In recent years, the U.S has seen a disturbing rise in political violence. The most recent high-profile event was the assassination of Republican political activist Charlie Kirk that occurred on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University during a campus debate. His assassination followed nearly three months after the June 14 shootings in Minnesota where Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife severely wounded in a related attack. 

The Charlie Kirk assassination and the Minnesota lawmaker’s shootings were politically motivated acts of violence, aimed at individuals based on their political roles despite the victims being from different parties. 

In an ideal, democratic society, we resolve our differences through debates, elections and the rule of the law. Not in acts of violence. When political violence becomes normalized, it threatens the very foundation of our democratic system. 

Regardless of your political beliefs or what party you may side with, political violence has no place here. Targeting individuals based on their political beliefs is an attack on democracy itself and furthers the divide in our country, making us look weak on the inside and outside. We must come together in condemning such acts of violence, regardless of party or ideologies. Normalizing it, just because you agree or disagree with them politically, does more harm than good. 

To further prevent political violence, leaders and influential figures must take responsibility by modeling civility and insisting on nonviolence. Their words and actions are powerful and set the tone for public discourse and can either further division in the country or promote us to come together as a democracy.

Former President Barack Obama addressed Kirk’s assassination during an event hosted by the Jefferson Educational Society, emphasizing that, although he disagreed with Kirk’s ideologies, what happened was a tragedy. Similarly, Sen. Bernie Sanders posted on social media, “Every American, no matter what one’s political beliefs may be, must condemn all forms of political violence.”

Our democracy depends on protecting the right to engage in political discourse without fear of violence. Leaders must continue to call for unity and respect, regardless of which party they stand for. This means even policing and holding your own allies accountable, and combating misinformation and hostile rhetoric.