After she was suspended for a touching memorial to slain conservative Charlie Kirk, Illinois anchor Beni Rae Harmony resigned from WICS, a local news station. In her emotional broadcast, she grieved for her former mentor and quoted him saying, “When conversations stop happening… that’s when violence begins.”
For context, when news broke on social media, conservatives responded with an outpouring of sympathy, with many users wondering if the media outlet should be boycotted. Additionally, many users expressed their condolences and lauded her honesty.
In any case, as we reported, Harmony began her emotional remarks by explaining her relationship to Kirk. “Two days ago, I lost a mentor, my first boss, the first person who made me believe in myself, who encouraged me to chase this dream that you’re watching right now,” the anchor said.
Building on this point, the courageous conservative said, “I want to share with you one of my favorite sayings that Charlie would always tell us at the office. He would yell it from the mountain top. So please listen when conversations stop happening, when individuals become wordless, that’s when violence begins.”
Concluding her emotional memorial, the anchor gave encouragement ot the audience. “So if you do one thing today, make it be with passion, with conviction. Stand up for your friends. Stand up for your beliefs and speak loudly, even if your voice shakes; your words have meaning. Your values have purpose. Never forget that. Thank you. CK changed my life,” she noted.
After her remarks went viral, Harmony provided an update. “My resignation is guided by values that are essential to who I am, which I refuse to set aside in order to keep a job. I choose my faith and love of country, and always will,” she said.
Reacting to the case, Trump official Kari Lake addressed the controversy. “If you live in Springfield, Illinois, please stop watching this ABC station that apparently punished a young broadcast journalist for her heartfelt reporting of the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” she stated.
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Building on this point, she added, “And let’s lift up @BeniRaeHarmony , that journalist,who is courageous enough to be truthful no matter the consequences,” putting into words what many other conservatives felt.
Reacting to one article on the issue, a popular social media account stated, “So I read all these stories and I dont see anything about Beni Rae Harmony thanking Charlie Kirk for initially hiring her years ago and giving his family her sympathies. Then you subsequently suspended her. ”
Building on this point, the same user praised her morality. “Thank goodness she had the morality to resign. I’m just trying to find out the reason for her suspension. I tried calling your station numerous times with your leadership either hanging up or mumbling or denying or not saying anything. You animals are pathetic and many now have and are planning a complaint to the FCC. You people are disgusting!” the social media user said.
Suggesting a possible boycott, one popular conservative noted, “It’s absolutely ridiculous that ABC affiliate news anchor Beni Rae Harmony had to resign after being suspended simply for paying tribute to Charlie Kirk live on-air. Advertisers should pull all ads from that station!”
Watch the clip here:
Agreeing, another post threatened a boycott, “People who live in Springfield, IL, should repost this on every @wics_ABC20 social media post they make on any platform for the next year. Along with boycotting their channel.”
Featured image from embedded video