Thousands gathered at Arizona State University’s Desert Financial Arena on Monday to mourn Charlie Kirk - determined to carry on his legacy.
Kirk was the co-founder of conservative organization Turning Point USA, which is based in Phoenix.
He was assassinated on Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Kirk was known for engaging with students at high schools and colleges across the country, including ASU.
On Monday, students and other supporters of Kirk filled half the arena and heard from several speakers urging them to turn to Jesus, vote and get involved in politics.
Many people wore MAGA hats, and white shirts that said “FREEDOM” like the one Kirk was wearing when he was killed. Others wore shirts that said “I am Charlie.”
Tyler Bowyer, the leader of Turning Point’s political arm, told the crowd that this is the time to fight.
“If this crazy leftist radicalization is happening in Utah, it’s happening everywhere. It’s absolutely everywhere and this isn’t a both sides problem. This is a one side problem,” Bowyer said.
Another speaker was pastor Lucas Miles, senior director of TPUSA Faith, a division of Turning Point pushing a Christian revival in America. He called Kirk a martyr for Jesus Christ.
“They thought that they could silence Charlie Kirk with a bullet, but they were wrong. Because we are Charlie Kirk,” he said.
Conservative activist Jack Posobiec said he discussed the danger of political violence with Kirk when President Trump was shot in Butler, Pa., last year.
Posobiec said he asked Kirk if he was sure he wanted to keep going to open events.
“He looked at me and I could see the conviction in his eyes and I could hear it in his voice and he said ‘Jack, I will never stop. I will never quit,’” Posobiec said.
High school student Taylor Sharp attended the vigil on Monday. He said before meeting Kirk, he wasn’t politically active, but Kirk’s passion changed his mind.
“Every single day he saved people from committing suicide, people that were saying, ‘Charlie, you're inspiring me. I want to go do what you do. I want to go fight like you do.’ People were motivated. People were having a reason to live, and that's when he was giving them. And he's like, ‘No, no, I'm not the reason you should be living. It should be Jesus,’” Sharp said.
Now that Kirk has been killed, Sharp said he expects to see Turning Point-style debates at every college.
“They don't know what they just did. They just woke up about more than a million Charlie Kirks, and they're not ready for what's about to happen,” Sharp said.
Conservative activist Merissa Hamilton said that since the assassination, her organization has seen an uptake in people wanting to get registered to vote or volunteer.
Conservative student Bella Keenan echoed Sharp’s words, that she expects to see more action than ever in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.
“The shooter tried to silence Charlie and what he stood for in the movement, and the opposite is going to happen,” she said.
Former president of ASU College Republicans Carson Carpenter said he returned to his alma mater to honor Kirk.
“It’s just an inspiration to move towards Christ. It's an inspiration for so many people to get involved with Turning Point, with the Republican side of things,” Carpenter said of the assassination. “And Charlie is making 10 times more of an impact now than he would have before.”
Former ASU student Ashlee Davis said she watched Kirk’s videos growing up and he guided her into knowing what her political views are. His death has made her want to become more politically active.
“It makes me want to have a louder voice and stand up for what I believe in, as opposed to feeling like I have to stay quiet,” Davis said.
Keenan, Carpenter and Davis all said they want to see peace and unity between the left and the right going forward, not war.
There will be a public memorial service for Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday.
