ASHLAND — Dozens gathered at Corner Park in Ashland on Tuesday to honor Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was assassinated a month ago.
Deb Wertz, a Milton Township trustee, said she hoped the event would lead to inspiring people to stand up for what they believe. She also hoped it would encourage people to believe in Jesus as their savior — like Kirk did.
“Because without (Jesus), there is no future,” she said. “We need to start standing up for what we believe in, in a nonviolent, peaceful way.”
Wertz serves as the leader of a group called Liberty Bells of Ohio. She said she hopes the new group organizes more events like Tuesday’s.
Who was Kirk?
The gathering fell on a National Day of Remembrance that coincides with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. Both congressional chambers approved resolutions shortly after Kirk’s death to make Oct. 14 a National Day of Remembrance.
Kirk was killed by a gunman on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, a non-profit organization that advocates for conservative politics on high school and college campuses.
Kirk said he rooted his political beliefs in his Christian faith. He hosted a daily podcast and garnered a following of millions on social media. He debated controversial topics in front of crowds, often at colleges.
He was a close ally to President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump himself referred to Kirk as a friend and a “second son,” and spoke at Kirk’s funeral on Sept. 21 in Glendale, Arizona.Â
Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Tuesday — just moments into the event in Ashland.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested in connection to Kirk’s assassination. He’s been charged with aggravated murder, among other related felonies. Local prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.Â
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‘Seek peace and pursue it’
Wertz estimated more than 100 people attended Tuesday’s event in Corner Park. Many of them wore shirts and hats emblazoned with Kirk’s signature “Freedom.” Dianne Nelson, an Ashland resident, placed “We Are Charlie Kirk” yard signs throughout Corner Park.
Several figures spoke during the hour-long event, including Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider; pastor Mark Abel; Lifewise regional director Buddy Workman; John Keim, leader of Ashland University’s effort to establish a local Turning Point chapter; and Neal Durfey, Sullivan Township trustee and CEO of Humble Haven Farm.Â
Organizers also played a song entitled “How Dare They” by Diesel.
Abel shared a passage from the Bible, 1 Peter 3:11, which states “they must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
The pastor said Kirk embodied the passage.
Other speakers said they admired Kirk’s ability to quickly and accurately debate hot topics, such as gay rights, abortion and immigration.
“He was so quick and so smart,” said Durfey.
Durfey, however, said he was more impressed by Kirk’s faith, which he characterized as steadfast that often led to compassion for the people he debated.Â
Ultimately, Durfey said, he hopes that is Kirk’s lasting legacy: his unwavering Christian faith.