SPOKANE, Wash. – Anthony Di Mauro is organizing a vigil on Saturday night at Manito Park for those grieving the death of Charlie Kirk. Di Mauro shared his personal connection to the event, explaining that his mother considered Kirk a friend.
“I was in the middle of prayer and my mom starts bawling her eyes out and she comes and says, they killed Charlie Kirk,” said Di Mauro.
Di Mauro noted that his mother first met Kirk when she was organizing a Lincoln Day dinner in Spokane, where Kirk was a speaker. This was the beginning of their friendship.
While she declined to appear on camera, Di Mauro’s mother provided a statement, which he read aloud:
“I will never forget our last conversation just a few months ago – it was such a sweet and tender moment, full of pride and joy. He was especially proud of his daughter, whom he thought was brilliant and now, knowing they will never see him again – its devastating.”
Di Mauro emphasized the importance of unity in the community during this time of mourning.
“I think that’s the biggest part of this is unity. Unity in the community,” he said.
Additional vigils are scheduled in the Spokane area, including one at the Clocktower on Saturday and others on local college campuses. These events will see participation from the community and local chapters of Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.
Bree Pollack, president of Whitworth University’s Turning Point chapter, mentioned that she and other leaders have already attended vigils in Coeur d’Alene and plan to attend more upcoming events.
“Our first event was honoring Charlie Kirk’s death this year – which was absolutely crazy that I’m even saying that,” Pollack said. “We’re going to try and support as many as we possibly can.”
Pollack noted an increase in interest among Whitworth students in joining Turning Point USA.
“We added on like 15 new members to our chapter,” she said.
As the community gathers at memorials, both Pollack and Di Mauro expressed hope for the continuation of Charlie Kirk’s mission.
“He expressed his opinion and he invited people to come and express theirs at these college events,” Di Mauro said.
