On the evening of September 25, 2025, the Wendy Williamson Auditorium at the University of Alaska Anchorage was nearly bursting at the seams. Close to 700 Alaskans from all walks of life gathered in a powerful display of unity and remembrance for the late Charlie Kirk, a conservative firebrand and founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot in the neck during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University just two weeks prior. As reported by Alaska Watchman, the event, initially slated for a much smaller campus venue, was moved to the larger auditorium as anticipation of a massive turnout grew.
The crowd that filled the auditorium was a tapestry of generations and backgrounds: college students, elected officials, gubernatorial hopefuls, retired lawmakers, pastors, and a host of political activists. Security was tight, with a dozen campus security guards and several armed Anchorage police officers present, a precautionary measure that underscored the charged atmosphere. Outside, volunteers handed out miniature Bibles, distributed flyers for conservative causes, and gathered signatures for a campaign to repeal ranked-choice voting. Attendees were even offered the chance to register to vote as they entered—a nod to Kirk's relentless focus on civic engagement.
Inside, contemporary Christian music echoed through the space while a large screen displayed images of Kirk with his wife Erica and their two young children. The evening opened with Jack Thompson, the 18-year-old freshman who had recently taken the helm of the UAA Turning Point USA chapter. Addressing the largest audience of his life, Thompson declared, “Charlie took his convictions into arenas where they were not merely unwelcome, but despised. He lived as a man who was aware that his days were not his own.” His words, as captured by Alaska Watchman, set the tone for a night that was both mournful and resolute.
The event was punctuated by a video message from U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, followed by a prayer led by Jim Minnery, President of the Alaska Family Council. Minnery thanked God for Kirk’s “defense of virtue and morality” and prayed that both Christians and non-believers would be inspired to forgive, grow in wisdom, and become instruments of love in the world. The spiritual undertones of the vigil were unmistakable—a reflection of Kirk’s own deep Christian faith.
Denali Tshibaka, daughter of former U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka, delivered a rousing speech that drew a standing ovation. “Labels and scare tactics did not stop Charlie Kirk,” she said. “They will not stop me, and I hope everyone in this room feels the same way.” Tshibaka’s call to “stand stronger and louder—more now than ever before” resonated with the crowd, echoing the sentiment that the worst response to Kirk’s death would be silence.
Zach Young from Alaska Young Republicans described Kirk’s death as a “gut punch,” but urged everyone to stay the course. He reminded the audience that Kirk’s true drive was to enter the “marketplace of ideas” and have real conversations with those who disagreed with him. “That’s what the shooter was trying to stop,” Young noted. “But what the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good.”
Quincy Azimi-Tabrizi, representing Americans For Prosperity – Alaska, highlighted the remarkable surge in youth activism inspired by Kirk. “In just eight days after his assassination, 62,000 young people have signed up to volunteer for Turning Point USA,” she shared, underscoring the growing influence of Kirk’s legacy. “Even in death, Charlie is inspiring people to action.” Azimi-Tabrizi also observed that Gen-Z is increasingly less likely to identify as liberal, a trend she attributed in part to Kirk’s outreach and message.
Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox, reflecting on his decade-long acquaintance with Kirk, called him “a friend whose life was a testament to civil debate, to speaking the truth, to courage and faith.” Cox recounted, “He was an old soul, but he was 21. He had so much profound faith—not just in his country, but in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Cox also praised Erica Kirk’s public forgiveness of her husband’s killer, calling it “a powerful example of forgiveness forged in faith.” He concluded with a warning: “We should never allow an assassin’s veto to dictate who gets to speak in the public square. Charlie showed us that defending the truth comes at a cost.”
The evening’s final speaker, Alaska Republican Party Chairman Carmela Warfield, read a proclamation from Governor Mike Dunleavy, establishing October 14, 2025—Kirk’s birthday—as “Charlie Kirk Day” in Alaska. The announcement drew thunderous applause. Warfield implored attendees to honor Kirk’s legacy by engaging in open debate and joining local Turning Point chapters. “He was a warrior for truth in an age that sometimes ran from it,” she said, adding, “his story is not over, because we are here and we will be standing tall.”
Similar scenes of remembrance and resolve unfolded across the country. In Westford, Massachusetts, dozens braved pouring rain on September 25 for a vigil on Westford Common, as reported by WestfordCAT. Organized by the Westford Republican Town Committee and its chairwoman Kathy Lynch, the event featured speeches, patriotic songs, and heartfelt testimonials. Lynch explained, “There are members of the community who wanted to pay respects to Charlie… He was very good at public discourse, he talked to people even who didn’t agree with him. He was bold, I think it is great that he was getting out there and engaging with college students, high school students.” Lynch also cited the explosive growth of Turning Point USA, stating, “There are now 37,000 new (Turning Point USA) chapters—so he’s actually more effective as a martyr than he was beforehand.”
Among the Westford attendees was Michael Byrne, who has traveled throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island attending every vigil he could find since Kirk’s death. “I haven’t really been a fan of Charlie Kirk for that long, just a couple of years, but… when he died, I feel like it traumatized me. I want to do my best, because I feel sorry for his family, his children, and I’ve been traveling all over for him,” Byrne shared with WestfordCAT.
In Ballston Spa, New York, approximately 75 people gathered on September 24 for a candlelit “Celebration of Life for Charlie Kirk,” according to local reports. Organizer Peggy Crawford, wearing a black MAGA cap and carrying an American flag, said, “I feel everybody needed to say goodbye in their way and bring our village together.” Despite facing criticism from some in the community, Crawford and others stood firm in honoring Kirk’s memory. Attendees sang “Amazing Grace” and recited the Lord’s Prayer under umbrellas as rain fell, a somber yet hopeful tribute.
Jonna LaMarco, another Ballston Spa resident, handed out red, white, and blue bracelets inscribed with Kirk’s birth and death dates and the phrase “this is the turning point.” She reflected, “I feel that the impact of this is the way our parents must have felt when JFK was assassinated, and I think it’s going to have as much a profound effect on our country as that did.” For many, Kirk’s legacy is less about politics and more about faith and a call to national renewal.
Across the United States, the outpouring of grief and resolve following Charlie Kirk’s assassination has been remarkable. From Anchorage to Westford to Ballston Spa, his supporters have transformed their sorrow into a renewed commitment to Kirk’s ideals—religious freedom, free speech, and traditional values. Even as critics and detractors voice their opposition, the movement Kirk started appears to be gathering momentum rather than fading away.
As the rain fell and candles flickered in cities across America, those who gathered in Kirk’s memory seemed united in one conviction: that his story is far from over, and the work he began will continue—louder, stronger, and more determined than ever.
