By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban
Côte St. Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi condemned the assassination of U.S. conservative activist, media personality and willing debater of anyone who disagreed with him Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was killed Sept. 10 in the midst of such a debate at a Utah university. Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah has been arrested for the crime. Reactions to Kirk’s death have ranged from mournful and respectful from both sides of the political spectrum to celebrations of his murder, in some cases from Canadian academics and politicians. Some in Canada and the U.S. have been fired or put on leave for their posts.
Levi said, “Hampstead bows its head in grief at the loss of Charlie Kirk. The world has lost not only a champion, but a steadfast defender of truth and conviction. He stood firm where others faltered, and his voice carried strength in an age of weakness. Though his loss weighs heavily, his courage endures as a guiding light.”
Brownstein said he was deeply saddened by the killing, and expressed condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika and their two children, ages 3 and 1.
“I am concerned by what this horrific act says about our ability to debate and discuss issues,” he added. “The point of democracy is that it allows us to debate issues and decide who will lead a government without resorting to violence. Political violence and intimidation are damaging to democratic societies.”
Brownstein also pointed out that there has been a “troubling increase in violence and intimidation since 2020, including in the Montreal area.
“People who want to prevent others from holding events have been able to do so using the threat of violence and disorder. This, too, is damaging to democratic societies. I will always stand for respect, dialogue, and the peaceful exchange of ideas. Leadership at every level must help restore civility, and uphold the principles of a peaceful and just society.”
Brownstein also encouraged political leaders to “recall the words Senator Robert F. Kennedy said in an April 5, 1968, speech following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created? No martyr’s cause has ever been stilled by his assassin’s bullet. No wrongs have ever been righted by riots and civil disorders. A sniper is only a coward, not a hero; and an uncontrolled, uncontrollable mob is only the voice of madness, not the voice of the people.’”
Statements mourning Kirk’s death also came from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was criticized for reacting much later than many other notables; and Mount Royal MP Anthony Housefather, on X.
The MP posted, “the murder of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy and I pray for his family. I hope that those on this and other platforms that repeatedly personally attack people and incite hate against them look at this and see the potential real life consequences of targeted hateful rhetoric.” n