I need your help to answer this…
Dear Pro-Life Friend,
This is Kristan Hawkins from Students for Life.
If you read one message from me this week, I pray it’s this one.
I’m still in shock that Charlie Kirk – a brilliant, passionate defender of conservative values who became such a dear friend – is no longer with us.
I’m heartbroken for his wife Erika and their two little children.
I was actually on-campus at the University of Montana holding my own campus event when the assassination took place.
When I told the crowd of 200 students surrounding me what had happened, some of them actually cheered and laughed. One young man actually shouted, "YEAH! THIS IS WAR!"
I’ve been in this fight for two decades, and I’ve never felt my stomach drop like it did in that moment in a combination of shock and sadness at the inhumanity I was witnessing.
This is something, quite frankly, I’ll probably never “move on” from.
But as the president of the largest pro-life student group in the nation, I also know I owe it to our 1,577+ student groups to continue to lead with boldness and strength.
Which brings me to why I’m writing you…
I need to ask you a question.
Your answer will help me determine EVERYTHING about how Students for Life moves forward from here.
Should Students for Life CANCEL our campus tours for the rest of the fall semester?
Of course, you and I both know that’s exactly what Charlie Kirk’s killer would want.
But after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, I’m hearing from some that college campuses are just too dangerous to fool with.
I don’t believe them.
I believe if I can pay for the appropriate security – which our team is currently gathering information on – we can and must continue.
After all, Charlie was assassinated so the Left could restore their stranglehold on college campuses.
That alone PROVES just how critical the Left views young people to their political power.
Frankly, it’s not in me to just walk away from a fight.
But if supporters like you aren’t with me – and can’t or won’t help us cover increased security costs we’re facing, which I’ll tell you about shortly – I don’t really know what other option I have.
So, if you could please answer your supporter poll, I’d really appreciate it.
The truth is, with 1,577 student groups nationwide, I have an army of scared young people looking to me – and you – for leadership.
What I want to tell them is that Charlie was killed because the Left is desperate. They know you and I are beating them.
After all, you don’t MURDER your opposition if you’re winning the argument.
The night after Charlie’s assassination I couldn’t sleep.
So, I watched a few clips from his old campus speaking events.
At one of these events a while back, Charlie was asked why he goes to campuses to engage in debate with students. His response was so simple, yet so powerful:
“When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence. That’s when civil war happens, because you start to think the other side is so evil and they lose their humanity.” -Charlie Kirk
I couldn’t have said it any better.
After all, college campuses are supposed to be bastions of free speech where anyone can exchange ideas.
But after Charlie’s assassination, I’m concerned that will get more difficult.
Since Charlie’s murder, I’ve had to make security decisions I never imagined I’d have to make:
>>> I’ve hired a 24/7-armed guard for our home. That’s $97 an hour – honestly a deal for around-the-clock protection. But that adds up to $32,592 for just two weeks of coverage.
>>> All our windows now have newspaper taped over them so you can't see inside from the street. I know it looks terrible, but until I can afford to get them properly tinted, it’s what we have to do.
>>> We’re installing security cameras around the property.
>>> I’ve hired a former Navy SEAL to monitor threats against me and our team on the dark web. The things he’s already found…I can’t even tell you.
>>> My security team tells me we’ll need metal detector wands at every campus event now, plus bomb-sniffing dogs.
>>> In left-wing states, where my security team can’t carry firearms, we’ll have to pony up for local police protection.
>>> We’re discussing whether to hold any more outdoor events at all. If outdoors, we’ll need drones. If we have to move everything inside that could bring additional costs for venue rentals.
And that’s just me.
Dozens of brave young women and men – many of which are still in their teens – are checking their backs tonight to make sure they have all the materials needed to set up their tables and displays tomorrow morning.
They’re also saying an extra prayer for God’s protection.
Their displays are part of our 160-campus, 40-state “All Human Life is Valuable” Tour.
I couldn’t think of a more fitting theme for this time right now.
From the smallest child in the womb to the most vulnerable at the end of life, from Charlie Kirk to former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman who was murdered along with her husband earlier this year . . .
The one thing that truly unites us is our shared humanity.
We’re looking to set up a 24/7 hotline for students to send in tips about potential threats they face as they bring the truth about the violence of abortion to their peers.
And I know there will be additional precautions we’re going to have to take that I just don’t know about yet.
Needless to say, my budget for the fall semester is completely blown.
But quite frankly, that is far from my top concern.
The thousands of death threats I’ve received over the years have suddenly become very real.
My husband Jonathan – who has been my rock for 26 years – is torn between wanting to support this fight to save innocent preborn lives and protect his wife at all costs.
My children, whom I’ve taken with me to dozens of my college campus speaking events, are now old enough to be aware of what’s going on in the world.
They’re worried if one day I’ll suffer the same fate Charlie did.
As of right now, I haven’t canceled any events.
I’m waiting to hear back from our supporters…especially you.
So, what should I do?
Should I CANCEL our campus tours for the fall semester?
Or, should we press on to defend Life?
I need to hear back from as many Students for Life supporters as possible.
As I mentioned, this is possibly the most critical decision I’ve been faced with over the past nearly two decades leading Students for Life.
I can’t make it on my own.
I’ve always said this isn’t my organization. It’s yours.
Without the support, prayers, and sacrificial giving of good men and women like you, Students for Life would be nothing.
That’s why I’m coming to you – humbly asking for your advice.
Will you please let me know what to do next?
Charlie died believing that young people could be reached with truth. He died fighting for the future of our country.
So, I can’t imagine retreating now.
But I need to know you’re with me. I need to know that if I pack my bags for the next campus visit, I’m not doing it alone.
The Abortion Lobby thinks Charlie’s murder will scare us into silence.
They’re about to find out how wrong they are.
For Life,
Kristan Hawkins
President, Students for Life
Students for Life Supporter Poll
After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Students for Life is at a cross roads.
Should Students for Life CANCEL our campus tours for the rest of the fall semester to maintain the safety of our team and my family, potentially giving up on bringing the pro-life message directly to college campuses?
Of course, you and I both know that’s exactly what Charlie Kirk’s killer would want.
Or . . .
Should I PRESS ON to defend Life?
I know what I want to do. But I need to know what YOU think.