Sean Penn made a bold political declaration after Charlie Kirk‘s death following his fatal shooting.
On September 10, Kirk, 31 — a conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA — was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. Celebrities, politicians, and regular folks alike have weighed in on the killing, the politics surrounding his death, including free speech, and more. Jimmy Kimmel Live! was even suspended for six days after host Jimmy Kimmel‘s remarks about President Donald Trump‘s reaction to Kirk’s murder.
During a recent sit-down with The New York Times, Penn, 65, declared that “we need” people like Kirk’s despite the Mystic River actor disagreeing with “almost everything” he stood for.
“We need that debate,” Penn told the publication. “We’ve gotta fight it out and find a compromise. [Acts of political violence] do come into fashion, and the way we kill the fashion of it is people of conscience on both sides recognizing that if somebody really believes something, that’s your friend.”
Additionally, Penn called for the nation to recognize viewpoints that differ from their own as “valid opinions.”
“I’m talking about if somebody believes that a human being starts at conception, if you can’t understand that concept, you’re just stupid,” he explained. “And if you’re not willing to tolerate the concept as a concept that’s held as deeply as I may have a belief that, I don’t know, let the woman decide. All of these are valid opinions.”
Many other celebrities have spoken out about Kirk’s death in recent weeks. Whoopi Goldberg sent a message to Kirk’s killer on The View. Mark Ruffalo issued a bold prediction about if Jimmy Kimmel Live! were canceled. Real Time With Bill Maher host and comedian Bill Maher sent a blunt response to Kirk’s death. Meanwhile, HGTV star Erin Napier ruffled feathers with her message, and Teen Mom personality Farrah Abraham divided fans with her emotional response. Kristin Chenoweth also got emotional over the backlash to her Kirk tribute, while Tim Allen finally forgave his father’s killer after Erika Kirk said she forgave her husband’s shooter at his memorial service.