The recent violence in Minnesota that resulted in the assassination of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted assassination of senator John Hoffman and his wife, are still shrouded in mystery as the details of the assault are still to be clarified.
This has once again shaken the foundations of our democratic life. Beyond political affiliations, personal or social contexts that may surround the case, the truth is that politically motivated violence constitutes a direct and devastating threat to the very soul of democracy.
A “manifesto” found in the vehicle of the alleged attacker, Vance Boelter, includes a list of fifty “targets.” A common denominator seems to be that most of these targets were liberals with pro-abortion rights positions. The two dead were a Democratic legislator and her husband.
This is not, unfortunately, an isolated incident. In recent years, we have witnessed a worrying increase in the levels of verbal aggression, threats, and physical attacks against public servants, journalists, and citizens simply exercising their rights in public spaces. In this tense environment, words become weapons, and ideas become banners of war. Extreme polarization has ceased to be a vigorous debate of ideas and has transformed, in many cases, into a spiral of hatred and confrontation.
What happened in Minnesota is unacceptable. The life of an elected representative—of any party, ideology, or level of government—cannot become a target of violence for their public service.
But this is not a problem exclusive to the United States. It is also a global phenomenon. In Mexico, without going too far, violence against local elected officials or candidates for elected office seems to be an everyday occurrence.
When a society allows violence to replace dialogue, when fear silences dissent, we are at a breaking point. From that moment on, the return is difficult and painful.
We must raise our voices—clearly and firmly—against all forms of political violence. From inflammatory rhetoric that dehumanizes the adversary to physical acts of aggression and murder. Democracy is not only defended at the ballot box; it is also defended with responsible words, with respect for differences, and by building bridges, not trenches.
Elected officials and political leaders of all parties have an inescapable moral responsibility: to temper the temperature of public discourse, unambiguously condemn acts of violence, and show, by example, that dissent can and should be channeled through peaceful and institutional channels.
The media, social networks, schools, and families also have a role to play in raising critical but respectful citizens, firm in their convictions but tolerant of those of others.
The political violence against these lawmakers cannot be just another name added to the statistics or a case that fades into the news cycle. It must be a turning point. A moment of pain, yes, but also of national awareness.
Democracy is fragile, but its strength lies in the will of its citizens to defend it, even—and above all—in difficult times. All forms of political violence must be categorically rejected. Because without peace, there is no democracy possible.
