Turning Point USA chapter leads vigil for Charlie Kirk

Talley Student Union’s governance chamber reached capacity Thursday night as students and community members gathered for a prayer vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist assassinated one day earlier during an event at Utah Valley University. 

The vigil was held by NC State’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a national organization founded by Kirk that promotes conservative politics on university campuses. The event served both as a memorial for Kirk and as a tribute to the victims of the September 11th attacks.

Campus police conducted a sweep of the building before the event, including checking each floor and using an explosives detection dog to inspect the governance chamber. This led to a thirty-minute delay as students, alumni, locals and journalists gathered in the hallway outside, waiting for entry. 

Wadeyn Norris, a third-year studying political science and the chapter’s tabling coordinator, said Kirk’s legacy will live on.

“Charlie’s light did not go out, it multiplied,” Norris said. “The man who committed this heinous act may think he can claim a victory, but in truth, this lit a match that sparked thousands more Charlie Kirks, thousands more young leaders rising up to defend liberty, speaking truth to courage, carrying out missions rooted in faith. Turning Point will live on.”

Duane Ford, outreach chair, encouraged attendees to focus on unity rather than retaliation, referencing both Kirk’s legacy and the victims of Sept. 11.

“We are called to be a people of peace, people of strength and to uplift each other,” Ford said. “We will not engage in the wrong doings of those who oppose us. Instead, we will walk with peace, live with purpose and shine a light in a world that desperately needs it.”

The chapter introduced Pastor Kevin Hazlett from Beacon Baptist Church, who led the attendees in a sermon on hope in grief.

“And so though evil has seemingly temporarily prevailed in silencing Charlie’s physical voice, we pray that the Holy Spirit of God would embolden and raise up a generation of young people to stand in his place,” Hazlett said. “A single flame may have been put out yesterday, but may that ignite a million sparks around this country to raise a generation of young people and ignite a million fires that will burn in his place.”

Arionna Maniego, a third-year studying economics and chapter president, reflected on Kirk’s encouragement of younger generations.

“He never looked at us as too inexperienced or too small to make a difference,” Maniego said. “He saw us as America’s future, the generation that would carry on the fight, shape the culture and lead this country.”

Karla Bridges, a fourth-year studying political science and the club’s secretary, spoke through tears about the cumulative trauma of recent tragedies.

“We all have a lot on our minds regarding what happened to Charlie Kirk, the school shooting yesterday, what happened on the train in Charlotte and remembering the lives of those who died on 9/11,” Bridges said. “These are all tragic events that will continue to affect our country for years to come.”

Bridges said she can no longer pride herself in America being a country where people can express their beliefs without fear of violent retribution.

“There are countries where you get killed for your faith, your voice or simply because you speak out and don’t agree with the government being held,” Bridges said. “America was never supposed to be one of those countries.” 

The event was not limited to club members. Beck Whitehead, a third-year studying political science and philosophy and president of NC State College Democrats, attended in a gesture of bipartisan condemnation.

“This is bad for everyone,” Whitehead said. “Gun violence is bad for everyone.”

Whitehead said all groups should be concerned, as Kirk’s assassination follows a larger trend in political violence, referencing the June 14 murders of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband.

“It doesn’t matter if you agree or disagree with the guy,” Whitehead said. “It’s inhumane to pick and choose when it’s okay or not okay. And we should be pretty terrified about this sort of thing. This is becoming a repetitive thing. This is becoming a pattern.”

Dalton Scism, a third-year studying electrical engineering, echoed the call for unity.

“I didn’t agree with what a lot of Charlie Kirk said, but I respected his courage to go in front of people and to engage in public discourse,” Scism said. “The fact that just an Illinois dad had to lose his life to that is beyond [un]acceptable, and that’s why I came.” 

Scism said he finds the state of America weaker than ever before, and that a united backing of the country is often lost in partisan politics.

“I think the biggest thing we need is unity, and we need to realize that despite the fact that many of us have differing opinions, at the core, we still want to see what’s best for America,” Scism said. “We want to see America thrive, and I think we really need to focus on what we have in common more than what we have apart.”

Several students articulated grief but also shared resolve to move forward. Jack Demola, a fourth-year studying chemical engineering, said he was deeply impacted by the assassination of Kirk because he was a role model to him.

“I saw Charlie as a positive influence on how to be a son of God, how to be a husband, how to be a father, how to foster love and loving your neighbors,” Demola said. “So I think he truly was leading the youth in the right direction, and I think that’s what his whole goal was. So it’s especially impactful to see that be silenced and see aggression towards somebody intentionally going out and seeking an open, fostered relationship.”

During public comment, an elderly community member reflected on the historic scope of political violence in America.

“I’ve been through my share of assassinations, starting with John Kennedy,” he said. “I thought it would be over, but it’s not over. This is probably just your first, and I hope to God it’s your last, but I doubt it.”