this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2025
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Republicans and Democrats, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nancy Mace, are canceling events and taking other security precautions.

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is sending shock waves through Capitol Hill, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressing fears for their own safety and taking greater security precautions following a summer of political violence.

Members are beefing up their security, moving public events indoors or canceling them altogether. One is even vowing to carry firearms.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the progressive star who has faced numerous death threats over the years, said Thursday she had postponed two public events planned for this weekend in North Carolina, including a rally in Raleigh set for Sunday.

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[–] mfed1122@discuss.tchncs.de 146 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (5 children)

If AOC is cancelling events it's because of fear of retaliatory action on the right, but NBC won't title it in such an honest way.

Also, "one is even vowing to carry firearms" lmao. I'm all for people's right to bear arms, but it doesn't protect you individually from an assassin. What, if only Kirk had a pistol on him, he could have whipped it out and shot the other bullet in half before it hit him, like the fucking Matrix?

[–] PwnTra1n@lemmy.world 41 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Had someone tell me they had a problem cuz he wasn’t even able to defend himself. The gymnastics to not blame gun violence when he was literally shot while talking about shootings.

[–] mfed1122@discuss.tchncs.de 23 points 1 day ago (2 children)

It's always depressing yet eye-opening to hear the opinions of people at the grassroots. The average citizen of America truly is so unfathomably dumb. Even the lower class of the 1700s probably had better critical thinking skills. We might even be setting all time records here.

[–] krashmo@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 13 hours ago) (2 children)

People have always been this dumb as a whole. We're apes who decided talking shit to each other is better than throwing shit at each other. If a few dozen of us hadn't gotten lucky enough to figure out some amazing things over the centuries we'd all still be praying to the god of the hunt to bring back the buffalo herd next season so we don't starve to death.

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 6 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago)

There's a good book called "Not for Profit" came out around 2010 and describes how the systematic erosion of arts/literature, the Humanties, from school systems, is being replaced by bare minimum to train workers. Creating a dumb population that can't think for themselves, makes it easy for government control with no resistance

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[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 11 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

Shot immediately after finishing a sentence in which he spouted racist dog whistle bullshit about the predominant demographics of mass shooters, as he was sitting under an easy-up emblazoned with PROVE ME WRONG.

The marksman:

okay, well, since you asked so nicely…

Genuinely, the comedic timing was jaw-droppingly impeccable.

[–] postmateDumbass@lemmy.world 7 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Not sure if this is official onion or not, but this one hit bullseye.

collapsed inline media

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[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 14 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Not just for assassins. Carrying a gun is negative for your physical safety in general.

[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 7 points 21 hours ago (3 children)

I believe you, but can we see the stats behind that statement?

[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 6 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/research-reports/gun-violence-in-the-united-states

Carrying firearms in public also increases the risk for violence by escalating minor arguments and increasing the chances that a confrontation will become lethal. Research has found that even the mere presence of a firearm increases aggressive thoughts and actions.20 

Some believe that carrying a firearm will act as a deterrent and help prevent conflicts or minimize harm. While there are specific examples where this was true, there are many more cases where firearm carrying escalates conflict and leads to firearm injury or death. In aggregate, research shows firearm carrying increases levels of violent crime.21

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[–] Cruxifux@feddit.nl 9 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Just tell chuck schumer to take over for all her events.

[–] billwashere@lemmy.world 7 points 23 hours ago

I see what you did there 🤣

[–] Zugyuk@lemmy.world 3 points 15 hours ago

We don't need that many letters 🤣

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 3 points 15 hours ago

AOC has had a target on her for years.

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[–] leftzero@lemmy.dbzer0.com 70 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

Members of Congress fear for their safety after Charlie Kirk assassination

Good.

The people shouldn't be afraid of their government.

The government should be afraid of the people.

[–] cmhe@lemmy.world 15 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

They should be afraid of the people, but not of individuals with guns or money to hire contract killers.

Kirk's death was a public assassination. There are many easier for ways someone can kill an unsuspecting target. The way the killer escaped makes it likely they where professional or otherwise trained, not just crazy. The killer choose a difficult and public way to kill him, meaning it is more then just about killing Krik. It is clearly a message, question is what message and to whom.

