Mourners held Charlie Kirk vigils throughout Southern California
Charlie Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, during his “American Comeback Tour”, where he held debates to challenge people with differing ideologies in a public forum.
In the middle of a debate, Kirk attempted to answer a question regarding mass shootings before being shot in the neck by a .30-06 Mauser bolt-action rifle. “Counting or not counting gang violence,” was Kirk’s response and last words.
After Kirk was shot, panic ensued. Utah Valley University (UVU) students fled, a man was spotted celebrating, and attendees recorded an individual stealing Make America Great Again (MAGA) merchandise. President Donald Trump later took to Truth Social to announce Kirk’s death.
According to Kirk’s widow, Erika, she plans to continue her late husband’s work at Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative polices. “The movement my husband built will not die. It won’t, I refuse to let that happen,” she said. “No one will ever forget my husband’s name.”
In the wake of the shooting, mourners held memorials nationwide, attracting numerous grieving supporters. Benito Benal, a former organizer for the Democratic Party who left the platform to help Kirk with Turning Point USA in Los Angeles, held a vigil outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building on Sept. 11. “To me, Charlie Kirk was a hope for the younger generation,” Benal said.
Dozens of teary-eyed supporters stood outside the federal building holding flowers, candles and signs. Some seemed mournful, and others found reinforcement in their beliefs through Kirk’s death. “There are people in this world who are evil and don't want freedom of speech,” Benal said. “They want to silence the majority because we are the majority.”
On Saturday, the 805 Patriots, a pro-MAGA organization, held a service for Kirk as part of its 9/11 Patriots Weekend Remembrance Cruise. The cruise started at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., where the grass was adorned with 2,977 American flags representing the victims of the terrorist attack. They ended the cruise at Mrs. Olsen’s Restaurant in Oxnard.
Dozens of cars with Trump decals, American flags, and messages regarding Kirk cruised through the coast, being received by onlookers with support, admiration, or disdain. Some people cheered as the convoy passed, and others raised their middle fingers in opposition.
Despite a minor verbal altercation between an anti-Kirk protester and the crowd, people laughed and celebrated Kirk’s memory. “The greatest honor we could do for Charlie is remembering him by his faith,” said Mimi Israela, a fervent Trump supporter, who went viral for showing a police officer a novelty “white privilege card” during a traffic stop.
People came from across Southern California to participate in the long-distance cruise. According to Jerry Piani, an 805 organizer, Kirk could bring “people together with his words,” and his fans displayed it on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally held a vigil at Beverly Garden Park in Beverly Hills. Participants gathered around the small vigil, sharing fond memories, moments of inspiration, and thoughts on Kirk’s legacy.
Students from the Turning Point UCLA chapter spoke about the loss of Kirk and his impact. Many students said Kirk served as a personal inspiration, influencing them to get involved in activism. They praised the debates held and how they created an open conversation.
Maya, a speaker from the Turning Point UCLA chapter, reflected on her fears after Kirk’s murder and shared with the crowd, “Where conversation ends, violence begins.”
Many of Kirk’s close friends attended Sunday’s vigil. Stacey Feinberg, the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg and the Kirk family’s “Jewish grandma,” publicly expressed her grief.
“They might have killed the messenger, but they can't kill the message,” Feinberg said, through moist eyes to the crowd. “We know our mission. We know our marching orders. We will pick up the sword for him, and there will be thousands of Charlie Kirks.”
The vigil was mournful, but the violent nature of Kirk’s murder also created a sense of fear. “I’m hearing Republican leaders and different people saying that we all need to reconcile and get along. You can’t get along with evil,” said Ermias Alemayehu, a candidate running for City Council in Lake Balboa. “These people want to hurt, they want to kill us.”
Some mourners conveyed fear, others exhibited anger. Gina Bisignano, a felon for crimes committed during the Jan. 6 US Capitol riot, said, “ This trans-furry tried to silence Charlie Kirk. His legend will live on eternally, here and in Heaven.” The government has not provided any proof that Robinson is transgender or a furry.
A wide array of emotions surged through the event. Rachel Harding, a former Santa Monica College student, reflected on the political climate after placing a remembrance poster in the center of the Heart Hand sculpture in Beverly Hills in honor of Charlie Kirk.
Harding reflected on her own life struggles with politics involving her own family, believing the democrat party radicalized her daughter, who cut off contact after attending college. Harding, reacting to the division in America, stated, “If we can’t heal as a family, how are we going to heal as a country. I have two beautiful grandchildren I don’t get to see.”
She praised Kirk’s ability to connect with youth and saw his ability to bring people together in discussion. She went on to speak that she has found community in the MAGA movement, stating, “These are my friends, these are my people, I found the community because what else can I do.”
After an open mic, Shiva Bagheri, founder of the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally, led a march through the streets of Beverly Hills with flags, pro-Trump memorabilia, and posters saying, “We are all Charlie Kirk.” After the march, the vigil remained in the park, covered in candles, tiny flags, and posterboards for attendees to write messages on.
Federal officials announced they apprehended the suspect, Tyler Robinson, on Sept. 12. Robinson, 22, is facing seven charges in relation to the murder of Kirk in Utah’s Fourth District Court. According to officials, Robinson texted his roommate and said he shot Kirk over rhetoric, arguing that “some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Although Kirk is cherished in conservative circles, some of his views are considered polarizing by critics. He’s garnered national attention for comments perceived to be anti-Black and anti-LGBT, also for spreading the “great replacement theory,” a belief amongst right-wing activists that there’s a plot to diminish white people’s influence.
Kirk’s death has managed to unite conservatives, raise concerns over gun control, and sow division into the U.S political climate. Not much is officially known about the alleged shooter; Robinson isn’t speaking with authorities. What is known is that people will be watching the trial.