WAUKESHA, Wis. — The Waukesha community gathered at Cutler Park Tuesday evening for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder who was killed last week.
The vigil included speeches, prayer, and song.
Many attendees noted how Kirk’s work impacted younger audiences.
"I wasn’t huge into politics, but then my friends started chapters of Turning Point, and that’s how I got to know him a little more,” said Devin Barlow, a student at Waukesha West High School.
“I think he inspires a lot of youth today who want to get into politics.”
The event, organized by Wisconsin Young Republicans, is one of many similar vigils held across the state and country.
Former Governor Scott Walker also spoke to the crowd on Tuesday. He said Kirk had a special ability to connect with the younger generation, something attendees echoed,
“The way he communicated his opinions was so respectful and in such a godly manner,” Amanda Schmidt of Wauwatosa said, alongside her young children.
“I wanted to show my kids a respectful way to remember someone who died — someone who did so in honor.”
About 75% of the crowd on Tuesday raised their hands when asked if it was their first political event.
Brett Galaszewski, a field director in Wisconsin for Turning Point Action, said he was especially proud of the work the group had done in Wisconsin and across the country.
“Just in the past five days, we’ve had 28,000 students sign up to start a chapter at their high school or college," Galaszewski said.
Other speakers at the event included state senator Julian Bradley, Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.
Watch: Waukesha holds memorial for Charlie Kirk after activist's shooting death
Waukesha police temporarily closed roads around Cutler Park for the event.
When asked about the shooting, the Young Democrats of Wisconsin sent a statement saying in part, "Hate and political violence, no matter the target, must be condemned without hesitation."
That message was echoed by many attendees at the memorial service.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Utah during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour. A 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
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