On Monday, Sept. 15, Saint Louis University College Republicans held a prayer vigil for the conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk. A group of around 30 students gathered near the clock tower to pray for him and his family, to remember his legacy and influence and to recount their memories and experiences with Kirk and his content.
SLU alumna and former member of the College Republicans Anna Mars and senior flight science major Alessandro Mattina hosted the vigil to share an evening of prayer among fellow followers.
“We didn’t really want to make it into a big spectacle, because, you know, that was gonna attract a lot of trouble and a lot of hate and a lot of confrontation,” Mars said.
“We just wanted a solemn night that was about reverence and about unity and about shared values and just celebrating and honoring a life rather than a political statement.”
Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 while hosting his American Comeback Tour event in front of a large crowd of students at Utah Valley University. This event was the first in a year-long series of other similar events Kirk had planned at college campuses across the nation. The shooter, Tyler Robinson, has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder.
Kirk’s death sent shockwaves through the country, sparking intense partisan debate. He was known for his controversial positions on hot-button issues, like abortion, gender ideology and free market capitalism, and for his promotion of conservative values among young people and on college campuses. Kirk’s youth organization, TurningPointUSA, is one of the most popular and active youth political organizations in the country.
Many of his young conservative followers were shocked following his death. Influenced by the connection they felt to Kirk’s message, followers have reacted to his death by holding vigils.
The event began with Mars and Mattina handing out prayer pamphlets. Shortly after, students gathered in a circle using their flashlights to follow along as Mattina led the prayer.
“We ask you to help us honor Charlie’s legacy, not only in memory, but in action,” the pamphlet read. “Give us the strength, the courage, and the wisdom to lift our voices and continue Charlie’s work.”
The students joined in prayer together, repeating the phrases “Into your hands, Lord, we commend his spirit” and “Strengthen us to continue his work.”
Once the prayers concluded, students in attendance shared personal anecdotes of Kirk along with how his content influenced them and how they reacted to his death. Many also shared their thoughts on online responses celebrating his death.
Nikolay Remizov, a senior majoring in health care management, said that he supports Kirk for his commitment to open debate.
“He was trying to bring the most legal way of political debate and showing your political positions, in the world, in America, and our campuses,” Remizov said. “I met him several times. When you stand next to him, you feel this energy. You feel the energy of a good guy, of a guy trying to bring a good message. I stand with his message.”
Hassan Gulzar, vice president of international affairs in the student government association (SGA), attended the vigil and said that he respected Kirk’s commitment to his faith. Kirk initially advocated for a “secular worldview,” but in recent years began calling for more integration of church and state. Many of his most controversial positions, like his views on the LGBTQ+ community, include Biblical arguments and justifications.
“I’ve always admired Charlie, even being from a different faith. I’m a Muslim,” Gulzar said. “I believe that it’s not justified to hate a man of God, a person true to his country and true to his faith.”
Sophia Weaver, a junior studying aerospace engineering, had no prior experience with the College Republicans but expressed that she felt compelled to come to this event due to her religious connection to Kirk.
“He made me feel seen, because he spoke a lot about God,” Weaver said. “It’s just kind of concerning seeing how far people have gone to, you know, just not see human life anymore, and just kind of be glad about it.”
While Mars and Mattina said that they were happy with the outcome of the event, it was organized in under two days. The flyer was not published on SLUGroups until a few hours before, the location moved right before the event began and the pamphlets were hastily constructed.
Hassan Gulzar’s statement reads “I’ve always admired Charlie, even being from a different faith. I’m a Muslim. I believe that it’s not justified to hate a man of God, a person true to his country and true to his faith.” Any additional text included with his quote was added for context.
