By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Hays residents gathered at the corner of Vine and 27th on Sunday to honor Charlie Kirk and what they said was his commitment to peaceful discussions.
Adam Peters, chairman of the Ellis County GOP, said he attended the event because Kirk was killed for his faith and principles.
"He believed that we need to follow God, be faithful and reflect that love in others," Peters said. "He believed in the Constitution, the First Amendment, and the right to speak freely. He died while exercising that right."
Kirk co-founded the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, based in Arizona. He was killed by a single shot at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 during a debate.
"Charlie was a man who by all accounts was a decent husband, father and faithful Christian," Peters said.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Thursday after a family member of Robinson reached out to a family friend with information that Robinson had “confessed” or implied involvement in the shooting, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters Friday.
You can learn more about the assassination of Charlie Kirk here.
Kayson Unsworth attended Sunday’s event to pay his respects, calling Kirk an American icon who helped many young men.
"I initially felt anger, then sadness and now it's encouragement," Unsworth said.
Unsworth emphasized the need for open debate across political lines, cautioning against the formation of echo chambers.
He compares Kirk’s death to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
"I think it's very similar... hopefully it moves us forward and we can just unite under freedom of speech," Unsworth said.
David Koshiol said he first came across Kirk on social media and admired his work to protect children from what he called “the trans ideology movement.”
Koshiol said the assassination was shocking yet not unexpected in the current political climate.
"I immediately thought that this was bad for our country," he said. "I feel like this is going to be pushing people on both sides towards the other."
Koshiol said although Kirk is gone, the conservative movement will carry on. He also emphasized the importance of open discourse and unity.
"We're all neighbors and live together. We're all sharing the same city and country. We have to learn to work together and do it as harmoniously as we can," he said.
"Charlie Kirk was a fantastic figure for America," Taylor Wright said at Sunday's event. "He didn't deserve what he got."
Wright said she admired Kirk’s student debates and his openness in sharing God’s message.
"Don't be afraid to speak your mind. Even though it was a horrible outcome for Charlie, you shouldn't be afraid to have your own freedom of speech in this country," Wright said.
Unsworth, Koshial and Wright expressed regret or wished that they could have met Kirk. A Facebook event listed Ellis County Republican Party and Kansas Republican Party as organizers of the event.
