A memorial marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk at the school where he was killed has sparked opposition, with students organizing a protest against the event. Turning Point USA, the conservative organization that Kirk co-founded, is holding an event called "Freedom Built to Last Memorial" at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10. Kirk was fatally shot as he spoke to a crowd of thousands at the university on September 10 last year.
But the event has sparked an outcry, with the university's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, along with other groups, such as the Community Defense Club of UVU and The Black Menaces, organizing a protest outside the venue for when the event is set to take place. https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc4d5CGAVj0/?img_index=1 In a post on Instagram shared over the weekend, the group accused the university of shutting down the campus to accommodate the event and endorsing the views of Kirk and Turning Point USA. "The UVU administration has closed campus that day, and has endorsed this event, which is an endorsement of the views of Turning Point and Charlie Kirk," the post said. "We will not stand for this, and we invite anyone who can attend to join us in solidarity to protest TPUSA, UVU Admin, and the Utah County Commissioners." However, the university's official statement regarding the campus closure stated that operations would be closed to provide time and space for reflection and healing, rather than as an endorsement of the event.
Newsweek has contacted UVU and Turning Point USA for comment via emails sent outside regular business hours. The UVU chapter of Students for a Democratic Society has been contacted via Instagram. Kirk was a prominent conservative activist, podcaster and ally of President Donald Trump.
Kirk was known for his provocative statements on race. He expressed culturally conservative views, including on gun rights, immigration, transgender rights and abortion. Turning Point USA, which Kirk co-founded when he was 18, was focused on spreading conservative views on college campuses.
Last week, a judge ruled that Tyler Robinson will stand trial in the killing of Kirk. Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during the hearing last week.
The SDS chapter at UVU has also been collecting signatures on an open letter addressed to the university’s administration seeking to have Turning Point USA’s memorial event on the campus canceled. "We, students of UVU, strongly condemn the decision to hand over our campus to TPUSA on September 10. As we approach the anniversary of this tragic event, it should be made clear that many of us will be further negatively affected by allowing TPUSA to occupy our campus on that day," the letter says.
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