最新杏吧原创

Republican Councilman Mark Harder鈥檚 resolution called on council members to recognize Kirk, who was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley last week. The resolution honored Kirk鈥檚 鈥渓ife and legacy,鈥� and his commitment to 鈥渢ruth, freedom and constitutional principles鈥� and 鈥渢o faith, family and country.鈥� The resolution also asked council members to condemn the violence that ended Kirk鈥檚 life.

Supporters of the resolution said the resolution was not an endorsement of Kirk鈥檚 opinions but rather a recognition of the right to free speech.

鈥淭hese are the principles we live by,鈥� said Rene Artman, chair of the 最新杏吧原创 County Republican Party.

But those who opposed the resolution said Kirk鈥檚 legacy cannot be separated from the resolution鈥檚 language.

St Louis County NAACP President John Bowman told council members that the organization 鈥渃annot ignore that Mr. Kirk鈥檚 public record is defined by rhetoric that undermined civil rights, dismissed the struggles of marginalized communities, disrespected African-American women and spread division.鈥�

鈥淥ur community needs resolutions that heal, not that open wounds,鈥� Bowman said.

Harder said he introduced the resolution because Kirk鈥檚 鈥渓egacy reminds us that America thrives on bold ideas and unbreakable spirit.鈥�

But the resolution failed after four Democrats and one Republican on the seven-member council voted against it. Democratic Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, of north 最新杏吧原创 County, said she sympathized with Kirk鈥檚 family and fans, and that she condemned violence. But she said she could not honor Kirk.

鈥淚f you want to make a place better, why do you have to demoralize others?鈥� Webb said.

Democratic councilwomen Rita Heard Days, Gretchen Bangert and Lisa Clancy, and Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock also voted against the resolution. Harder and Republican Councilman Mike Archer supported it.

Hancock said he decided to vote against the resolution because Kirk鈥檚 words hurt some residents of 最新杏吧原创 County.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not what we as a people should be about,鈥� Hancock said. 鈥淲hat we as a people should be about is encouraging others to be the best people they can be.鈥�

Before the vote, some speakers said Kirk improved their lives. Gary Adkins of south 最新杏吧原创 County said Kirk helped him find Christianity.

鈥淗e showed me a path to be a better man,鈥� Adkins said.

But Sydni Jackson said it would be 鈥済ross and deeply inappropriate鈥� for the council to honor Kirk.

鈥淗e used his platform to uphold hateful ideas,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淢isogyny, sexism, bigotry and xenophobia are not political opinions.鈥�

Republican State Rep. David Casteel, of High Ridge, said whether council members agree with Kirk or not, they should support the resolution because it honored free speech. He also said Americans need to see how division is driven by social media and 鈥渕indless scrolling鈥� online.

鈥淚 think we should lay off the phones for awhile,鈥� Casteel said.

The Ethical Society of Police, an organization representing primarily Black 最新杏吧原创-area police officers, said in a statement Tuesday that Kirk spread harmful rhetoric and misinformation, undermining civil rights.

鈥淭axpayer-funded agencies should not be in the business of legitimizing hate, disinformation or political extremism,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淥ur government must remain a space where all citizens feel respected and protected 鈥� not one that uplifts voices working to divide us.鈥�

最新杏吧原创 County Executive Sam Page condemned Kirk鈥檚 killing.

鈥淭he political violence in this country is undermining our democracy,鈥� Page said, adding that 鈥淐harlie鈥檚 opinions are very different from mine.鈥�

Bipartisan officials nationwide condemned Kirk鈥檚 assassination, but some commentators have been fired for their comments on his death.

Turning Point USA, Kirk鈥檚 organization, activated young voters and helped fuel President Donald Trump鈥檚 campaigns and the 鈥淢ake America Great Again鈥� movement. His college visits and rallies stirred debate and controversy over gun rights, abortion and immigration, among other issues.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.