[–] dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 8 points 17 hours ago

"fuck this guy in particular" - to everyone

[–] ubergeek@lemmy.today 7 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

They should be afraid of the people, but not of individuals with guns or money to hire contract killers.

No, they should be afraid of that too, just like every other citizen in this country.

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[–] threeonefour@piefed.ca 66 points 1 day ago (3 children)

They shouldn't be allowed to feel safe going to work until kids feel safe going to school.

[–] RFKJrsBrainworm@sh.itjust.works 15 points 19 hours ago

I'd argue they shouldn't feel safe until they start to defend the constitution

[–] peaceful_world_view@lemmy.world 8 points 23 hours ago

That's a good line.

[–] courval@lemmy.world 6 points 22 hours ago
[–] SereneSadie@lemmy.myserv.one 51 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

They still won't get what it's like for LGBT+ people under their terrorist reigime.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago

Yeah i don't just fear for myself and my family, I fear for my people. That friends I haven't seen in years will be struck down and I won't know until day of remembrance

[–] Steve@startrek.website 3 points 22 hours ago

Duh, empathy isnt real.

[–] skooma_king@piefed.social 41 points 1 day ago (2 children)

We must spy on everyone at all times, but we know the answers to nothing.

[–] sepi@piefed.social 16 points 1 day ago
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[–] ambiguous_yelp@lemmy.blahaj.zone 36 points 1 day ago (1 children)

People shouldn't be afraid of their governments governments should be afraid of their people - V For Vendetta

[–] PhilipTheBucket@piefed.social 22 points 1 day ago

They are afraid. That's why all the nonsense, and calling out the National Guard and whatnot.

[–] P00ptart@lemmy.world 26 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] enkille@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

a ralleigh!

[–] Cruxifux@feddit.nl 24 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I am not going to shed a single tear for American politicians being scared for their lives.

[–] peaceful_world_view@lemmy.world 12 points 23 hours ago

Exactly, they haven't worked for "the people" for decades now.

[–] Runaway@lemmy.zip 21 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

AOC is fearing retaliation, justifiably so given her colleagues. Just about anyone else? good. honestly a bit of fear of the masses might do good

[–] Canconda@lemmy.ca 8 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Only in America do they consider shooting their elected representatives before electing different ones /s

America is a weird dichotomy, where congressional approval ratings as a whole are in the toilet… But approval ratings among individual representatives with their constituents is fairly high. Generally speaking, people like their own representatives, even though they dislike congress as a whole. Basically, every single person is going “it’s all the other voters’ fault that congress is so broken.”

If AOC was getting a death threat, it statistically wasn’t from someone in her own district, because her constituents like her.

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[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 21 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Should be more concerned with trump throwing dems in a gulag than getting shot.

[–] Thom@discuss.online 7 points 17 hours ago

Trump will use the gun violence to justify such gulag. Democrats are enduring abuse and they are helpless. Something's gotta crack

[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago

They could stop being monsters right now. They could make different choices.

We'll know more after the midterms.

[–] Marshezezz@lemmy.blahaj.zone 18 points 1 day ago

Meh 🤷‍♂️ sucks to feel fear, doesn’t it?

[–] Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I wonder how much of this is people just being freaked out, how much of it is based on intelligence not available to the public, and how much of it is cynical theater.

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

No matter which way you lean, you will probably be thinking about protecting your neck.

[–] Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I dunno, not being Charlie Kirk seems to have protected everyone else so far. Maybe they have evidence the shooter is after politicians too, maybe they don’t; not a chance the public knows everything they know. My guess (emphasis on guess) is anyone who wanted to go after a politician would start with that, not some conservative grifter.

Maybe this comment will look stupid AF in a week, who knows.

[–] tidderuuf@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago

He literally said if he was getting death threats then he is doing something right. Sounds like a classic case of fuck around find out.

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 11 points 23 hours ago

Ah, suddenly 2A looses it's appeal?

[–] hayvan@feddit.nl 4 points 12 hours ago
[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 4 points 15 hours ago

" I don't understand these lefties..if there is no bread, just eat cake!"

[–] dan@literature.cafe 4 points 1 day ago

They should

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 3 points 1 day ago

Your comment isn't wrong, but maybe not being Charlie Kirk is exactly what will be dangerous for some politicians.

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