Over 600 students and community members celebrated the memory of Charlie Kirk, the head of Turning Point USA, at Indiana University’s Alumni Hall. Kirk was shot and killed during a rally for TPUSA at UVU on September 10.

The incident was marked by a vigil organized by the chapter of Turning Point at IU. The participants were united in their thoughts of Kirk and the issues that he advocated for, such as free speech, Christian faith, and conservative activism. Between the speeches, Christian music played, which contributed to a peaceful and powerful atmosphere.

The event had heightened security to ensure the safety of all attendees, including metal detector screenings, a ban on bags over a certain size, and officers stationed both inside and outside the hall. More than 20 officers, from the Indiana University Police Department and Indiana State Police, were there to ensure protection. Kirk had passed before his scheduled appearance at IU in October, and the police had been cooperating with the organizers to provide a safe event.

A live stream was set up outside the hall for the benefit of those who could not make it. A number of the audience members wore T-shirts and carried placards expressing their support for Kirk and TPUSA. The messages on the shirts were “Charlie Kirk is a Hero, “I AM CHARLIE,” and “RIP Charlie Kirk.” The crowd also had flags and TPUSA buttons.

The large turnout was a clear sign of the strong support from the students as well as the local community. The students organized the IU Turning Point chapter’s vigil, and community members were there to support them. A lot of people expressed that it was very significant to witness so many people joining hands for the same purpose, revealing the extent of Kirk’s impact.

Other participants in the vigil shared that it had brought to their minds the necessity of participating in political discussions and activism. The majority viewed the mixing of speeches, music, and prayer as a reflective atmosphere that motivated them to keep working on Kirk’s legacy in their area and on campus.

Kenneth Collins, a 31-year-old trucker from Indianapolis, mentioned his presence at the vigil as purely for the sake of supporting Kirk’s message. “This message, free speech, freedom of debate, that’s what Charlie Kirk stood for. He did things in a way where he wanted to listen to every side,” Collins said.

Madden Kenney, a student and a member of IU’s Turning Point chapter, described the event’s support as an inspiring feeling. “Seeing so many people turn out for such a nice event, it is just really empowering and inspiring to know that everyone here is supporting the same message that I do,” Kenney stated.

The vigil was a memorial and at the same time a reminder of the difficulties that free speech and political violence entail. Despite the tragedy, the gathering was a symbol of the determination of the students and the community members to engage in civic activities and defend their rights.