Over 120 liberal nonprofit organizations are pushing back against what they perceive as an impending crackdown by the Trump administration following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They assert that charitable initiatives are meant to unite people rather than divide them.
A collective letter, signed by 136 groups, spoke out against political violence and the potential backlash they might face.
“Organizations should not be persecuted for fulfilling their missions to assist the communities they serve or for articulating their values. We reject any attempts to distort our commendable efforts, curtail our freedom of expression or generosity, or to use political violence to infringe upon fundamental rights,” the letter stated on Wednesday. “Efforts aimed at suppressing speech, criminalizing differing viewpoints, and misrepresenting charitable donations weaken our democracy and harm all Americans.”
This letter emerges amid heightened scrutiny of left-leaning organizations by the Trump administration following Kirk’s death, who co-founded Turning Point USA.
The president and other officials have characterized these organizations as contributors to violence, raising fears that they could be targeted as a result.
Among the signatories were notable organizations like George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, the Tides Foundation, and the Ford Foundation, all of which were cited by the administration after Kirk’s murder in Utah.
Kirk was fatally shot while engaging with attendees at Utah Valley University in Orem. The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah.
Last week, Trump criticized the “radical left” in connection to Kirk’s murder.
“In periods of vulnerability and uncertainty, we need to aspire to a higher ethical standard that we collectively desire. This is a chance for leadership that fosters unity rather than deepening divisions. Our organization is committed to uplifting individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and ideologies, ensuring peace under the protections guaranteed by the Constitution.”
On Thursday evening, the president announced plans to label the left and right activist group ANTIFA as a terrorist organization.
