By Kolby R. LaMarche

Yesterday, Burlington’s Democratic City Councilors issued a statement denouncing a rising tide of political and gun violence across the U.S., triggered by the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. 

The email cites Kirk’s death alongside other incidents: the murder of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, an attempted attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, the 2022 assault on Paul Pelosi, and shootings at Evergreen High School in Colorado and Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. 

“No one deserves to be a victim of violence, even if we find their views abhorrent, as we do of Mr. Kirk’s,” the councilors wrote. 

Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a Q&A at Utah Valley University. Authorities recovered a high-powered rifle near the campus and have today arrested a suspect, described as college-aged.

The Democrats demanded an end to what they called “violent, divisive political and interpersonal rhetoric” and advocated for “common-sense gun safety laws” in Vermont and nationwide. 

Acknowledging that national events are often beyond local control, they shifted to Burlington, where Democrats say local politics has already been infected. “We cannot and will not stand idly by while dangerous rhetoric takes root in our community,” the email read.

Democrats point to a social media post, posted by failed Progressive council candidate Lee Morrigan, which allegedly showed a knife aimed at a City Councilor’s face, part of a pattern of threats against Burlington’s elected officials, Democrats say. 

While affirming free speech rights, Democratic councilors called the image “unacceptable.” 

In their letter, they also expressed alarm that a sitting councilor, Progressive Councilor Melo Grant, “liked” the knife photo on Instagram, accusing Grant, though not by name, of endorsing violent imagery. 

The Democrats urged the administration and council colleagues to condemn the action, referencing Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak’s March statement: “Burlington is built on respect and unity… Constructive debate is healthy; personal attacks and hate are not.”

The councilor involved, Progressive Melo Grant, represents Burlington’s Central District. 

At a Ward 2 Neighborhood Planning Assembly meeting yesterday, Grant, a former police commissioner, addressed the issue. She described the post as a “satirical cartoon” and explained her action as a response to ongoing disputes. 

“The councilor in the cartoon has actively been lying about me and criticizing my work,” Grant said. “It’s a form of political violence to lie about another councilor,” she continued. “It’s a form of political violence to dismiss somebody’s work.”

Progressive City Councilor Melo Grant approaches Democrat Evan Litwin at a NPA meeting earlier this year in May.

Grant expanded her definition of political violence to include fabricating data to target marginalized groups, accepting gun violence as the leading cause of child deaths, and tolerating homelessness in a wealthy nation. 

Grant distanced herself from Kirk’s views but rejected any suggestion she supported his killing. “Obviously, as a black woman, I had no love for Charlie Kirk,” she said, “but did I want him murdered? Of course not. To imply I would be okay with that is a form of political violence.”

Grant also criticized local media, specifically WCAX, for reporting that Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak rejected an offer from Governor Phil Scott for Vermont State Police assistance. “There was no expressed or explicit offer,” she said, calling the report “poor journalism.” She faulted a fellow councilor for spreading the story without verification, arguing it hinders collaboration.

The Democrats’ email calls on constituents to counter hate with connection and de-escalate heated rhetoric. “Be the person who connects, rather than divides,” they wrote.