"The fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at a Utah college event has put a spotlight on tensions over free speech at universities, where conservatives, including President Trump, have said campuses are intolerant of right-wing speakers and thought. Kirk, a Trump ally widely credited for revitalizing Republican movements among college students, was speaking before thousands at Utah Valley University when he was shot in the neck."
"As a conservative provocateur, his style and beliefs frequently drew campus protests and petitions from liberal students and faculty seeking to cancel his appearances. The Utah event was no exception. An open letter prior to his engagement asked the university to "[re-evaluate] the decision to allow Charlie Kirk to speak" because he was against "inclusivity and unity." But Utah Valley University leaders said they wanted the campus to be a place "where ideas - popular or controversial - can be exchanged freely, energetically, and civilly"."
Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally who helped mobilize Republican college students, was shot in the neck while speaking to thousands at Utah Valley University. Kirk typically sat under a tent to debate attendees on immigration, gender identity, criminal policy, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, abortion and other hot-button subjects. His provocative style frequently drew campus protests and petitions from liberal students and faculty seeking to cancel his appearances; an open letter urged the university to "[re-evaluate] the decision to allow Charlie Kirk to speak." University leaders defended a campus where "ideas...can be exchanged freely" and said the institution "does not take official positions on political, social, or cultural controversies." The shooting occurred amid broader tensions over free speech at colleges and disputes over how to balance expression and unacceptable behavior.
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