After Charlie Kirk Assassination: NJ Senators Join Forces to Fight Political Violence on College Campuses
photo courtesy of Ramapo College
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Mahwah NJ, In a polarized political climate, two unlikely allies from the New Jersey Senate are joining forces with a crucial mission: to dial down the hostile rhetoric that has tragically escalated to violence.
State Senators Jon Bramnick (R-21) and Joseph Cryan (D-20)—longtime friends and lawmakers whose districts overlap in Union County—have launched the “Civility Tour,” a bipartisan initiative aimed at promoting respectful, solutions-oriented political dialogue across the state.
The timing of their tour takes on heightened significance following the recent, shocking assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The Senators believe that in the wake of such violence, it is more vital than ever to lead by example.
The Ramapo College Dialogue: How to Talk Through Tough Issues
On Thursday, the bipartisan duo brought their message to Ramapo College, engaging with an enthusiastic group of Ramapo students (or “Roadrunners”). The core message? Focus on issues, not on attacking opponents.
“We’re here today… because we want to talk about issues and how you talk about issues and how you solve problems,” explained Senator Bramnick.
The event featured a lively Question and Answer session where students challenged the lawmakers on a wide range of topics: from the death penalty and gun violence to the regulation of E-bikes.
The Senators demonstrated the very civility they preached. Despite their differing individual views, they engaged in a careful, respectful discussion—without resorting to shouting, fighting, or divisive labeling. Their history of working together on complex legislation served as a powerful testament to finding common ground in Trenton.
The Moderates Must Rise: Challenging the Extremes
Senator Cryan expressed hope that students would emulate this example, urging them to look past political labels and engage in genuine discussion.
Senator Bramnick voiced a popular sentiment, stating that in his experience, 80% of people are moderate in their views. He called for the silent majority to step forward: “I would love to see the 80% in the middle stand up and rise up against the extremists.” He added a stark warning that without more civil discourse, political groups ginned up by their “support groups” could escalate to violence.
The students clearly connected with the message. Julian Buitrago, a Political Science major, praised the format: “I think this is a great way to bring people together and not polarize their opinions and see that you can agree on some things… and that’s okay.”
Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb reinforced the value of the platform, noting that building trust is the foundation for open dialogue. “If you cultivate relationships, you get to know people. If you have trust, you can have conversations like this,” she said, underscoring the critical role of institutions of higher learning in fostering civic health.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
