Recruitment flyers featuring the words engraved on the bullet casings of the man who shot and killed Charlie Kirk were reportedly distributed and hung around Georgetown University‘s campus.
Advertisements for the “John Brown Club” used the words, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” some of the very words engraved on bullet casings by alleged Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson. The circular included a QR code to scan for those interested in joining. It advertised the club as “the only political group that celebrates when Nazis die.”
Upon scanning the code, users are directed to a Google Doc sign-up page welcoming them to join their club. The page informs interested parties of the club’s intentions before asking for email addresses. The greeting describing the club includes a misspelling of “know.”
“We’re building a community that’s done with ceremonial resistance and strongly worded letters. If you want to make a real change in your community, let us now [sic] below.”
Georgetown University officials removed the flyers later in the day. The “John Brown Club” does not appear to be officially associated with Georgetown University, as no club or organization by that name was listed among the existing undergraduate or graduate student clubs and organizations.
The Washington Examiner emailed Georgetown University for clarification and comment about the posters and “John Brown Club.”
John Brown was a 19th-century abolitionist in the U.S. He first gained prominence during the violent clashes of the “Bleeding Kansas” crisis in the 1850s between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas before it achieved statehood. Brown is particularly known for his roles in violent abolitionist efforts in the Pottawatamie Massacre and the raid on Harpers Ferry, a federal arsenal in West Virginia. Brown was caught after the raid failed and charged with treason. He was eventually executed for his actions.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon rebuked the posters in a post on X on Wednesday evening. She mentioned she spoke with university officials, who agreed to take down the posters.
“I am aware of the appalling posters that were displayed on Georgetown’s campus today,” McMahon posted.
“At a moment like this, Georgetown has to determine what it stands for as an institution,” she added. “ED officials have spoken to Georgetown administrators, who made the decision to remove the flyers. Campus police are investigating the incident and will deploy resources to protect students as necessary.”
Allowing violent rhetoric to fester on our nation’s campuses without consequences is dangerous. It must be condemned by institutional leaders,” McMahon said.
The education secretary also thanked the people who “spoke out against this and made noise about the posters on campus.”
“I am grateful to those who spoke out against this and made noise about the posters on campus – you made a difference. There is power in speaking up to reveal these hateful ideologies that have incited deadly violence. Keep fighting for good!”
