BUZZ
Several leftwing groups plan to protest a memorial in honor of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, where he was fatally shot last year.
The “Freedom Built to Last, Honoring Charlie Kirk” memorial is set for Sept. 10 — the day Kirk was assassinated on the Orem, Utah, campus.
TPUSA said in a news release the event will “honor Charlie as a faith-filled husband, father, and defender of free speech with a memorial that serves as a deliberate act of remembrance and a call for students and supporters to continue his life’s work.”
“We will not stand for this,” stated Students for a Democratic Society UVU and the Community Defense Club of UVU, along with the national SDS chapter and “The Black Menaces” group, in announcing the protest on social media.
“The UVU administration has closed campus that day, and has endorsed this event, which is an endorsement of the views of Turning Point and Charlie Kirk,” the groups stated, encouraging people to join the protest against “racism, homophobia, bigotry and hate.”
In August, campus leaders announced classes would be canceled on Sept. 10 to allow for “healing.”
In a statement, administrators said the Kirk memorial is hosted by Turning Point USA, the group Kirk founded: “While campus operations will be closed that day to provide time and space for reflection, service, and connection, the UCCU Center will remain open.”
The memorial is a private event. Tickets are required and heavy security is planned.
Scheduled speakers include conservative commentator Glenn Beck and Christian apologist Frank Turek.
