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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Charlie Kirk’s supporters gathered at the Lincoln Memorial Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil commemorating the one-year anniversary of his assassination.
Turning Point USA Communities organized the vigil held near the Reflecting Pool from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Attendees gathered to honor the life and legacy of the Turning Point USA founder, who was fatally shot one year earlier while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Organizers encouraged those in the crowd to “Stand for Charlie and stand for FREEDOM!”
Around 250 people turned out for the event.
Many in the crowd wore TPUSA or conservative merchandise, like T-shirts saying “We Are the Pro-Life Generation” and baseball caps with “For God and Country” and “Trump 2028.”
The vigil began at the Lincoln Memorial, where organizers distributed plastic candles. From there, the group walked to the Prayer For The Nation Memorial. Organizers led the group in a prayer before leading attendees onward to the Washington Monument.
At the Washington Monument, the group sang Amazing Grace together before circling to the side of the monument facing the Lincoln Memorial for a group photograph.
Organizers encouraged attendees to pray, worship, and/or sing praise during the walks.
For attendees, this vigil was a chance to remember Kirk personally and reflect on his influence on people’s lives and the conservative movement.
Wow! D.C. students and other conservatives sing "Amazing Grace" during a vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk last night.
— The College Fix (@CollegeFix) September 11, 2026
Video from College Fix reporter Jeanine Yuen. pic.twitter.com/iPHVmcoh1m
One student from American University said he would not have gotten involved in Republican politics had it not been for Kirk’s encouragement.
“I’m here to honor the guy who’s never going to know that he might have had one of the greatest impacts on my life,” Lucas Price said. “Six years ago, I got involved in politics. I wouldn’t have been able to do that at that age if it weren’t for how much he opened the floodgates.”
“We’re here to honor a good man who created a million little Charlie Kirks,” Price said.
Another student from Catholic University of America said on a conservative campus, he was really able to see the positive impact Kirk had on kids his age.
“Everybody was distraught,” Matthew Lai said. “Even I wasn’t strong… he is still shaping the younger generation.”
There were no protesters at the vigil but one heckler who ran past while repeatedly telling the vigil attendees “you guys f’ing suck.”
A film crew was present throughout the vigil to record the event.
The Washington DC Vigil was one of many events held to commemorate Charlie Kirk on the anniversary of his assassination.
Turning Point USA also held a separate memorial event at Utah Valley University under the same theme of “Freedom Built to Last.”
The Candlelight Vigil Memorial concluded with attendees walking back to the Lincoln Memorial along the other side of the Reflecting Pool.
MORE: Michael Knowles, Glenn Beck praise Kirk’s enduring effect on Americans’ faith
