FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUCSON, AZ—September 16, 2025
FreedomTalk is calling for accountability from Mayor Regina Romero and the Tucson City Council after a city employee and a council member posted inflammatory comments on social media following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
The controversy comes amid active recruitment efforts by the Brown Berets Tucson Unit, whose flyers call them a “community military” that will “directly confront” perceived enemies—language that raises public-safety concerns if combined with incendiary rhetoric from public officials.
Council Rhetoric Under Fire
Following Kirk’s murder, Tucson Ward 1 staffer Benny Gomez posted:
“Charlie Kirk was a racist, xenophobic, transphobic, islamophobic, sexist, white nationalist mouthpiece who made millions of dollars inciting hatred in this country… I extend absolutely no empathy for people like that.”
Critics say the statement, while offering sympathy for Kirk’s children, minimizes the gravity of political assassination and risks signaling tacit approval to violent actors.
- Councilmember Paul Cunningham (Ward 2) rebuked the tone, saying: “It is inappropriate for an elected official to celebrate the murder of anyone.”
- Mayor Regina Romero condemned gun violence generally but has not said whether city staff will face discipline over the post.
- Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz removed her own Instagram post about Kirk after public backlash, later stating it was “taken out of context” and that she “unequivocally denounces political violence.”
The Larger Context: Dangerous Signals to Radical Groups
Recruitment materials for the Brown Berets Tucson Unit urge members to train, mobilize, and “respond to local issues and emergencies,” positioning themselves as a revolutionary force fighting “white supremacy” and “government abuse.”
Nationally, Brown Beret chapters have deployed to protests in armed “security” roles—as in Eagle Pass, Texas, where they confronted the “Take Our Border Back” convoy and described it as “Woodstock for fascists.”
President Trump has publicly said he would favor designating “Antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization. In that climate, Tucson Council members’ tweets or posts that appear to excuse political violence are especially dangerous: such rhetoric may be seen by militant or activist groups (like local Brown Berets units) as permission to escalate confrontation themselves.
This combination of militant organizing, inflammatory local rhetoric, and heightened national tension creates a volatile environment that Tucson leaders have a responsibility to calm—not inflame.
The Danger of Normalizing Political Violence
Political rhetoric that appears to justify assassination serves as a permission signal for fringe actors. When elected officials fail
to clearly condemn it, they risk emboldening groups that thrive on confrontation and view violence as a legitimate political tool.
FreedomTalk’s Call to Action
FreedomTalk demands:
- Public Censure: Formal censure of any member or staffer appearing to celebrate political violence.
- Clear Denunciation: A joint statement from Mayor Romero and the Council unequivocally denouncing political assassination and related rhetoric.
- Threat Assessment: A public report from TPD and PCSD on Brown Beret activity, including any incidents of armed presence or organized “security” operations.
- Preventive Action: Assurance that city permitting and law-enforcement policies prevent paramilitary groups from intimidating lawful demonstrators.
“When City Hall flirts with rhetoric that dehumanizes political opponents, it plays with fire. Tucson leaders have a duty to cool tensions—not add fuel to the blaze. Every day they remain silent, they embolden the radicals who dream of turning political conflict into street warfare.” —FreedomTalk Spokesperson
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About: FreedomTalk Magazine—The Journal of Truth & Virtue—guides readers toward clear thinking and principled living by delivering fresh insights into the issues and people shaping our world. Instead of merely reporting the news, FreedomTalk helps shape the ideas that drive it—engaging minds, sparking dialogue, and influencing current events. Our content combines clear analysis, compelling storytelling, and multimedia features that bring voices to life through in-depth articles, video interviews, and cross-platform connections. We blend the depth of golden-age journalism with an unflinching commitment to free speech and the timeless principles of Western Civilization and Judeo-Christian morality.
