TEMPE — As thousands of mourners walked into Desert Financial Arena on Monday evening for a candlelight vigil in memory of conservative figure and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, many stopped to graze their fingers on a wooden cross standing nearly 10 feet off the pavement. It was propped up by Dan Beazley, a Kirk supporter who said he was “looking to shine a light in the darkness.”

Beazley’s cross was so large that he wasn’t allowed in the venue, but that didn’t stop him from standing outside for over four hours under a scorching Tempe sun to honor the activist who was assassinated Sept. 10 while fielding questions from college students at an event in Utah.

“Why bring a small one? Charlie loved the cross, and that’s what his whole life was about,” Beazley said. “If you’re going to do it, do it right and bring a life-sized one.”
That sentiment was repeated over and over by speakers reflecting on Kirk’s violent death.

“We felt sadness, we felt anger,” College Republicans at Arizona State University President Troy Holderby said. “God himself had righteous anger, and we have to turn that anger into action.”

One after another, they praised Kirk at the event, hosted by Turning Point USA and ASU Republican student organizations, as they read passages from the Bible and called the crowd into action. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdan.beazley.3%2Fvideos%2F1611112660273465%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=0

Inside the arena, more supporters decked out in red MAGA hats and paraphernalia filled every seat in the lower bowl on the northern section. Many attendees wore shirts that read “I am Charlie” across their chests, and people of all ages brought small candles to commemorate Kirk.

“This is the moment each of us has to decide whether or not we’re going to fight,” said Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point USA CEO. “If this crazy leftist radicalization is happening in Utah, it’s happening everywhere. This isn’t a both-sides problem; this is very clearly a one-sided problem.”

Bowyer wasn’t the only one to invoke “us versus them” rhetoric, calling on audience members to carry Kirk’s torch. Conservative political activist Jack Posobiec echoed the passion of many speakers at the event.

“As long as there is blood in my veins and air in my lungs,” he said, “I will make sure the radical left, the media, and the Democrats will never forget the name Charlie Kirk.”

On the concourse of the north side entrance, Turning Point Action set up booths where attendees could grab pins reading “I heart Charlie” and political pamphlets.

Republican and 2020 Phoenix mayoral candidate Merissa Hamilton volunteered at a voter registration booth from Turning Point Action to encourage civic participation.

“So just at our table alone, we’ve had dozens of people come and register,” Hamilton said. “I’m sure other tables have had the same experience, and there were also people outside registering.”

Kirk raised money and influenced young voters. He amassed over 1 million followers across multiple social media platforms and gained millions more since his death. Turning Point USA has over 800 college chapters.

“Charlie was a force to be reckoned with when it comes to getting young people involved,” Hamilton said. “Because whether or not people loved him or he irked them, they wanted to do something.”

Beazley, who brought the cross, was one of many mourners who said they believe Kirk’s message will live on. He said Kirk applied the gospel to everyday life.

“Not everybody agreed,” Beazley said. “But not everybody agreed with Jesus either.”

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