On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative activist, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The shocking assassination sent ripples across the nation, prompting a wave of public vigils and memorials from California to Vermont, each reflecting the complex and often polarized legacy Kirk left behind.
According to CalCoastNews, the day after Kirk’s death, leaders of Turning Point USA in San Luis Obispo County reached out to Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong to organize a campus memorial. What began as an apparently straightforward request soon became mired in administrative hurdles. While the university had previously allowed pro-Palestinian gatherings in public areas at no cost, organizers for the Kirk memorial were told the event would need to be held indoors, either in a classroom or the Performing Arts Center, with a $5,000 fee and no availability until September 29. The administration cited safety concerns due to possible anti-Kirk protestors. Despite these challenges, the vigil was scheduled for 6 p.m. on September 29 at the Performing Arts Center, with more than 3,000 attendees expected.
Cal Poly’s rules for public gatherings—no identity-concealing masks and strict time and place restrictions—were enforced with particular rigor for the Kirk event. Some supporters felt these measures amounted to obstruction, especially in light of the university’s prior handling of other politically charged gatherings. Nevertheless, the event moved forward, reflecting the determination of Kirk’s local supporters to honor his memory in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, in Tupper Lake, New York, a smaller but no less heartfelt vigil took place at the Tupper Lake Christian Center on September 28. As reported by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, about 50 people gathered to remember Kirk, forming a circle outside the church, lighting candles, and singing "Amazing Grace." The event was organized by Jamie Jessie, a local student and admirer of Kirk’s commitment to open debate and freedom of speech. "He wasn’t afraid to have a conversation with someone and discuss differences and try to find that common ground," Jessie said, highlighting Kirk’s willingness to engage with those who disagreed with him.
Jessie, who is working to establish a Turning Point USA chapter at Paul Smith’s College, emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue, even amid strong disagreement. She recounted her own grief, noting that Kirk was 31 at the time of his death—the same age Jessie would soon turn. "Nobody deserves to lose their life the way he did," she reflected. The vigil, she said, was suffused with love and support, not just for Kirk but for his wife Erika and their two children. Jessie was particularly moved by Erika Kirk’s words at her husband’s funeral: "I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."
Jessie’s message to Kirk’s supporters was clear: "You just have to look past it. If there’s something that you believe deserves something like this, deserves recognition, just do it. You have no idea how many people are right behind you and have your back." To those who disagreed with Kirk, she offered a call for humility and respect: "It’s OK to disagree. That’s something that everybody has to realize. We don’t have to 100% have the same views. We can agree to disagree and just be humble people and be respectful because we’re all allowed to have our own opinions."
In Erie, Pennsylvania, a public vigil is scheduled for October 4 at Perry Square in downtown Erie, according to GoErie. Organized by former Erie County Councilman Brian Shank, the event aims to foster unity at a time of deep national division. "I think it’s important for the simple reason—as a country, we need to just be kinder to each other," Shank said. "We have to stop with this ‘us’ and ‘them.’ It’s not a red thing. It’s not a blue thing. It’s a red, white and blue thing. We’re all Americans and we shouldn’t be this angry at each other. But there’s such division—it makes me sick. We want to be part of the healing." The Erie vigil will feature local officials, pastors, chaplains, and musical guests, and organizers have coordinated with police to ensure safety, though no threats have been reported.
Further east, the town of Bennington, Vermont, saw about 100 people gather at the Four Corners on September 27 to honor Kirk. As reported by the Bennington Banner, the crowd included a diverse mix of attendees—some lifelong conservatives, others who disagreed with Kirk but felt compelled to defend his right to free speech. Hannah Jones, who attended with her mother-in-law, said, "I didn’t agree with everything he said, but I firmly believed that he had the right to speak how he felt—and, even if people disagreed, it didn’t have to come to violence." Kayla Best, another attendee, reflected on Kirk’s boldness in sharing his faith and encouraging others to use their voices: "I think a lot of us—especially young people—really took heart to that, and were really moved by what Charlie had to say about using our voices and speaking up, and being bold."
Yet, Kirk’s legacy remains deeply contested. Critics, including John Grosso of The National Catholic Reporter, have pointed to his harsh, divisive rhetoric on race, immigration, gender, religion, and LGBTQ+ issues. Still, even among those who challenged his views, there was broad agreement at the vigil that Kirk did not deserve to die for his beliefs. Linda Sweet, a Bennington resident, expressed confusion and sorrow over the hate that led to Kirk’s assassination, while her friend Annette Denio emphasized, "We need the positive; we need a little love—and not the other stuff that’s here every Saturday at noon. Enough of this hate. Whether you’re democrat or republican, whatever—it’s your choice—but, stop the hate."
Pastor Rick Setzer, who led prayers and a rendition of "Amazing Grace," called on attendees to get involved in their communities and government, arguing that unity and faith were essential to healing the nation’s wounds. Others, like Louise Pineiro, supported the separation of church and state but appreciated Kirk’s commitment to civil discourse: "I believe everyone should have their own voice, and not everybody is going to agree."
Across the country, the vigils for Charlie Kirk have become more than just memorials—they are forums for Americans of all stripes to grapple with the meaning of free speech, the dangers of political violence, and the urgent need for civility in public life. While Kirk’s supporters see him as a champion of conservative values and open debate, his critics remain wary of the divisiveness he sometimes fostered. Yet, in the aftermath of his assassination, a rare consensus has emerged: violence is never the answer, and the right to speak one’s mind must be preserved.
The gatherings from California to Vermont underscore a nation wrestling with its divisions, but also searching—sometimes awkwardly, sometimes defiantly—for common ground. As the candles flickered and voices joined in song at each vigil, one message rang out above the rest: hate must not have the last word.
