publicly and/or privately praise others who speak up, especially our political leaders.

• This could be a simple verbal “thank you,” a hand written card, or a comment on social media. We need to continue to support and encourage each other in speaking up.
• As for elected officials in Nebraska: Senator Ricketts, Congressman Flood and Congressman Smith and Governor Pillen released statements that denounced political violence. Here are the links to contact them: Senator Ricketts, Congressman Flood, Congressman Smith, and Governor Pillen.
• Senator Fischer has not released a press statement (though she posted on Facebook) and while Congressman Bacon has spoken to the media and posted on Facebook, he also has not released an official statement. 

Keep showing up.

• The system is broken but it’s not gone yet so keep using every tool we have: vote, protest, support ballot initiatives, use the legal system, understand the Constitution, etc.
• Help others see the importance of continuing to engage through volunteering with things like voter registrations or simply asking your family, friends and neighbors if they are registered to vote (and eventually ask them if they’ve voted!)
• Don’t accept statements at face value with no meaningful analysis; ask questions, request proof, look for data.
• Don’t preemptively give in or give up. Not fighting back is not an option.

Connect with people in a physical space together and specifically find and/or include people who think differently than you.

• Check out Civic’s Nebraska’s Civil Discourse Resources.
• Participate at your local library, neighborhood association, churches or anywhere a diverse group of community members come together.
• Research demonstrates that “communities organizing across differences against violence” is one of the key ways to reduce political violence. 

Work toward structural change.

• Insist leaders’ actions and agendas match their words (see below links for official statements).  
• Get involved with organizations that focus on violence prevention such as Moms Demand Action, Nebraskans for Peace or Nebraskans Against Gun Violence.
• Join one of the LWVNE’s Action Teams to follow and take action on Nebraska Legislature policy, particularly the Government or Social Policy teams. Learn more by registering for one of our information sessions on Sunday, Oct. 12 or Nov. 14. 
• It can feel overwhelming or unclear what to do in times like these, but the first action is the most important: determining to not give up. Together we can fight, we can change the strategy, we can invite in new folks, we can respond to the unexpected but we have to resolutely take that first step. 

Statements on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk 

This is list not exhaustive. It is a collection of statements from varied political and cultural perspectives that clearly and specifically denounce political violence.  

National & International

ACLU Statement on the Death of Charlie Kirk

AFL-CIO Condemns Political Violence

Americans for Prosperity Statement on the Shooting of Charlie Kirk

Black Lives Matter Statement on Political Violence 

Democratic National Committee Statement on the Murder of Charlie Kirk

George W. Bush Statement on Charlie Kirk

Moms Demand Action Statement on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk

Republican National Committee

Nebraska 

Congressman Flood’s Statement on Charlie Kirk’s Death

Congressman Smith’s Statement on Death of Charlie Kirk

Governor Pillen’s Press Release on Shooting Death of Charlie Kirk 

Libertarian Party of Nebraska’s Statement on the Death of Charlie Kirk

Senator Rickett’s Statement on Death of Charlie Kirk

Both the NEGOP and the Nebraska Democratic Party  released statements, but neither explicitly denounced and/or called for a stop to political violence. 

Senator Fischer has not released a press statement (though she posted on Facebook) and while Congressman Bacon has spoken to the media and posted on Facebook, he also has not released an official statement.

Religious

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Statement on Violence

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Message on Political Violence

Jewish Federations’ Statement on Death of Charlie Kirk

Southern Baptist Convention’s Statement of Lament and A Call for Justice

The Vatican Secretary of State Response

UMC Bishops’ Statement Condemning US Political Violence 

Assorted Helpful Links:

Introduced legislation in NE 2025  

Unicameral Update – the Legislature’s official news source

NE Public Media’s Legislative live stream

LWVNE action alert sign up