Kirk remembered in Butler vigil held on his birthday
Butler’s Diamond Park saw dozens of people wearing red shirts and hats descend Tuesday evening, Oct. 14, to hold a vigil in remembrance of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The crowd gathered to hold a celebration of life and candlelight vigil for Kirk on the day that would have been his 32nd birthday.
Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit aiming to advocate for conservative values for young adults, specifically high school and college students. He was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking to a crowd during an event at Utah Valley University.
Before the vigil began, the event switched between speakers and live music being performed by attendees.
While each speaker’s message differed, two common themes ran through most speeches: a rejection of political violence and a reminder to love thy neighbor.
The Rev. John Pistorius, of Christ’s Family Church in Chicora, spoke about the importance of protecting free speech for anyone, regardless of their belief.
“We have to resist the call to silence our enemies. Instead, we need to develop dialogue. We need to discuss things like Charlie would have and did do through his life. Without the freedom of speech, none of us would have a voice,” he said.
He said Kirk’s death was part of God’s long-term plan to reignite the voice of millions and fight against “fictions” being spread, just as Kirk did.
“Charlie Kirk espoused (God’s) message. He taught biblical morality. He taught truth, and he was a great patriot. He helped young people to learn that voting matters, and we saw a difference in the most recent presidential election,” Pistorius said.
Melissa Bowser, another speaker, encouraged attendees to speak confidently and to stand firm in their convictions.
“(Kirk) had the kind of courage that inspires and challenges people, and more often than not, he changed people for the better. It’s a rare trait to not only have this courage, but to have the humility and the facts to back it up with reason and respect,” she said.
She said she had been quiet about her political and religious beliefs in her personal life, but felt inspired after learning more about Kirk’s life and death.
“I sit back and realized that a man lost his life, a woman lost her husband, children lost their father, all because he fought for what so many of us were afraid to say out loud. No more,” Bowser said.
Zach Scherer, one of the event’s organizers, also gave brief remarks on why he decided to hold the event.
“People are struggling to find the words through the grief and through the anger they’ve been feeling. Since this occurred last month, I tried to find the words myself, but can’t simply put the words together of what I’m feeling,” he said.
He called for a unification of people, not by their beliefs or political affiliation, but as neighbors and Americans. He said many problems, such as increases in suicide rates and drug abuse, do not fall along party lines.
“No matter how much darkness life brings, we must keep the torch of hope and strength moving forward, because darkness cannot exist where there is light, and as long as we are alive ... there will always be light,” Scherer concluded.
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Joe and Jen LaDue pray during a candlelight vigil to honor the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Dozens gathered during a vigil to celebrate the birthday of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
