There was a vigil last Friday evening to remember conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which was organized by Lynnfield resident Bob Priestley. On Sept. 10, Kirk was assassinated while holding an event for his organization Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University.
Kirk is survived by his wife and his two young children, a son and daughter. His wife, Erika, has since been appointed as CEO of Turning Point USA. In her first public address, she vowed that “the movement my husband built will not die.”
Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with Kirk’s killing, charging him with aggravated murder, among other related crimes. Robinson was arrested after turning himself in – urged on by his parents and a family friend, according to charging documents filed in the Fourth Judicial District Court of Utah.
In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, communities around the country have held candlelight vigils and other events commemorating the controversial activist, drawing large crowds to share their grief. This includes the vigil in Lynnfield, which was attended by more than 120 people.
When asked by the Lynnfield Weekly News why he decided to organize the vigil, Priestley said, “I went to church this past Sunday … I don’t go to church a lot, and to my dismay … there was not one word. Not one word about 9/11, not one word about Charlie Kirk. I was hoping to go there to get some solace, so I said, ‘Well, I guess I have to make it myself.’”
The theme of the event in Lynnfield was, above all, grief. That grief was palpable, with tears shed by speakers and listeners across the crowd.
Grief was not the only theme, however. There were also multiple calls for forgiveness, peace, and the need for dialogue. The speakers focused on Kirk’s faith and his willingness to engage in discussion and debate with anyone.
One attendee, a man named Dominic, said to the Lynnfield Weekly News, “I just want everyone to be tolerant. You can get caught up in the anger, and it just doesn’t solve anything.”
