When Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10 during a speaking event in Utah, it sent shockwaves across the country.
He was a voice for free speech, traditional values, and the Second Amendment on college campuses where those views are often silenced.
His death has sparked vigils nationwide, including some here in Nevada, as people gather to honor his life.
But instead of being moments of unity and prayer, many of these events have faced threats, vandalism, and outright attempts to shut them down.
SCOOP: Sutton, MA Charlie Kirk vigil CANCELLED after leftists threatened organizer & community with violence
I’m told one person had his truck VANDALIZED last night after he posted about the vigil.
Another said she had threats made to her family.
I’m told a lot of people still… pic.twitter.com/RkX74T5aa6
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 18, 2025
From Utah to Nevada, Conservatives Mourn
Kirk was killed by Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with first-degree murder.
In the days since, more than 100 vigils have been organized across America. From Boston Common to small-town church gatherings in places like Plymouth, Massachusetts, ordinary people have come together with candles, flags, and prayers.
Here in Nevada, local conservatives also organized gatherings.
In Reno, dozens of young activists held a candlelight vigil near the University of Nevada campus.
In Las Vegas, Turning Point USA alumni joined local GOP groups for a prayer service, reminding Nevadans of Kirk’s many visits to the Silver State.
He spoke several times in Las Vegas, often rallying students and families for school choice and free speech.
A Cancelled Vigil in Massachusetts Gets National Attention
One small vigil in Sutton, Massachusetts, became a national flashpoint this week.
A flyer for the event was widely shared on X, including by the popular conservative account Libs of TikTok, which has over 3 million followers.
The post reported that the vigil was officially canceled after organizers received threats. One woman’s truck was vandalized, and another family reportedly faced direct threats after posting about the event.
Even so, the post said many people still planned to show up informally.
By Thursday, the post had drawn over 12,000 likes and 4,600 reposts.
The message struck a chord with conservatives who see a double standard: the left often claims to be about tolerance, but some of its loudest voices cheer when violence happens to conservatives.
A Pattern of Threats and Disruptions
Sadly, the Sutton story is not unique. At least five other vigils across the country have been canceled or cut short because of safety concerns.
-
In Maine, a vigil at Bowdoin College was postponed after police warned of a possible threat.
-
In Florida, an elderly organizer was shoved during a Kirk memorial.
-
In California, even white supremacist agitators showed up to disrupt an otherwise peaceful gathering.
In Boston, a large event on September 18 had to end early when a small group of protesters burned flags and shouted down prayers. Two people were arrested for disorderly conduct.
Nevada’s Role in the Fight for Free Speech
Nevada has often been ground zero for the free speech debates Kirk championed.
From protests at UNLV to debates over conservative speakers in Reno, many students here know exactly what Kirk stood for.
Gov. Joe Lombardo has made clear his support for campus free speech and school choice, policies that Kirk often promoted.
Nevada parents and students are seeing firsthand why those issues matter: when free speech is silenced, whether by mob protests or government overreach, everyone loses.
As Turning Point USA prepares for a major national event in Kirk’s honor, many Nevadans will be watching closely.
The question is whether conservatives can continue to gather and speak freely—or whether threats and intimidation will keep pushing them out of the public square.
A Divided Country, but a Determined Movement
Critics of Kirk argue that his rhetoric was too sharp and fueled division. They point out that some of his views on elections or cultural issues stirred strong backlash.
But even they cannot deny that the outpouring of vigils shows his influence on a generation of conservatives.
For his supporters, the lesson of these past days is simple: freedom isn’t free.
From Nevada to Massachusetts, ordinary people are standing up – sometimes in the face of real danger – to honor a man who taught them not to be silent.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
