As the newly elected Presidents of the College Democrats and College Republicans, we have been deeply disturbed by the political violence that has gripped our country.

On September 10, Charlie Kirk was assassinated in one of the most reprehensible and heartbreaking acts of violence our nation has witnessed.

Sadly, this was not an isolated tragedy. Over the summer, Minnesota Democratic lawyer and former state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman were stalked and shot dead in their own home. Earlier that day, the same gunman also shot and hospitalized Minnesota Democratic Senator John Hoffman alongside his wife, Yvette Hoffman. In recent years, multiple attempts have been made on the life of President Donald Trump. The husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was brutally attacked in his home. Attempts were also made on the life of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Violence has no place in our politics — yet it continues to threaten leaders, families and communities across the country.

Evil knows no boundaries, and must be condemned wherever it rears its head. Far too often, voices on both sides of the isle have mocked, diminished and dismissed the suffering of those targeted for their political beliefs for simply exercising their right to free speech. Charlie Kirk believed deeply in free expression, the marketplace of ideas and civil dialogue. No person, let alone an American, should ever lose their life for the principles of civil liberties and of our Republican Democracy.

In this time of grief, we must return to civility and mutual respect. Social media has made it easy to view one another through the worst lens possible, creating bubbles that divide us and leave little to no room for understanding. The truth is that real change does not come from echo chambers, it comes from conversations with our neighbors, our friends, our roommates: the people we see every day.

Today, we call on you to take the first step toward tearing down walls and building up bridges. Without knowing and respecting one another, we will remain trapped in this violent and intolerant chapter of American history. The responsibility to change course belongs to all of us.

It is up to you, friend.