{"id":16501,"date":"2025-09-17T02:14:58","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T08:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/reaction-to-kirk-assassination-comes-to-cortez-school-is-silent-about-teacher\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T21:58:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:58:44","slug":"reaction-to-kirk-assassination-comes-to-cortez-school-is-silent-about-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/reaction-to-kirk-assassination-comes-to-cortez-school-is-silent-about-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"Reaction to Kirk assassination comes to Cortez: School is silent about teacher"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A
A memorial for Charlie Kirk was held in central Seoul on Monday. Kirk was assassinated while speaking on a college campus on Sept. 10. (Bailey Duran\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note:<\/strong> Bailey Duran is an education reporter for The Journal. She divides her time between Cortez and Seoul, where she studies the Korean language. She is a former ambassador and employee for the Standing for Freedom Center at Liberty University. She knew Erika Kirk and met Charlie Kirk, and has done research work for a Turning Point USA employee.<\/em><\/p>\n

SEOUL, South Korea \u2013 A week ago, Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and Christian leader, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. He was 31.<\/p>\n

The public assassination sparked immediate reactions in the United States and abroad.<\/p>\n

Some cheered online, posting comments such as, \u201cHe created the world in which he died,\u201d along with selfie videos of laughter and remarks like \u201cThoughts and giggles\u201d and \u201cChampagne anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

Others, including strangers to Kirk and his debating style, were grief-stricken, questioning how a difference in opinion could lead to murder.<\/p>\n

\"Lindi
Lindi New\u2019s post following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Some businesses, regardless of political affiliation, fired employees who celebrated Kirk\u2019s death, citing concerns about employing someone who could cheer a murder.<\/p>\n

MSNBC fired senior political analyst Matthew Dowd after his less-than-compassionate on-air reaction to Kirk\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

At home in Cortez<\/div>\n

Late last week, the commentary reached Cortez.<\/p>\n

Just days after Kirk\u2019s assassination, the Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 School District posted a Facebook announcement about a teacher\u2019s comments regarding Kirk.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has come to our attention that a Montezuma-Cortez High School teacher recently made inappropriate comments on social media regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk,\u201d the district said. \u201cWe strongly condemn the vile message shared by this employee as it does not reflect the standards we expect of our staff. We remain committed to upholding the values of professionalism and respect for our students, families, colleagues and community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teacher was Lindi New, a science teacher at Montezuma-Cortez High School, who was named by the district as Teacher of the Year for 2025<\/a>. The Journal<\/em> received screenshots revealing New\u2019s full comments.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought about trying empathy, the high road, or just saying nothing at all, but after the school shooting in Colorado, honestly, I just can\u2019t be (redacted) to be kind about bull (redacted) anymore,\u201d New said in her post. \u201cThis is karma \u2026 for being cold, racist, transphobic and hateful, inciting violence and generally being a garbage person, and we need better gun laws in our country. And I\u2019m a \u2018gun person.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

New posted similar sentiments elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m also a little torn because I believe that any politically motivated crime is an act of terrorism, including against this ingrown hair, but why weren\u2019t similar acts designated as such against MN lawmakers or school children,\u201d she continued. \u201cAnd why the hell is he getting some kind of Medal of Honor?\u201d<\/p>\n

The district announced in June that New was named Teacher of the Year, noting that she mentored new teachers and contributed to curriculum development in an effort to elevate science education. The recognition highlighted her influence on the MCHS community.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer dedication, leadership and positive spirit make this honor not only well deserved, but a reflection of the profound impact she has on our school community,\u201d the district said.<\/p>\n

Superintendent Tom Burris of Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 has not responded to The Journal\u2019s<\/em> questions about the teacher\u2019s status.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Remembering Kirk\u2019s legacy<\/div>\n

While some lashed out at Kirk, others rallied around his family and mission, promising to pick up the \u201cbloody microphone\u201d where Kirk dropped it in Utah. Some adopted the motif \u201cI am Charlie Kirk,\u201d identifying with his beliefs, values and boldness.<\/p>\n

At vigils across the United States, including campuses such as Arizona State University and Utah Valley University, where Kirk died, thousands gathered to grieve.<\/p>\n

At Liberty University in Virginia, where Kirk received an honorary doctoral degree and helped establish the Standing for Freedom Center, students gathered on the lawn, praying and worshiping.<\/p>\n

After a statement from Erika Kirk, Turning Point USA received 37,000 new chapter requests<\/a>, up from the 900 college and 1,200 high school chapters.<\/p>\n

In South Korea, where Kirk visited the week before his death, a memorial appeared in Incheon near the statue of Douglas MacArthur, which Kirk visited before flying back to the U.S. Funeral wreaths lined the sidewalk next to the monument as mourners paid their respects. Groups marched through Jamsil and Myeongdong carrying Korean and American flags and signs honoring Kirk.<\/p>\n

On Monday in Seoul, a makeshift memorial created by the Korean group Freedom Univ stood near Sunghyemun Gate, a popular landmark. Korean citizens and foreigners alike, young and old, carried single white flowers and bouquets to place on the memorial table, which was filled with notes and photos of Kirk.<\/p>\n

In Korean tradition, white flowers at funerals signify a tragic death. Individuals took turns placing flowers and standing in silence or prayer. A group of Korean men wearing ROTC hats saluted Kirk\u2019s photo. A small child looked up at a picture of Kirk.<\/p>\n

\"A
A child looked at Charlie Kirk\u2019s photo as she visited the memorial with her mother and brother on Monday. (Bailey Duran\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Four
Four members of Korea\u2019s ROTC saluted Charlie Kirk\u2019s memorial on Monday. (Bailey Duran\/Special to The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Hundreds of sticky notes surrounded the memorial, written in both Korean and English. Some read:<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cThank you for giving hope and courage to a Korean patriot, Charlie Kirk. I won\u2019t forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cCharlie, you inspired me to fight for our country. I\u2019ll pray for your family every day. I love you!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 \u201cYou are our hero. Your legacy will go on!\u201d<\/p>\n

Plans for Kirk\u2019s funeral<\/div>\n

Kirk\u2019s funeral will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21 at the 63,000-seat State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and will reportedly include President Donald Trump posthumously presenting Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.<\/p>\n

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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