Students debate with Charlie Kirk supporters in UMC Fountain Court (Avery Clifton/CU Independent)
A group of demonstrators carrying photos and signs of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, gathered in the University Memorial Center Fountain Court at the University of Colorado Boulder campus Friday. According to Ross Palmer, a participant in the gathering, the group came to “honor the memory of Charlie Kirk.”
Charlie Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative politics on university campuses, in 2012.
Known for his extreme views, Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University during the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour” on Wednesday. News of his death spread quickly on social media, sparking online discourse and creating debate about his role in American politics.
Turning Point USA supporter Cathy Russel made a post on X promoting the event on the CU campus.
“We invite students to engage in respectful dialogue about Charlie Kirk and free speech,” it read.
Paul Tweedlie, described the group as one of “like minded people,” and walked around the fountain court carrying an American flag and a sign reading “Charlie Kirk 1993-2025.” Tweedlie said he received an email invitation for the gathering and came to hear the reasons for “being on whichever side you’re on.”
“There is a lot of emotion on both sides,” said Tweedlie.
Kathryn Lehr and Paul Tweedlie pose for photo in UMC Fountain Courtyard (Camryn Montgomery/CU Independent)
Signs held by gatherers read “Rest in peace Charlie,” “Free speech is alive,” and “Our hero.” Some stood together in a circle, others walked around the fountain court displaying their signs and engaging in conversations with students.
Kathryn Lehr, an attendee who ran for Colorado state representative of District 49 in 2022 as a republican, said her reasons for attending were to engage with people and correct misconceptions about Kirk.
“I think that Charlie Kirk was a very dignified, compassionate person, and it pains me to hear people describe him as a white supremacist,” said Lehr.
Scott Ritner, lecturer in the political science department, watched the gathering from the side with students.
“I think that people who aren’t college students shouldn’t be trying to intimidate college students on a college campus,” said Ritner. “They’re here to draw attention and create stress.”
Rylie Hurtubise, student at CU Boulder, was studying in the fountain court when she was approached by a member of the group.
“I think she really just wanted to have a respectful conversation,” said Hurtubise. “There’s been some other people that I’ve seen that have not been so respectful.”
Another student, Dakota Bryant, sat in the fountain court observing the group. Bryant said that the group treated Kirk as if he was “the second coming of Christ.”
“I don’t like that he got killed, but to pretend like he’s a martyr all of the sudden, I think is a bit ridiculous,” said Bryant.
Despite disagreeing with the group, Bryant said he had no issue with their presence on campus.
“I’m cool with it,” Bryant said. “I think the great thing about college campuses is this is the place to have these kinds of difficult discussions.”
Contact CU Independent Assistant News Editor Avery Clifton at Avery.Clifton@colorado.edu
Contact CU Independent Assistant News Editor Camryn Montgomery at Camryn.Montgomery@colorado.edu
