On Thursday, September 18 at 4:30 p.m., 53 Stockton students, faculty, and affiliates gathered in West Quad for a candlelight vigil honoring Turning Point USA founder and political activist, Charlie Kirk, after his fatal shooting on September 10.

Event organizers distributed candles before screening a video released by Turning Point USA the day after Kirk’s death. The Newman Club’s chaplain and keynote speaker, Father Christopher Bakey, then opened with a prayer. Student activists followed with remarks reflecting on Kirk’s impact.

In response to threats of disruption, a fire Marshall and at least eight officers were present. A sophomore Africana Studies major remarked, “This is about remembering and upholding his ideals, not talking about gun violence, not talking about political violence.”

In an interview following the event, Bakey, stated, “I think it’s great [demonstrators] came.” He encourages students interested in further discourse to contact him via Catholic Campus Ministry affiliate, Britany Shields, with further questions.

Stockton Republicans’ President, Sydney Nelson, invites students to attend their first debate night on October 2, adding, “My goal as president is to do collaborative events with the Republicans and the Democrats […] I encourage people to join both clubs and I want them to hear both sides and I want everyone to make decisions for themselves.”

The entirety of the vigil was live-streamed, and the archived video can be accessed here; although, the live chat replay was turned off.

On Thursdays, the Stockton Republicans and the Stockton Democrats hold meetings in C135 and F119, respectively.