On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, a Christian conservative podcaster / commentator was assassinated while he was doing his typical podcast style event in Utah. He was shot from 200 yards (about 600 feet or 183 meters) with a single bolt hunting rifle. The weapon was recovered and a suspect was detained a few days later.

I knew who Charlie Kirk was. I had seen some of his content – interviews, podcasts, appearances – and although I did not agree with him in many, many things, I RESPECTED the guy. Why? Because his style was conversational. He would confront people with different ideas and challenged them to prove him wrong using debate. Did he use “hateful language”? That depends on your definition of “hate” and “hateful speech”. The only thing clear is that the guy was assassinated for the act of talking. He was not beating someone down. He was not stealing from others. He was not vandalizing property. He was not abusing minors. He was talking with people who did not think like him.

Opinions are not Hate Speech

The guy had opinions. Opinions based on his personal faith. Opinions based on his political beliefs. Opinions based on his experiences. Opinions that many people with similar faith, experiences and political beliefs shared with him. Opinions that were contrary to many people. But opinions – just like the ones you have. Just like the opinions I have. Opinions can be popular or unpopular, but we all have the right to have our own opinions.

In the United States and its territories, we go further. Opinions are protected by something called the First Amendment of the Constitution. I can share my opinions given I 1) do not commit defamation, 2) incite violence, 3) commit fraud, 4) threaten the safety and / or security of others. That is why child porn is illegal (endangering minors) or promoting a Ponzi scheme is a crime (fraud). Kirk was promoting his opinions – and since he was not advocating for people to be killed, or threatening to harm people thinking differently, his opinions were covered by the First Amendment.

Were his opinions racist, homophobic, and transphobic? Maybe. Were they unpopular in some circles? Definitively. Were his opinions protected by the Constitution? ABSOLUTELY.

Like it or not, even the most hateful speech from the Ku Klux Klan is protected within general limitations (Branderburg v. Ohio, 1969). Basically, I can say whatever I want unless I am advocating for committing crimes. Even burning a cross (or a flag) is protected under the First Amendment – unless you are inciting the commission of other crimes.

No matter how “hateful” his opinions were, he was not inciting riots. He was not telling his followers to “punch people in the face” or harass liberals in public spaces like supermarkets and restaurants. He was not telling his followers to “kill trans folks” or to “murder gays” or to burn Islam believers. He was not a saint, but his opinions were not that extreme when you realize his personal experiences.

I am Charlie

Being honest, his assassination did not bother me as much as the reaction of people in social media. I am not talking about random people on the Internet – I am talking about people I consider my friends and family. People celebrating his murder as if the shooter had killed a serial killer. Or a serial rapist. Or a child molester. You know, the worst of society…

These people celebrated the murder of a commentator because they did not like what he said and his ideals. These people celebrated a man being murdered in front of his family (Kirk’s wife and kids were in attendance at the event). These people had the audacity of posting their celebrations online – knowing the country is divided almost in half and that Kirk’s followers are understandably heartbroken and angry. These people were celebrating and publishing the death of an ideological “enemy”, and I felt that personally.

Why? I did not know Kirk personally. I was not a fan. I do not share his Christian faith (I have been Agnostic since I was 16). I am not a Republican voter (I was registered as independent while I voted in NYC and voted for candidates of all leanings).

Because I am Charlie…

I am Charlie because I do not believe in abortion (Except in non-consensual pregnancies and to save the mother’s life).

I am Charlie because I think transgender people should not get hormonal treatment until they are at least 18.

I am Charlie because I understand people not following immigration laws are illegally in the country and they should be deported.

I am Charlie because I believe that we need special laws for child molesters.

I am Charlie because I believe in debating ideas openly.

I am Charlie because I want people to be able to argue different points of view without getting killed.

I am Charlie because I have been discriminated, persecuted, and disrespected due to my political ideals (Disclaimer: I am talking about being a Puerto Rican independence supporter.)

I am Charlie because I have unpopular opinions in many topics – and I know now I have a target on my head.

If you celebrated the murder of Charlie Kirk, you are celebrating the murder of a man in front of his family. You are celebrating the death of civil discourse simply because you dislike certain ideas. In my book, if you celebrate the murder of ANYONE, you are a piece of shit.

As a society, we kill the worst of our criminals – murderers, rapists, abusers – after a long legal process where the State proves this person deserves the death penalty. Even after repeated confirmations of their guilt, their deaths are not broadcast. Inmates on death row have their privacy and dignity respected on their last moment. No one celebrates their death (well, maybe their victims do). Let that sink in…

We do not celebrate the deaths of the worst people in our society. But some of you celebrated the murder of a man simply because “he said mean things”.

Yep, if you celebrated his demise, you are worthless. You want to unfollow me? Please do… I do not need or want to be associated with shit.

If you believe in debating ideas, in listening to others – specially listening to “the other side” -, in making our society better through listening and using facts to find a common ground, then you are one of mine.

Because I Am Charlie…and you should be Charlie too…