Demonstrators joined together in Fort Worth on Saturday evening to “march in honor Charlie Kirk” and to pray for the U.S. and the country’s future, according to event organizers.
The march was organized by local conservative activists, with the backing of several North Texas-area GOP party chapters.
Thousands of people gathered at the JFK Memorial in downtown Fort Worth about 30 minutes before the march was scheduled to begin. Attendees carried American flags and wore shirts with the word “Freedom” across the front, emulating the shirt Kirk wore on his final day, as well as other Kirk-related shirts, MAGA hats.
In front of the memorial, organizers passed out signs at a teal-colored limousine emblazed with the Turning Point USA logo, as well as cutouts of Kirk and President Donald Trump. The limo had a “MAGA USA” vanity license plate; atop the car, a speaker played worship music.
Political Points
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Sept. 10 as he spoke at a university event in Utah. The conservative activist was best known for co-founding Turning Point USA, an organization that advocated for conservatism on college campuses.
‘We are Charlie Kirk’
In remarks before the march, organizer Paul Lemon, a Fort Worth businessman, said the days of neutrality are “over” following Kirk’s assassination.
“We’re in a battle of good versus evil, and it’s time to choose sides,” he said. “Are you Jesus, or are you with the devil?”
Carlos Turcios, another organizer who is a Tarrant County GOP precinct chair and reporter with The Dallas Express, told the crowd before the march that people celebrating Kirk’s death was evidence of “spiritual warfare.”
“We cannot live in fear,” Turcios said. “We need to continue Charlie’s work.”
In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, he said the purpose of the march was to honor Kirk’s life. He said organizers also hoped to send a message of courage.
The crowd drew people of all ages, from elderly couples to young kids. At the start of the rally, one child stood at the head of the crowd, waving an American flag almost as big as she was.
Nicole Kautz, from Kennedale, spoke at the rally about finding hope amid her grief. Knowing that people were coming to faith since Kirk’s death, or drawing closer to God due to his example, gave her comfort, she said.
After her remarks, she said in an interview that attending church and watching Kirk’s past videos had helped her deal with the anger she’s been feeling.
“I’m trying to just trust that God has a reason for everything,” she said. “He will get revenge when it’s supposed to be.”
As the march began, the rallygoers began shouting “USA,” “Jesus,” and “Charlie Kirk.” A group of people led the march, holding a banner that read “We are Charlie Kirk,” followed by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars carrying American Flags and the Fort Worth Scottish Pipes and Drums band playing music from bagpipes.
While some bystanders cheered and clapped for the march, some also heckled the marchers as they walked by.
Fallout of Kirk’s killing
Kirk’s death has sparked a wide array of reactions. Following the killing, communities held vigils across the country and many prominent figures denounced the assassination. Some online were seen celebrating the death of Kirk, whose comments on race, women and the LGBTQ community often found sharp criticism.
Related
The Texas Education Agency has said it is investigating nearly 300 complaints of teachers making “vile” comments online related to the killing. At least two college students, at Texas Tech and Texas State, were no longer enrolled after they were seen mocking Kirk’s death in videos posted to social media. The student at Texas Tech was also arrested and faces a misdemeanor assault charge; the school has not responded to a list of questions about the arrest.
Lawmakers and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have also asked the University of North Texas to investigate an incident in which students were seen sharing a video of Kirk’s death in class the day he died and supposedly celebrating his death.
Related
Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, has been charged with aggravated murder in Kirk’s killing. Family members told the authorities Robinson had become more politically involved in recent years and disliked Kirk and his views.