We Won’t Bend the Knee
By now we’ve all likely heard the outrageous claim from Trump and his henchmen blaming “the left” not just for the murder of far-right political performer Charlie Kirk, but for all political violence in the country.
To be clear and unambiguous, the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party categorically and unequivocally condemns the violent atrocity committed against Kirk, a man whose opinions about race, gender, religion and nearly all matters we fulsomely disagreed with. Odious as they were, Kirk was entitled to his opinions, and he had a right to voice them.
Just about every elected Democratic leader has expressed similar sentiments as a result of this shocking event, and has encouraged softening the tone of our national dialogue and the way we treat one another.
That can’t be said about so many elected Republicans. Conveniently, Trump et al have kept the definition of “the left” ambiguous enough to mean just about anything, making it easier to target just about anybody for random, retributive bullying and potential violence.
The SLOCDP rejects this false, vile, inflammatory defamation, and we call upon all decent, level-headed Republicans and independents to repudiate this dangerous lie. Though “the right” may not like it, let’s call Trump’s slander what it is: a call to violence against everyone who doesn’t abide his regime’s increasingly dictatorial threat to our peace and freedoms.
To repeat, violence has no place in American democracy or our national discourse. Peacefully objecting to offensive speech, or protesting an unjust government policy or action, is foundational to being an American. This core belief isn’t the exclusive domain of one political party. It’s central to all of us.
As Democrats, we shouldn’t have to keep saying that. Now, apparently, we do, given Trump’s and his lackeys’ reprehensible insult against our party and all like-minded Americans. Apparently, they’re trying to trigger some kind of holy war against anyone who refuses to bend the knee to the command that not a negative word be spoken about this Pied Piper of right-wing dogma.
It’s possible to hold separate thoughts in our minds concurrently. While condemning Kirk’s murder, the SLOCDP rejects his oft-parroted hate, bigotry and menace. We grieve for Kirk’s lost life, and we send our thoughts and prayers to his family while we mourn that our president hasn’t the decency to call for peace and unity in this time of national angst.
The SLOCDP will bow to no one – president or king – nor will we stop speaking truth to their ill-gotten power and malign intent. Wewill continue to pursue a more just, prosperous and safe America through the peaceful exercise of our hard-won democratic freedoms and rights.
Yours in defense of democracy,
Tom Fulks
Chair SLOCDP | chair@slocdp.org