By Vivian Barrett
A University of Wisconsin-Green Bay senior organized a vigil for Charlie Kirk Sept. 18 to give the community “a peaceful place to gather.”
A crowd of about 50 people gathered in Phoenix Park on the university’s campus at 9 p.m. to remember Kirk, a conservative activist who was shot and killed Sept. 10 during an event at Utah Valley University. Organizer Cerina Grauey said she also wanted the vigil to combat political violence in the U.S.
“Just to bring the community together,” Grauey said.
During the vigil, attendees wrote messages on paper bags with lights inside and spoke about Kirk’s life. After a minute of silence and singing “Amazing Grace,” attendees shared why they came or what they hoped for moving forward.
“Let his voice and message be heard around the world,” one person said.
“I’d also like to pray for the souls that oppose him,” another added.
Kirk was “huge on college campuses,” Grauey said, which is why she wanted to host an event at her own campus. Brown County Supervisor Dixon Wolfe, who worked with Kirk through his organization Turning Point USA, told the crowd this is what Kirk would have wanted.
Wolfe told the younger members of the crowd to get involved in politics if they want to make change in the country.
“Carry on his legacy,” Wolfe said. “Be bold. Be courageous.”
Three UWGB students joined the crowd in Phoenix Park to protest the vigil and what they believe is Kirk’s legacy. Sophomore Bailey James held a paper that read, “He was a fascist.”
“I believe Charlie Kirk was a spreader of hate speech,” James told the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@greenbay.gannett.com or (920) 431-8314.
Source: Brown County community members gather for vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk