STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Arizona State Representative Rachel Keshel today issued the following statement in response to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and the disturbing reaction of certain public officials and employees who celebrated his death:

“The murder of Charlie Kirk is a heinous political assassination that has left his beautiful wife and young children without a husband and father, and left millions of Americans grieving the loss of a fearless advocate for freedom. My heart breaks for the Kirk family, and my prayers are with them as they endure this unimaginable tragedy.

What makes this tragedy even more appalling is the shameful reaction from radical leftists here at home, including Tucson City Councilwoman Lane Santa Cruz and her taxpayer-funded staffer, Benny Gomez. Santa Cruz took to Instagram to curse Charlie after his death, while Gomez spewed false and hateful rhetoric, dismissing any empathy for him. This is not just cruel—it is dangerous, and they should resign. When public officials celebrate political violence, they legitimize it, embolden it, and invite more of it.

For years, the Left has smeared Christians and conservatives as racists, Nazis, and bigots. They are lying to themselves if they cannot see how that relentless demonization has helped create the environment that led to Charlie’s assassination. Hate speech that incites violence is absolutely not covered under the First Amendment.

Let me be very clear: Inciting violence is not free speech. Cancel culture is punishing Christians and conservatives for their beliefs. Calling out those who openly rejoice in an assassination is not cancel culture—it is moral clarity. Those who justify or celebrate Charlie Kirk’s murder cross a red line. They are not exercising free speech; they are encouraging violence.

Enough is enough. Every American, regardless of political affiliation, should denounce the rhetoric that radicalizes our youth and tears apart our society. To the Kirk family: you are not alone. Millions of us stand with you, and we will not be silent in the face of hatred.”

Rachel Keshel is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 17 in areas within Pima County and Pinal County, including East Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Picture Rocks, and Mount Lemmon. Follow her on X at @RJ4arizona.