Vigils Across US, World Honor slain Conservative Leader Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated last week while speaking at a campus event in Utah, sparking widespread mourning and vigils across the United States and internationally. Thousands gathered in Long Island, New York, chanting his name in tribute, while other memorials took place at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and in various California communities, including San Francisco and Ventura County. Fellow conservatives and political figures, including former Congressman Joe Walsh who once mentored Kirk, expressed shock and grief over his death. The killing has prompted discussions about the normalization of political violence in America, with some Utah officials urging people to disengage from divisive social media discourse and focus on community good. Despite Kirk's controversial views on topics like diversity and the Civil Rights Act, leaders from different political backgrounds condemned the assassination, emphasizing the importance of peaceful debate. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the murder as "sick and reprehensible," while civil rights organizations reiterated their opposition to violence regardless of political differences.