On Wednesday at Utah Valley University, conservative activist and founder of TurningPoint USA (TPUSA), Charlie Kirk, was assassinated while speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” event in the outdoor area near the student center commons. The crowd was energized and full of promise until the fatal shot struck him in the neck. Charlie died later that afternoon.
The tragedy sent shockwaves through campuses and communities nationwide. Our own Free Expression Tunnel, a symbol of open debate and dialogue, was defaced with hateful and mocking messages. A place meant to encourage ideas was instead used to spread cruelty and fear.
The Free Expression Tunnel has long stood as one of the most visible symbols of the First Amendment on our campus. It was created to be a blank canvas where students of every background could paint, write and display their ideas openly, whether popular or unpopular. It reflects the constitutional right to free speech, the right to criticize leaders and the right to advocate for change. Those freedoms, protected by the First Amendment, are not granted by the university but safeguarded by our democracy. When that tunnel is misused to smear or intimidate rather than debate, it cuts against its very purpose and weakens the environment of honest, civil discussion that higher education is supposed to encourage.
Charlie Kirk embodied the spirit of that tunnel and the First Amendment rights it represents. He built a career on showing up in difficult places, speaking to audiences who disagreed with him and defending the right of all students to express their beliefs without fear of being shouted down or threatened. He often reminded people that freedom of speech does not mean freedom from criticism but that every voice deserves a chance to be heard. Whether you agreed with him or not, Charlie showed what free expression can look like in action: bold, unafraid and committed to dialogue.
When I first heard the news of Charlie’s death, I was speechless. It felt unreal, as if the air had been knocked out of me. The sadness and disbelief were overwhelming. It is hard to comprehend losing someone whose voice and mission have inspired so many. Yet as the grief settled in, it also stirred something deeper. Moments like this are not times to retreat. They are times to stand up, to speak louder and to defend what is right.
On September 12th, 2025, at the press conference marking the arrest, authorities confirmed that Robinson acted alone and that his capture had removed the immediate threat. Still, they urged vigilance in a time of rising political violence.
Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, spoke with fierce courage in her first public address since the tragedy. Speaking from TPUSA’s Phoenix headquarters, she declared, “The movement my husband built will not die. It won’t. I refuse to let that happen … No one will ever forget my husband’s name. … It will become stronger. Bolder. Louder and greater than ever.” She made clear that the organization’s work, including the tour, the podcasts and AmericaFest, (the TPUSA’s annual conference), will continue.
In this moment of loss, we must also remember our shared humanity and the rights granted to us through our Constitution. These freedoms are not given lightly and must not be taken for granted. We must remember the ideals of our democracy, including free expression, peaceful assembly and the dignity of every individual, and live them out even when it is difficult. Honoring these principles is how we honor Charlie’s legacy.
This is not the time for silence or fear. Conservative students must refuse to be intimidated and refuse to be quiet. We must meet hate with conviction, courage and clarity. Not with anger, but with unwavering commitment to ideas and to truth.
Charlie Kirk’s life and work now call on us to bear responsibility. We must be louder than our grief and braver than our fear. We cannot allow intimidation to dictate who gets heard and who must vanish into silence. We honor his legacy by carrying forward his vision with action, thought and purpose.
We grieve with loudness. We mourn without shame. We will not let intimidation become acceptable on our campus or in our culture. Charlie Kirk must not be remembered as a victim but as a martyr whose torch now rests with us.
Editor’s note: If you are interested in carrying Charlie’s legacy forward by writing for The Free Pack, please email Lauri Salovaara at lssalova@ncsu.edu
