Photos by Deb Gau People light candles and flashlights during a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk held in Liberty Park Tuesday evening.

dgau@marshallindependent.com

MARSHALL — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk had an impact on many people’s lives, speakers at a Tuesday memorial said.

As a crowd of people gathered at Liberty Park in Marshall, area residents talked about Kirk as a man who stood up for his beliefs.

“Today we gather not only to remember a man, but to reflect on the ideas that he championed and the courage that he embodied,” said Braxton Seifert, a speaker and organizer at the memorial. “Charlie Kirk was never afraid to challenge the status quo. He believed that the truth was worth defending even when it’s unpopular.”

A memorial gathering for Kirk, organized by the Lyon County Republicans and College Republicans, was held at the Liberty Park bandshell Tuesday evening. President Donald Trump proclaimed Oct. 14 as a national day of remembrance for Kirk.

The program in Marshall included guest speakers and music, and people in the crowd lit candles or turned on flashlights for a vigil. Seifert also announced that a chapter of Turning Point U.S.A., the conservative campus group co-founded by Kirk, would be starting at Southwest Minnesota State University next semester.

Speakers at the memorial included state Rep. Chris Swedzinski, Marshall Evangelical Free Church pastor Andrew Lundstrom, and area residents.

Swedzinski spoke about how Kirk was prepared to go to uncomfortable and challenging places, like when he would speak at university campuses. Kirk showed courage in speaking about his faith and beliefs, Swedzinski said.

“You know, we hear over and over that America is the most divided that it’s ever been, and it’s only divided because we’re standing strong for what we believe,” Swedzinski said. “We believe that a family that is based on faith is the cornerstone to a grand idea, right? That cornerstone of faith and family is a cornerstone of the foundation of a beautiful country our forefathers laid before us, and that we tread upon and build upon,” he said.

Speaker Jett Wing said he was “greatly impacted” by Kirk’s life.

“I’m grateful for the way that Charlie Kirk set an example of what it truly means to live a life fueled by faith, purpose and courage,” Wing said. “As I was really trying to figure out what I was going to share tonight, three things stuck out to me about Charlie’s life. One of them was his love for Jesus, his love for his family, and then his love for his country.”

Wing said Kirk “passionately believed in America’s founding principles, and tirelessly advocated for the return of the values that he felt made our nation great.”

Memorial organizer Deb Hoganson also spoke, reflecting on why Kirk’s death had such an impact on her.

“Why did it hit us so hard? I think it hit too close to home. It was his code of values, faith, family and country. His code resonates with the deepest beliefs of myself and just about everyone I know,” Hoganson told the audience. “He stood up and he spoke truth. He was taken away from his loved ones and the whole world because of that.”

Speakers said Kirk’s message was an inspiration to speak out, to be strong in faith, and to make the world a better place.

“We all have choices to make this world a better place. Love over hate, justice over injustice, tolerance over intolerance, free speech over censorship, and above all good over evil,” Seifert said. “Let’s honor Charlie not by echoing his words, but by living with the same fire.”

“How do we remember Charlie Kirk and the courage to go to places, to speak truth of faith, and family, and freedom, in uncomfortable places? I challenge each and every one of you to practice that,” Swedzinski said. “Most importantly, love those that you might disagree with, because we’re not going to fight our way and beat each other up to mend this country.”