WAUKESHA – Many held candles. Some chanted “USA! USA!” and “Charlie!” There were prayers, American flags, songs, and tears.
Several thousand people gathered at Cutler Park in Waukesha Sept. 16 for a ceremony remembering Charlie Kirk, the right-wing activist who was assassinated in Utah last week.
The event, organized by Wisconsin Young Republicans, was one of many vigils and services around the country held in honor of Kirk.
Former Gov. Scott Walker talked to the crowd about Kirk’s ability to connect with students.
“Many young people have lost a leader,” Walker said. “A leader who gave them a voice, who let them know that they could speak out for their values.”
Walker, who is now president of the Young America’s Foundation, has said his group will review security at its events but won’t stop holding them on college campuses.
Brett Galaszewski, national enterprise director for Kirk’s Turning Point Action group, praised the large crowd, saying Kirk would be proud of the turnout. He said Kirk was especially impressed with the work his group had done in Wisconsin.
Galaszewski said the last time they spoke a few weeks ago, Kirk had told him, “Proud of you, man.”
He added that the group has seen a surge in interest — and volunteers — since Kirk’s murder.
“This is our turning point,” Galaszewski said.
Other speakers included Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, and state Sen. Julian Bradley.
Kirk became a prominent figure nationally as a conservative influencer and as the co-founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that pushes for conservative politics on high school and college campuses.
Some in the crowd talked about the influence Kirk has had in their lives.
Grace and Jared Wire, a young married couple from Kenosha, said they attended last year’s AmericaFest — an annual conference hosted by Kirk’s group.
“We’ve been long time supporters,” said Grace, 21. “We’ve been following Charlie Kirk for years. We’re Christians, and we’re conservatives. So we pretty much agree with everything he ever taught.”
Grace and Jared, 25, said they quickly learned Kirk had been shot from social media.
“It was very surreal,” Jared said. “We couldn’t believe it had actually happened.”
Another couple, Josh and Carleigh Jacobson of Waukesha, said they didn’t know Kirk, but were deeply shaken by his death.
“This hit me harder than anything has in (terms of) political violence,” Josh said. “It was just good to come out, because the goal of those people that are perpetrating all of this violence is to keep us afraid and to keep us isolated, and make us think we’re alone.”
Kirk was known as a fierce ― and controversial ― debater. He addressed topics including Second Amendment rights, race, gender, sexuality and religion, often fielding debates with young people.
Since his killing, local officials, educators and others have faced firings and social media backlash in recent days for online posts about his death, drawing harassment and death threats.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has praised Kirk for his work building support for Trump among young people, saying at a vigil in Washington, D.C., that Trump’s win in November 2024 was “fueled in no small part by the tireless work of Charlie, the Turning Point organization that he built from scratch out of a garage.”
Kirk, 31, was shot on Sept. 10 while speaking on the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of shooting and killing Kirk.
Hilario Deleon. chairman of the Republican Party of Milwaukee County, wiped tears from his eyes as Tuesday night’s vigil was ending. He talked about the state’s conservative Gen Z leaders who had been inspired by Kirk.
“Charlie was very proud of the work that we were doing here in Wisconsin. Not only through Turning Point, but also through the county party,” he said. “I’m just proud to see all of the people that came here to pay tribute.”
Turning Point USA has a Midwest office in Waukesha. Since his death, his memorial on the Turning Point USA grounds has grown as residents pay tribute to the 31-year-old figure. Kirk also spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024, alongside U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who now serves as the Secretary of Homeland Security. In March, Kirk rallied for conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel alongside Donald Trump Jr.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Thousands gather in Waukesha to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Reporting by Mary Spicuzza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
