Hundreds of mourners gathered in communities from Rhode Island to California and New Jersey this week, united by grief and a call for peace, as they honored the life and legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent media personality, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, during a university speaking engagement in Utah—a shocking act that has reverberated across the nation.
In Johnston, Rhode Island, on Sunday evening, September 21, the atmosphere at Johnston Memorial Park was somber yet resolute. According to the Johnston Sun Rise, hundreds assembled to pay tribute to Kirk, whose career was defined by his willingness to provoke debate on contentious topics such as race and gender. The event, organized by the Rhode Island Republican Party and Turning Point Action RI, brought together elected officials, political activists, and faith leaders. State Rep. Richard Fascia and Deacon Robert Troia of St. Rocco’s School were among those who spoke, but it was the words of Joe Powers, chairman of the state Republican Party, that seemed to capture the prevailing sentiment: “Charlie was a man who never picked up a weapon because his words were his weapons.”
Powers’ statement echoed throughout the evening as attendees reflected on Kirk’s approach to political discourse—passionate, often controversial, but always rooted in the belief that ideas, not violence, should shape the future. Armando Rosell, President of Turning Point Action RI, called on the crowd to channel their energy into voting and legislative advocacy. “We will not match them with violence. We will fight through legislative ideas and vote. We have to vote the right way,” he urged. To that end, representatives from Turning Point Action RI provided voter registration forms, underscoring the belief that engagement, not retaliation, is the path forward.
Meanwhile, across the country in Quincy, California, the Plumas County Courthouse became the site of another vigil on the same evening. As reported by The Plumas Sun, community members from Quincy, Greenville, Portola, and Meadow Valley converged to remember Kirk, who had been laid to rest earlier that day. The gathering was a collaboration among several area churches, and it was marked by symbols of unity and freedom: white t-shirts emblazoned with “Freedom” or “I am Charlie,” American flags, and devotional candles that flickered as the sun set over Main Street.
The ceremony opened with Reverend Rob Steen leading “America, the Beautiful,” setting a tone of solemn patriotism. Pastor Gary McFarland, who emceed the event, spoke candidly about the shock and numbness he felt upon learning of Kirk’s death, a feeling shared by many in attendance. Pastor John Sturley praised Kirk’s impact, saying he encouraged people to “come out of their shell and say what’s right.” Teresa Yorba, another speaker, emphasized that the vigil was not about division or advancing any agenda, but about upholding the fundamental rights of freedom of religion and speech. “We all have the right to speak what we believe in. That’s what Charlie stood for,” she said from the podium.
The vigil was not just about remembrance—it was a call to action. McFarland referenced a recent video statement by Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, who declared, “If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country…” That sentiment seems to be borne out by the numbers: Turning Point USA has reportedly received over 62,000 inquiries about starting new chapters since Kirk’s death, according to a post on X cited by The Plumas Sun.
Unity and the urgent need to address political violence were recurring themes. Christina Allred, a Quincy resident, said she attended to “be part of a gathering of all the churches and people who want to celebrate unity, and I wanted to honor Charlie Kirk.” Before the closing song and prayer, McFarland took a moment to acknowledge other recent violent attacks, including the shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado, an attack on the CDC, and the murder of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. “The violence needs to stop. We need to come together. And that can start right here in Plumas County,” McFarland said, echoing the hope that communities could be a bulwark against hate and division.
In Ocean County, New Jersey, a vigil at Veterans Park in Berkeley on Tuesday night drew about 400 mourners, as reported by the Asbury Park Press. The event was organized by the Ocean County GOP and attended by a roster of elected officials, including Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Jeff Van Drew, state Sen. Carmen F. Amato, and Assemblyman Gregory E. Myhre. Security was tight, with police in tactical gear and law enforcement drones patrolling overhead—a stark reminder of the tensions that now accompany public political gatherings.
Rep. Chris Smith condemned political violence as the “ultimate acts of violence, disrespect and cowardice,” and called for dialogue and understanding, even in the face of deep disagreement. Assemblyman Myhre drew historical parallels, referencing the assassinations of U.S. presidents Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy, and lamented that “the assassin’s bullet effectively becomes a veto on an entire election.” Myhre also highlighted the murder of Kirk and other recent tragedies, such as the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska and the deaths of the Hortmans in Minnesota. “Our homes, public transport and universities should be the safest places in our society, not a place where people get killed,” he said.
Rep. Van Drew cited a Rutgers University poll from April 2025, which found that “over 55% of those on the hard left think, quote: ‘that murder is somewhat justified with those with whom you disagree politically.’” He listed a series of recent violent incidents he attributed to left-leaning individuals, including shootings near the Israeli embassy and the killing of a congressional intern. Van Drew warned, “This is about good versus evil.”
Despite partisan undertones, the vigil’s prevailing message was a call for unity and nonviolence. George R. Gilmore, chairman of the Ocean County GOP, emphasized the importance of recognizing the dangers of political extremism on both sides. The event also experienced some political mischief, as a dissident Republican faction attempted to sow confusion about the vigil’s scheduling, but the official event proceeded as planned, with a focus on remembrance and resolve.
Across these diverse communities, the vigils for Charlie Kirk became more than memorials—they were forums for grappling with the rising tide of political violence and polarization in America. From Rhode Island to California and New Jersey, speakers and attendees alike called for a return to civil discourse, the protection of fundamental freedoms, and the rejection of hatred as a political tool. As the candles flickered and prayers were offered, the collective hope was clear: that Kirk’s death might serve as a catalyst for healing, not further division, inspiring Americans to choose unity and peace in the face of tragedy.
