Local college students defend free speech on campus after Kirk shooting

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivered powerful remarks while touching on the volatile political scene in America. Area colleges and university students talked about the importance of free speech on campus.

“Let me say this loud and clear. Political violence has no place in America. Zero. A democracy thrives on debate, not bloodshed. You can't shrug it off as the new normal.” The shooting death of conservative Charlie Kirk being talked about across the country as Hochul made a plea for peace. “We can't allow it to escalate. And yet, just yesterday, our institutions across our state and our nation were victims of swatting threats, putting people on edge. We cherish free speech, but we also demand responsibility because reckless words can lead to reckless acts.”

Some of the area college students told NEWS10’s Reporter James De La Fuente they agree with the governor. “I think it's really important that college campuses, especially as young freshmen, to come on the campus and speak about important things that are happening in the world,” said Logan Opalka who attends Siena University.

Diego Tapia also attends the university, and he said, “I for sure didn't agree with a lot of the things that Mr. Kirk said, but I don't believe he should have gone through what he went through. Because in the end, we're all human beings and we should all be able to respectfully, you know, be able to disagree with someone without having to lead to anything horrible.”

Local colleges, including Siena University, said they will not be restricting future events or making changes to policy after the shooting of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus.

"Siena has not changed any of its procedures or canceled any upcoming events. There have not been any discussions about adding additional levels of security to what is already in place,” said a representative of the university.

UAlbany officials said they are coordinating with campus police to ensure programs remain safe, “With hundreds attending last year’s events, the response underscored how important it is to create space for dialogue that encourages reflection and understanding, which is needed now more than ever.”  

And over at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) they said they will continue to foster an environment of civil discourse, without mentioning any safety changes. "We have existing policies safeguarding free speech on campus... We continue to foster an environment of civil discourse where perspectives are respectfully shared among members of the campus community and the public,” said an official with HVCC.