Turning Point USA, an event organized by the activist who was killed on September 10, brought together 2,500 people on Wednesday (24) at Virginia Tech University
The murder of the political influencer did not interrupt his young conservative movement. On the contrary, it is boosting its platform. “What happened lit something in me. It’s like he had left a flag and I caught it and get it up,” he told the AFP Kieran Owen, a 16 -year -old high school student from Virginia. Owen was among the 2,500 people who attended the event of the Turning Point organization uses on Wednesday (24) at Virginia Tech University, about four hours from Washington.
“We are with Charlie,” shouted the crowd. Some participants wore red caps with the “Make America Great Again (Maga) logo”, slogan of the president’s campaign. Others wore white caps with number 47, in reference to the current term in the White House. In each chair, the organizers put a poster with Kirk’s photo and the US flag.
The organizers of the event, American Comeback Tour, wore white shirts with the word “freedom,” similar to what Kirk was wearing when he was murdered. The 31 -year -old conservative activist was shot in the neck on September 10 while talking at a Utah University as part of his popular series of public debates.
“He made a live broadcast … I watched even one in the morning,” said Owen, who describes himself as a Christian and against abortion. “He really persuades people,” he adds, saying he had considered going to the event in Virginia Tech before Kirk was murdered. “It was very shocking to me. There is no place for this in the United States,” he said in reference to political violence.
‘You can’t silence a majority’
Kayleigh Finch believes that it is currently “more important than ever participating in this type of events.” “Come here to show that one cannot silence a majority like this,” she says, with a cross and a t -shirt written “Jesus.”
This is the first time that Levi Testman, 18, has been going to a political event. “I saw first at Tiktok. I really liked to hear his message. I liked how he went to universities to talk to young people, the next voters in the country, and I think that was a great gesture,” he said. “What happened to him really affected me … It made me want to be here today to continue the legacy he created. And change the opinion of more people,” he added.
But not only did young people mobilize after Kirk’s death. Melissa Lucas Gardner, a 66 -year -old retired woman said she knew nothing about the influencer until her death. “I never heard anything from him until this happened. But, as they say, a new group of followers was formed,” said the former police and nurse.
Virginia’s republican governor Glenn Youngkin approached Kirk’s view of a crowd on Wednesday. “You will be the next Charlie,” he told those present before praying with the group.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Nicolas Robert
