CHEYENNE — On Saturday evening, about 100 Wyomingites gathered at the state Capitol to remember and honor conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk as well as the victims of this week’s shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado.
Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday as part of his American Comeback Tour, which encourages students to discuss social and political issues.
On the same day, a shooter critically injured two students at Evergreen High School.
It was an emotional gathering, with people mourning, crying, praying, singing, and calling for an end to violence.
Personal Connections
Sabrina Montano, a Cheyenne resident, told Cowboy State Daily that she felt compelled to attend because she felt a connection to Kirk, whom she learned about while attending college in Canada.
“I found out about Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens all in 2012 while I was at [college], and I was vehemently against them,” she told me.
While she was initially opposed to Kirk’s views, Montano claims her now-husband Dave challenged her to reconsider her beliefs, prompting her to reconsider Kirk’s political positions.
“Charlie specifically brought me back to the church and changed my life,” Montano told me. “I owe my life to his movement, Turning Point USA ,and to listening to opposing views honestly and truly.”
A contingent from the University of Wyoming’s Turning Point USA chapter also attended the vigil. Kirk formed that national organization.
The group’s president, Gabe Saint, told Cowboy State Daily that UW members traveled to honor Kirk for his role in shaping their values and beliefs.
“We’re going to inspire people to keep fighting for what Charlie fought for and we’re going to fight for what’s right and all these people are here to do that too,” according to him. “There’s a lot of patriots, but there’s a lot of evil in this world that patriots and Christians can no longer tolerate.”
Saint added that he expects his group to grow even more in the wake of Kirk’s murder.
“People think we’re big now, they have no idea,” he joked. “We got our marching orders from Erika Kirk last night, we know what to do.”
He was referring to Charlie Kirk’s widow, who made a public appearance Friday and promised that Turning Point would continue.
Cheyenne resident John Williams stated that he wanted to pay his respects to “someone whose morals and beliefs match mine.”
“He was essentially killed for speaking, and that kind of violence needs to stop and it shouldn’t exist in our country,” Williams told the crowd. “We have that right to speak our opinions and differ on our opinions and no one needs to die for that.”
Williams also stated that those who cheered Kirk’s death should feel free to do so because it is their right as Americans.
“As long as people keep it peaceful and respectful of each other, they have that right,” he claimed. “We don’t all have to agree.”
Capitol Clouds
Against the backdrop of the Capitol, speakers addressed the crowd with messages of peace, faith and love.
They encouraged those gathered to treat others with respect and compassion and to remain defiant against those who seek to silence their beliefs.
Many wore Kirk shirts, while some carried American flags. Attendees held candles, which they used to pass the flame around the crowd.
Several vehicles passing by on West 24th Street honked their support for those at the vigil.
The mood was somber, topped off by slow, gray clouds rolling in and a half-mast flag flying over the Capitol. To complete the scene, rain sprinkled down over the vigil as one member led the group in a chorus of “Amazing Grace.”
On a bench by the sidewalk, two attendees held a banner reading “pray for America,” which depicted images of Jesus Christ and Our Lady of Fátima. Others placed a black-and-white image of Kirk on the bench, a makeshift shrine where people left flowers and miniature flags.
Wyoming Responds
Kirk’s unexpected death continues to have an impact on the Cowboy State as residents cope with the tragedy.
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus condemned the University of Wyoming student newspaper The Branding Iron on Friday for publishing an anonymous quote in a story claiming Charlie Kirk “deserved” to be shot.
The university issued a statement to Cowboy State Daily regarding the inflammatory quote and its commitment to “respectful dialogue.”
“Deeply inappropriate remarks made on various platforms in response to the murder of Charlie Kirk are reprehensible and do not reflect the university’s values and principles,” according to a statement. “Our commitment to respectful dialogue compels the University of Wyoming to condemn any and all expressions that endorse, glorify or celebrate political violence.”
The university also states that it values the First Amendment and what it stands for.
“We also stand firmly on the principles of the U.S. Constitution, including the protection of free speech,” a press release says. “That right does not extend to speech that directly incites violence, and we will take appropriate action against speech that poses a genuine threat and is not protected by the Constitution.
“At the same time, the First Amendment permits reprehensible expression that must be addressed… Endorsing or glorifying political violence, such as Charlie Kirk’s murder, is an example of such reprehensible speech.
The university’s statement also urged people to “stop and consider our core values of mutual respect, integrity, and personal responsibility,” and that “our foremost priority remains the safety and well-being of our community.”
