After the death of a very different martyr, musician Peter Gabriel would muse in the song “Biko” in honor of slain South African activist Stephen Biko that “You can blow out a candle, but you can’t blow out a fire / Once the flames begin to catch, the wind will blow it higher.”
And so from Utah comes news that the fire of Charlie Kirk will still burn in the state where he was assassinated. The “American Comeback Tour” will return to Utah on Sept. 30 at Utah State University, according to the New York Post.
Kirk took Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour” to Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 when he was shot to death. Tyler Robinson has been arrested and faces a murder charge in connection with Kirk’s death.
Moving forward with the tour is “exactly what Charlie would have wanted,” Turning Point USA’s Utah State University Chapter President Kaitlin Griffiths said.
“He wouldn’t want things to go on hold. He would only want this to empower our organization and our entire nation,” he said.
“He wouldn’t want his movement to go on pause because of this. He would only want it to grow stronger and to continue,” she said.
The college said it is “working with local, state and federal partners to ensure appropriate security measures” for the event.
“Given the heightened concerns, USU’s department of public safety is continuing to collaborate with these partners to ensure appropriate safety measures and protocols are in place,” the college said.
Griffiths said interest in the Sept. 30 event has been rising, which means it could move from its originally scheduled venue to the college’s basketball arena.
“I’ve gotten a lot of people offering to help, asking if there’s any way to volunteer for helping with that event. A lot of people in the local community, at the school as well, just asking for more details,” Griffiths said.
“Each stop is a chance to honor Charlie’s mission and keep the fight alive. We know he wouldn’t want us to surrender or be coerced into silence. Free speech is only free if we use our voices,” Turning Point USA said about the event in a post on its website.
“Join us, and let’s fight to save America and honor the legacy of Charlie Kirk!” the post said.
Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Turning Point USA, said scheduled fall events will be held, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
“In honor of Charlie Kirk’s life, mission, and legacy, some of the most influential voices in the conservative movement have generously offered to speak in his place at these events. Their commitment ensures that Charlie’s vision for America carries forward with strength and conviction,” she said.
Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, who now leads Turning Point USA, has said the tour would not give in to grief.
“Our campus tour this fall will continue,. There will be even more tours in the years to come,” she said.
“In a world filled with chaos, doubt and uncertainty, my husband’s voice will remain, and it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever,” she said.
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