Charlie Kirk brought his formidable debating skills, love of country and strong faith in God to the University of Washington’s Seattle campus in May 2024. The popular young conservative leader did the same this past April at the Pullman campus of Washington State University.

There was tension between supporters and detractors at those visits, like every stop on his “American Comeback Tour” of campuses across the nation. However, the closest thing to violence was vandalism and what was reported as a few brief scuffles.

Charlie Kirk’s mission, which created a forum for exchanging opinions with all comers in an uncompromising yet safe and respectful way, was rooted in a belief he stated frequently: When people stop talking, that’s when violence happens.

His focus on free speech is what mak

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