Henrietta Hassinger waited by her SUV for a friend parking in an adjacent spot. Like many others at Fluehr Park on Wednesday evening, she said she hoped Charlie Kirk’s death would spur Americans to reconcile.

“I hope this would bring people more together and not be so far apart,” Hassinger said. “I’m hurt, but I’m happy for him because I know he’s in heaven.” 

A large crowd of over 100 people gathered at a vigil for the conservative political activist in Northeast Philadelphia, six days after the 31-year-old was shot and killed at an event on Utah Valley University’s campus.

Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, which is largely credited with helping the GOP to turn out young adults in elections over the past decade. He was known for holding events on college campuses, where he often engaged with liberal critics. Some of Kirk’s statements were controversial and provocative. He was a strong critic of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and LGBTQ+ rights, said gun deaths are “worth it” to protect gun rights, and said he believed in “replacement theory,” the idea that global elites — often with antisemitic references to Jewish people — are attempting to increase the number of non-white immigrants, displacing white Americans.

While almost all politicians denounced the violence, many Democrats had said that Kirk’s words had harmful consequences for many people, and condemned the Trump Administration’s decision to honor Kirk, whom the president was especially fond of. State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, a Democrat from Philadelphia, was among them.

“Honoring someone who spent his life promoting division and bigotry sends the wrong message,” Williams said. “We must not conflate tragedy with heroism.”

Candles are handed out at the Northeast Philly vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A man in an Eagles pullover helps two older women light theirs. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)

Fans of the conservative activist chalked up these conflicting perspectives simply as a difference of opinion.

Kirk’s death sparked memorials across America and worldwide. This vigil was the second in three days in Philadelphia — another was held at Marconi Plaza on Monday, Sept. 15 — and the first in the Northeast, the most conservative voting block of the city.

This theme of togetherness was a common thread of Wednesday’s vigil.

Republican State Sen. Joe Picozzi, who had promoted the event on social media in the days leading up to the vigil, was the first to address the crowd. He called for everyone “to pray together as a community, to share, to make this a moment of love.”

The first-term senator then offered the microphone to anyone who wanted to speak. Among the orators was a self-described “Jan. 6 political prisoner,” who called Kirk “an American hero.”

The speeches culminated in a group prayer, led by Father Joseph Zaleski. 

‘There really is no hate’

A cross adorned Leanne Wiedmayer’s black shirt. She echoed the religious sentiments heard throughout the evening. The 52-year-old Tacony resident also said that she has no ill will towards people on the political left.

Instead, she said, they are influenced by “a lot of dark propaganda,” and she hopes that God reveals the truth to them.

“We do love them and we do pray for them and we do hope for their souls,” Wiedmayer said. “There really is no hate.”

Charlie Kirk vigil attendees in Northeast Philly hold their candles, listening to speakers. (Ben Bennett/Billy Penn)

Many at the vigil held this sentiment, and claimed they had no problem with Democrats or anyone on the left, for that matter.  These supporters of Kirk hoped his death might be a uniting factor, pointing to the fact that Kirk engaged with those he disagreed with.

Speakers and attendees said that the activist’s death should make people realize that both sides aren’t as different as they think.

Among the speakers was the conservative influencer danielspeaksup, who has more than 200,000 followers on Tiktok and had also attended the recent gathering in South Philadelphia. 

Daniel said the most important thing we need right now is unity, and that when freedom of speech is under attack for any single person, everyone is at risk. The conservative TikToker attributed to Kirk the idea that violence happens when people stop talking.

“You don’t have to like everything that he says, but going forward, let’s have that conversation as Americans,” Daniel said.

Before the gathering, Jeff Schwartz walked his bike through Fluehr Park, noting the growing number of red MAGA hats in the parking lot. The Torresdale resident said he was unaware of the vigil.

“It sucks that he died, but he was a hatemonger,” Schwartz said. “To see celebrations for him isn’t great.”