Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday evening on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol to honor the life and legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed during a speaking event in Utah earlier this week.

Organized by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, the candlelight vigil drew a diverse crowd of students, families, lawmakers, and members of Turning Point USA, the youth organization Kirk co-founded. 

Attendees held candles, sang patriotic songs like God Bless America and Arms of an Angel, and shared heartfelt tributes to Kirk’s impact on political discourse and youth engagement.

Speakers at the event emphasized unity and condemned political violence. “Political violence is not the answer,” echoed multiple voices throughout the evening, including Rep. 

Kent Marmon of Caldwell, who urged for respectful dialogue across ideological divides.

Among the crowd was Aiden, a high school student and local TPUSA chapter leader, who expressed grief for friends who witnessed the shooting in Utah. “Charlie was a warrior for freedom,” said one speaker. “He inspired a generation to speak boldly and stand firm.”

The vigil served not only as a memorial but also as a call to continue Kirk’s mission of civic engagement and free speech. As candles flickered in the night, the message was clear: Charlie Kirk may be gone, but his influence endures.