Kamal Ghorui
A new Kansas law will allow college students to sue their schools for free-speech violations. In Tennessee, a new law will encourage teachers and professors to include “the positive impacts of religion” in American history courses.The common factor: Both are being done in the name of Charlie Kirk . The laws are among the first of what could become multiple state tributes to the conservative activist who was killed while speaking at a Utah university last year.More than 60 Kirk-themed bills have been proposed in over 20 states seeking to promote his ideology, establish official days of remembrance or affix his name to roads and public places, according to an AP analysis using the billtracking software Plural.Republican lawmakers in Kansas overrode the veto of Democratic governor Laura Kelly to enact a law that she said would “cause confusion for courts and schools.”In Tennessee, where Republicans firmly control state govt, some Democrats denounced the pro-Kirk legislation by recounting what they described as racist remarks he made about Black pilots and Black women in govt positions. “How many times have we sat here and endured this? The Charlie Kirk Saves America Act, whatever the heck it is?” Democratic state Rep Sam McKenzie said during a committee meeting where Republicans endorsed the “Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act.”In Louisiana, Republicans have proposed a bill dubbed the “Charlie Kirk Success Sequence Act.” The measure would require public schools to teach that the keys to success include earning a high school diploma, immediately entering the workforce after high school or college, and marrying before having children. A Senate panel advanced the bill this week after overcoming objections.
