They said it: Youth more accepting of political violence?

"My students were there. One of them said, We should just punch everybody who is in attendance.' It was a real moment of reflection for me. I thought something has really changed."

"Kevin Wallsten, Long Beach State University political science professor, on his research finding the young more accepting than the old of violence over political differences."

"He was describing student reaction to a campus visit by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated Sept. 10 at a similar event in Utah."

During a campus event, a student declared, 'We should just punch everybody who is in attendance,' indicating a willingness to use physical force against ideological opponents. The remark prompted concern and reflection that attitudes toward political violence may be changing. Research finds younger people are more accepting than older people of violence over political differences. The comment occurred during a visit by conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10 at a similar event in Utah, underscoring real-world risks tied to escalating political hostility and confrontations at campus events.

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