In the days following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a wave of candlelight vigils, public tributes, and heated debates has swept across the United States, laying bare the nation’s deep political divisions and the complex legacy of a figure who galvanized supporters and fueled fierce opposition in equal measure.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University during the kickoff of his “American Comeback Tour.” According to the Associated Press, federal prosecutors were expected to file a capital murder charge against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspected gunman, on Tuesday, September 16. Kirk’s death sent immediate shockwaves through conservative circles and college campuses alike, igniting both mourning and controversy.
In Bradenton, Florida, local Republican groups organized a vigil at G.T. Bray Park on Tuesday evening, drawing hundreds who came to honor what organizers called “the greatest conservative voice of our generation.” The Sarasota-Bradenton, Pinellas County, and Tampa Bay Young Republicans, who coordinated the event, encouraged attendees to wear patriotic attire and bring flags, signs, and folding chairs. The event, originally slated for a smaller venue, was moved to the park’s amphitheater due to overwhelming interest—about 850 people had indicated their intention to attend as of Tuesday morning.
“We look forward to a wonderful tribute to Charlie, and together, we will stand in unity to honor a life taken too soon, and a fellow member of this community, and commit ourselves to carrying forward a brighter future for America,” the Sarasota-Bradenton Young Republicans wrote in a social media post. Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique, one of the event’s organizers, expressed his anticipation for the turnout, stating, “I am excited for what is going to be an amazing turnout. I hope to see you all there!”
The vigil came amid heightened security concerns and the possibility of protests. Organizers addressed these issues openly, noting on Facebook, “While we are not expecting protesters, there is always the possibility some from the community may come out to do so. We ask everyone in attendance to ignore these protesters and to not engage.” Law enforcement and plainclothes officers were present to ensure safety.
Tributes to Kirk were not limited to Florida. In Waukesha, Wisconsin, several thousand gathered at Cutler Park on the same evening for a memorial organized by the Wisconsin Young Republicans. The scene was marked by candlelight, American flags, and chants of “USA! USA!” and “Charlie!” Former Governor Scott Walker, now president of Young America’s Foundation, addressed the crowd, reflecting on Kirk’s ability to connect with young people. “Many young people have lost a leader,” Walker said. “A leader who gave them a voice, who let them know that they could speak out for their values.”
Brett Galaszewski, national enterprise director for Kirk’s Turning Point Action group, praised the turnout and shared that Kirk had been particularly proud of the organization’s work in Wisconsin. “This is our turning point,” Galaszewski declared, noting a surge in interest and volunteers since Kirk’s murder. Other speakers, including Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, echoed the sentiment that Kirk’s influence would not be forgotten.
For many attendees, Kirk’s death was deeply personal. Grace and Jared Wire, a young couple from Kenosha, described themselves as longtime supporters. “We’re Christians, and we’re conservatives. So we pretty much agree with everything he ever taught,” said Grace. Another attendee, Josh Jacobson, remarked, “This hit me harder than anything has in (terms of) political violence. The goal of those people that are perpetrating all of this violence is to keep us afraid and to keep us isolated, and make us think we’re alone.”
Across the country, the annual Faith and Freedom Coalition victory dinner in Duluth, Georgia, became another focal point for mourning and reflection. Prayers dedicated to Kirk opened the event, and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins delivered a pointed speech, saying, “Even though that bullet killed Charlie Kirk, it was meant for everyone in this room — it was meant to kill our ideals and our beliefs in this country.” Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is running for governor, revealed that the tragedy had struck close to home, sharing, “Even my 13-year-old, he’s in the 7th grade, and he even asked me over the weekend, he said, ‘Daddy are you in danger?’”
Yet, as conservatives gathered to honor Kirk’s legacy, his death also reignited fierce disputes over his influence and message. At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a tribute painted on the campus “spirit rock” was defaced less than 24 hours after a candlelight vigil drew an unexpectedly large crowd of 750 to 1,000 attendees. Fox News Digital reported that videos captured students harassing Kirk’s supporters and pouring paint over the mural. Reagan Faulkner, president of the College Republicans chapter at UNCW, described the vigil as “beautiful” and said, “Absolutely honored Charlie in a wonderful way.” But, she added, “We still think it’s worth standing up, but instead of painting over it, we’re choosing to respond differently. We’re bringing worship music, signs that say, ‘I Am Charlie Kirk’ and we’re praying and singing.”
Faulkner and other conservative students criticized the university’s response, arguing that officials had failed to protect them from harassment. “I think that the part blaming it on us is shameful,” Faulkner told Fox News Digital, after police told students that the incident did not rise to the level of arrest. Brendan Chafin, a student and member of both Turning Point USA and the College Republicans, echoed these concerns: “We just want the school to see challenges us Christian conservative students face and to take action against the students who defaced the memorial and assaulted conservative students. This needs to be done immediately to show that hate and violence against Christian conservatives does not belong on campus or in our society.”
The controversy extended to social media, where Kirk’s critics and supporters clashed over his legacy. Some denounced what they saw as Kirk’s “hateful and discriminatory rhetoric,” while others mourned him as a champion of free speech and a conservative hero. The announcement by New College of Florida to commission a privately funded statue of Kirk for its Sarasota campus only intensified the debate. “Charlie Kirk knew that universities are ground zero for free speech and the marketplace of ideas,” New College President Richard Corcoran said in a news release. “These ideas are not luxuries, but the foundation of a free republic. His life and tragic death remind us all that a nation cannot survive if it abandons these rights.” Social media responses ranged from praise to derision, reflecting the polarized views that defined Kirk’s career.
Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA and was a part-time resident of Longboat Key, was renowned for his combative debates on immigration, race, gender, and Christian nationalist ideals. He was widely credited with boosting former President Donald Trump’s youth support in the 2024 election and was a fixture at conservative rallies and college events nationwide.
As vigils, tributes, and protests continue, the legacy of Charlie Kirk remains a flashpoint in America’s ongoing struggle over speech, activism, and political identity. His death, and the responses it has provoked, have underscored just how fraught and consequential those battles remain in the public square.
