As the hot sun bore down onto the campus quad, small groups sat in circles, quietly praying.
They were gathered to honor Charlie Kirk, the right-wing influencer and activist who was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. In 2012, Kirk founded Turning Point USA to promote conservative politics at high schools and colleges throughout the country.
The vigil was hosted by IU Indianapolis’ chapter of the organization.
“Charlie’s confidence was in the Lord, and that’s where our confidence should be too,” Caleb Manring, one of the IU Indy’s Turning Point board members, told the crowd after a reading of Psalm 125.
Between remarks and readings from the chapter’s leaders, attendees broke into small groups to pray. Some could be heard speaking about grief and the pain of political division. Some prayed for the shooter to be forgiven. Others were silent.
Rachel Cooper, the chapter’s president, spoke against continued vitriol and division.
“After tragic events like these, there has been a continuous pattern of blaming the other side and letting there be a root of hate and division, and that is exactly what the devil wants,” Cooper said. “We really need to make sure that we are praying for peace over this country.”
Many of the students described being frustrated by the country’s divisive political environment, and were troubled both by Kirk’s death and reactions to it.
“My classmates, they were kind of making fun of (Kirk’s death), and I thought that was kind of messed up,” graphic design student Mira Render said.
Buddy Raines, the chair of the Catholic Student Organization, said he most admired Kirk’s willingness to engage in debate. “I feel like I don’t get to have that on this campus,” Raines said.
Raines said there have been times where he’s been afraid to voice his opinion in classes for fear of social or academic consequences. He’d been looking forward to seeing Kirk speak at IU Bloomington next month.
There was a notable law enforcement presence near the vigil — at least a half a dozen officers stood within a few hundred feet.
“We want to have civil discourse, but before that can happen, we need to come together and unify as a country,” Cooper said. “That is why we’re here together praying.”
Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU Indy’s chapter of Turning Point USA holds vigil for Charlie Kirk