Political intimidation charge floated in Pennsylvania after Kirk assassination

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(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania may soon consider “political intimidation” a criminal offense after one lawmaker says doing so will help counter the alarming rise in ideologically-based attacks across the country.

Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Honesdale, began circulating a proposal in the state Legislature to do just that, citing the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the April firebombing of the governor’s mansion in Harrisburg.

“Just as Pennsylvania law has long recognized that crimes motivated by racial, ethnic, or religious animus deserve enhanced punishment, so too must we act to ensure that individuals are not targeted because of their political affiliation, beliefs, or civil role,” he said in the cosponsorship memo dated Sept. 19. “Significantly, my bill is narrowly tailored to punish certain conduct, not speech.  Peaceful protest, disagreement, and advocacy remain fully protected by the First Amendment.”

The commonwealth already prohibits voter intimidation under its election law. Being caught doing so is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

“By enacting this legislation, Pennsylvania can make it clear that political violence has no place in this commonwealth, and that citizens of all viewpoints can speak, campaign, vote, and serve in public life free from intimidation,” Fritz said. “As Mr. Kirk demonstrated his willingness to engage across ideological divides, this legislation serves to honor his legacy by affirming that ideas should be tested in the marketplace of public discourse and that violence must never be permitted to silence voices in our society.”

Kirk, 31, died at a Utah hospital on Sept. 10 after being shot through his neck as he spoke during a campus free speech event. Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of the killing. The activist was also revered for his Christian conservatism, though his views on diversity policies, transgender ideology and nationalism often drew scorn from Democrats.

Although the investigation into the shooter’s motive continues, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has described him as inspired by “radical leftist ideology.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family escaped his official residence in Harrisburg after a man threw Molotov cocktails into the dining room while they slept upstairs. The man arrested for the crime, Cody Balmer, was described as suffering from “acute mental illness” and has told 911 operators that he “will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people.”

Shapiro dismissed Balmer’s potential motive, noting that people from all faiths and political backgrounds had offered support to his family.

Speaking at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, the governor again called once more for leaders to act and speak with “moral clarity.”

Shapiro insisted that Pennsylvania, a commonwealth founded on the principles of tolerance championed by Quaker William Penn, can demonstrate “a path forward."

He called the U.S., “a nation where civil disagreement should be welcome, because that discourse can lead to progress,” saying, “We understand that when you hear speech you disagree with, the answer is more speech – not violence.”