Charlie Kirk Protest at ASU Arena in Tempe

Vigil for Charlie Kirk at Arizona State University

A significant gathering took place at the Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, on September 15, as a vigil was held to honor Charlie Kirk. This event was organized by the ASU Turning Point USA student chapter and was open to both students and the general public without any cost.

The vigil came in response to the tragic assassination of Kirk on September 10 in Utah, where a 22-year-old suspect shot him during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley College. The event drew thousands of attendees, with over 10,000 people registering for the ceremony. The doors opened at 5 p.m., and the vigil concluded just before 8 p.m.

ASU implemented its clear bag policy for the event and ensured that security measures were in place. Attendees were informed that no signs, flags, or other props would be allowed inside the arena for safety and comfort reasons.

Reactions and Reflections

Thousands of both ASU students and members of the public gathered to pay their respects to a man they viewed as an inspiration. One supporter expressed, “My heart is broken, but it’s so full seeing that Charlie affected so many people.” The event featured speeches and testimonies from various speakers, offering attendees an opportunity to reflect on Kirk's impact.

Two ASU students shared their personal connection to Kirk, emphasizing his influence across political beliefs. One said, “No matter your political beliefs, Charlie had an impact on everybody and I feel like it’s the nice thing and the best thing to do, to come out and support his family.” Another added, “I really just agreed with everything that he stood for, and if not everything, then most of it, and I feel like he gave me words of wisdom, so I just wanted to be there to honor that.”

Many attendees found solace in the vigil, viewing it as a way to process the tragedy of Kirk’s death. A mourner shared, “You have a great evil and then some great good in the sight of that evil, and I believe that’s how God works, bringing an even greater good out of something terrible.” Another attendee reflected, “I believed in maybe not everything he stood for, but the ending of his life was pretty tragic to me, and I’ve been suffering with it a little bit, so this is to just bring peace to myself and peace to the community and stand with everybody and just be united.”

Continuing the Mission

Speakers and attendees emphasized that Kirk’s mission continues beyond his passing. One mourner stated, “It was incredibly horrible what happened. I felt so much grief. I feel like the whole generation is in mourning for Charlie because he did so much for us. He gave young conservatives and young Christians a platform and let us know we’re not alone and there’s others like us out there.” Another added, “I’m just hoping to stand and show other people to speak your truth and not be afraid to be here. I know there’s a lot of people that are afraid to be here because of all the violence that’s going on, and so I’m hoping to kind of be that kind of picture for other people as well.”

National Response and Background

Following Kirk’s assassination, memorials and tributes have been held nationwide. Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect, was arrested on September 11 after a 33-hour manhunt. As of September 15, officials reported that Robinson is under “special watch” and undergoing mental health evaluations while in a Utah County Sheriff's Department special housing unit.

Local Controversy and Clarification

On September 13, ASU faced criticism when State Senator Jake Hoffman accused the university of making it “impossible” to hold a vigil for Kirk. However, ASU clarified in a statement that reports suggesting the vigil was not proceeding or that student groups were being charged were false. The event was organized by the ASU Turning Point USA student chapter, highlighting the university's commitment to supporting student-led initiatives.