SPOKANE, Wash. – Community members in Spokane gathered on Saturday to honor Charlie Kirk, an activist who was recently assassinated in Utah. Vigils were held at Manito and Riverfront Park, as people came together with candles and prayers to focus on unity and love.
Kirk’s death occurred just three days ago when he was shot during one of his events. The FBI identified Tyler Robinson as the suspect, after the 22-year-old reportedly admitted to his family that he killed Kirk, leading a relative to contact authorities. Robinson was subsequently arrested.
Anthony Di Mauro, the organizer of the Spokane vigil, emphasized the message behind the gathering.
“The core of this whole vigil is to bring about unity. It’s to bring about love in the community and to really show people that political violence is not okay. We’re all gathered here to shine a light and be a powerful witness in the darkness,” Di Mauro said.
Another vigil is scheduled for Franklin Park, starting Sunday at 1 p.m. Di Mauro expressed hope that these moments of unity will spread across the country, with people choosing love over division.
Kirk’s memorial is set for next Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, but the Spokane community has already found its own way to honor his life and message.
