In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10, UVU hosted “A Vigil for Unity” on September 19 at the UCCU Center. The event, billed as an opportunity to foster healing and reaffirm shared values, left many attendees – particularly conservative students and community members trying to remember Charlie – feeling that Kirk’s life and legacy were deliberately downplayed in favor of vague calls for unity.
Attendees arriving at the UCCU Center were met with an unprecedented show of security. Law enforcement from across Utah Valley, spanning from Payson to Salt Lake City, lined the perimeter inside and outside the vigil. Metal detectors screened every individual entering the venue, a stark reminder of the violence that had shaken the campus just over a week prior. Event staff distributed bracelets and coins promoting mental health support, alongside a single piece of paper featuring an image of Charlie Kirk with his family and a quote attributed to him. For many, this handout was the only acknowledgement of Charlie Kirk at the vigil.
The vigil’s speakers, including UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez and former UVU President Matthew Holland, referenced Charlie Kirk’s name only once, opting instead to describe the September 10 assassination as “the tragedy on campus.” Not a single speaker labeled the event for what it was: a political assassination of a prominent conservative influencer and voice. Dr. Juliana Boerio-Goates, a professor emerita of chemistry at BYU, delivered a speech focused on forgiving transgressors as it would bring individual peace. The theme of emphasizing personal peace over justice or accountability downplayed that the event should have been for Charlie Kirk.
This approach left many attendees feeling alienated. “The event seemed to gloss over both Charlie Kirk and the assassination itself,” said a BYU student who witnessed the assassination and attended the vigil. “True unity,” he continued, “doesn’t come from erasing uncomfortable truths or avoiding controversy.” Cameron Fugal, a UVU alumnus, echoed this sentiment and claimed he was “embarrassed” and “terribly disappointed in the university’s response” as there was “no talk about peaceful debate, no talk about the man and his life and what he was dedicated to.” These individuals were not the only ones. At the community created memorial with flowers and posters by the UVU roundabout, a sign read “if you want unity, say his name.” Signs posted for the vigil on sidewalks had written chalk remarks by the side of them pleading “say his name” and “the vigil is for CHARLIE.”
Following a widely circulated petition urging the creation of a permanent memorial, the university established a committee to oversee its development. The committee launched a Qualtrics survey to gather ideas for the memorial’s design and ultimate purpose. Through this survey, the community has an opportunity to advocate for a memorial honoring Charlie Kirk rather than the vague concept of “unity” narrative pushed by the school, aligning with the strong sentiment behind the petition. You can share your ideas for the memorial here.
UVU has not announced plans for additional events to address Kirk’s assassination. However, the university continues to offer counseling and support services for students and staff as announced by Student Body President Kyle Cullimore during his speech. In President Astrid Tuminez’s address, she used photographs of emotional support dogs and other support services to promote the students for seeking help if needed. The investigation into Kirk’s death remains ongoing despite the arrest of the alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson. Authorities promise updates as new information emerges.
The Cougar Chronicle is an independent student-run newspaper and is not affiliated with Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cover Photo Source: Margie Brown
While a hundred million people across the nation and the globe gathered and streamed to remember the person Charlie Kirk, the very place where he was murdered couldn’t even bring itself to include his name on the announcements of their vigil. The first speaker, a professor, didn’t mention Charlie once. To be fair, that wasn’t necessary. She was just asking people to find common interest in sport teams, books and movies etc. so they can have unity. The only other two non-student speakers—the past and current presidents of the university—managed one reference to Charlie per president. Again, that was enough for the occasion. Beneath their hollow quotes and empty oratories, you get the idea that their concern was really about themselves and their peace of mind. Never mind Charlie Kirk, his courage, his faith, his stand for free speech and the bigger things that stand behind him. But something more was off, even sick, and you don’t see it until you look back and ask why it felt so wrong. And then you realize, they were equating the assassinated and the assassin and were really saying this is a both-sides thing. Hence the call to all to understand and have unity. Oh these deeply educated “educators!” Funny that the founder of the two presidents’ religion was also murdered. I wonder: after the assassination of Joseph Smith, did they put together a vigil for unity, avoid saying his name, and show pictures of emotional support dogs? Allow me to be a little more direct: Shame on you, UVU managers!