About 100 people gathered at Sayre Park Sunday evening, Sept. 21, to celebrate the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, a controversial media personality and co-founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA. A few sign holders kept close to Grande Avenue, while drivers honked in approval or shouted in dismay.
Adilia Asplund of New Castle was there for “freedom” and because she said Charlie Kirk set a good example. She, like some others there, didn’t follow Kirk much before his death, but said that he gave people courage to speak out. “We all think differently,” she stated, adding she would mourn a senseless death of a Republican or Democrat.
“We are all brothers and sisters — white, Black — we are all human,” said Asplund.
After an opening prayer by Pastor Del Whittington, Garfield County Commissioner Perry Will took the stage.
“Today, our nation mourns the loss of one of its greatest sons and most endearing champions,” began Will, who added that Kirk was “a voice of reason in turbulent times and a beacon of moral clarity when the path forward seemed so uncertain.” He urged the audience to carry on Kirk’s legacy. “Yes, we have lost a towering figure, but we have not lost the ideals he fought for. Those remain, and it is now our solemn duty to carry them forward with the same courage, the same resolve and the same unyielding belief that tomorrow can be better than today.”
Spencer Thomas, chairman of Garfield County Republicans, was up next. He commended Kirk’s “prove-me-wrong” method and expressed his hope that it would continue on through others, encouraging the crowd to engage in dialogue with people who think differently — something he himself could improve on, he added. He went as far as to suggest that a chapter of Turning Point USA could be introduced into local schools and Colorado Mountain College.
Thomas condemned political violence and “the rhetoric that gives false license to those who contemplate and commit it.” In an interview with The Sun, he elaborated that people should stick to arguing policy, and that calling someone a fascist or a nazi is “just irresponsible.”
During his speech, Thomas noted that Kirk’s wife, Erika, forgave the suspected shooter during the memorial in Arizona. “In that, I ask that you forgive those who may come at you with the most untoward language, the most hateful language. Forgive them and move right into engagement.”
When asked what he would say to people who believe that Kirk’s messaging was divisive, he said, “I would encourage them to take in a more full body of his work. Put it in context.”
Aaron Thomas of Rifle knew of Kirk before his passing, but said he really dug into his work after his death. “I watched countless hours of him and all he did was reflect Jesus. There was no hate that came from that guy — [just] love for God, love for family, love for country.”
Lastly, The Sun caught up with Caleb Waller, who previously ran as a Republican in Colorado’s HD57 race. He said that he is really hurting, but ultimately he hopes unity will come through dialogue.
“I think one of the biggest mistakes that happened in America was when we stopped talking religion and stopped talking politics … Because of the fact that now we can’t be in the same room together and disagree.”
Waller stated, “Our country is in a really hurting place right now,”, conceding that that is not just a Republican sentiment. “I’ve felt that on the left as well, to a certain extent, they’re also hurting from this.” He concluded by posing a rhetorical question: “Can we be human again, and not let something … hundreds of miles away, or what we’re reading online, dictate how we interact with our community?”
The event closed with a vigil, a walk around the park and a prayer circle.
