The newly elected president of the Oxford Union, George Abaraonye, is facing allegations of downplaying the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest that Abaraonye made insensitive remarks about Kirk’s untimely death shortly after he was shot in the neck while discussing mass shootings at a university campus in Utah.
Screenshots of messages reportedly sent by Abaraonye have circulated widely on various social media platforms. This development coincides with Charlie Kirk being portrayed as a martyr of gun violence following the resurgence of claims about a ‘prudent deal’.
One of the messages, purportedly shared on WhatsApp, read: “Charlie Kirk got shot, let’s go”. Another message, reportedly posted on Instagram by Abaraonye, said: “Charlie Kirk got shot lol”, as per reports from the Express.
In response to the backlash over the alleged messages, Abaraonye issued a statement clarifying that his comments were made in a moment of shock and did not align with his personal values. He expressed regret for the remarks and emphasized that nobody should suffer political violence regardless of their beliefs.
Abaraonye, who won the presidency in June, had a previous confrontation with Charlie Kirk during a heated debate at the University in May. The altercation centered on the contentious topic of “toxic masculinity” where they held opposing views on its societal impact.
Additionally, Abaraonye held the position of vice-president at the Oxford African and Caribbean Society, engaging in discussions on racial diversity as part of the Race Equality Task force.
The Oxford Union has distanced itself from Abaraonye’s comments, with a statement condemning his reported sentiments regarding Charlie Kirk’s passing. The society emphasized its opposition to political violence, highlighting a commitment to free speech and respectful discourse.
The tragic incident involving Charlie Kirk, who was shot during a presentation on mass shootings, led to his demise at a hospital. Authorities are actively searching for the perpetrator, described as a young student-like individual, with CCTV footage aiding in the investigation.
Oxford Union’s current leadership under president Moosa Harraj has no affiliation with Abaraonye’s administration, as clarified in their statement denouncing his remarks. The society extended condolences to Charlie Kirk’s family, particularly his wife and children, during this difficult time.