The Colorado Springs City Council voted to proclaim October 14th as “Charlie Kirk Day”. This is a deeply misguided course of action, and we respectfully urge the council to change your decision. Below is why:

1. It politicizes a civic institution.

The city council is meant to represent all residents, regardless of political affiliation or ideology. When the council issues official proclamations honoring a highly partisan public figure, it risks converting a neutral civic body into a vehicle for political messaging. That undermines trust and alienates those who don’t share the figure’s views.
Charlie Kirk is polarizing, not unifying.

Charlie Kirk is not a universally admired, nonpartisan public servant. His public record includes statements and positions that are divisive and/or offensive. Associating the city with him sends an implicit endorsement of his agenda, which many of your constituents do not support.

2. Precedent and fairness

If you permit this, you open the door to endless requests to honor living or recently deceased political figures of one persuasion or another. Where do you draw the line? Better to reserve city proclamations for local individuals whose contributions are broadly recognized and whose legacies are less contested.

3. Misplaced priorities

Your constituents look to you to solve real, pressing issues — roads, public safety, utilities, housing, local services, etc. Taking time, staff resources, and political capital for symbolic acts tied to national political debates distracts from the council’s real job.

4. Alternative approaches

If the intention is to recognize political violence or promote civil discourse, I would support a non‑partisan resolution that honors all victims of political violence and champions free speech, unity, and respect. But a proclamation that singles out one contemporary political figure is neither inclusive nor appropriate.

City Council’s  action is divisive, unnecessary, and outside the proper role of city government. Ask them to change their decision on this issue that divides rather than unites residents.