The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has shaken his young supporters, but also strengthened their resolve to power a new wave of student activism, according to those who spoke to The Post.
For many in Gen Z, Kirk was more than a political figure. They credit him with making conservatism relevant, acceptable, interesting and “cool” to a their generation by engaging in respectful debates with people — whether they agreed with him or not.
Here they describe how Kirk affected them:
JT Marshburn, 19: Political Science student at the University of Georgia
“Charlie Kirk was the embodiment of the First Amendment,” said JT Marshburn, who is chairman of his College Republican National Committee.
“He stood up for what we believe in as conservatives, and ultimately he was assassinated doing what he loved — sticking up for what’s right and expanding free speech on campuses.”
Marshburn described Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA when he was just 19, as a “giant” who re-engaged young people by creating a space where they felt both heard and challenged.
“Gen Z is lonely, conflicted, confused … and he saw he could create a community among like-minded people,” he said. “He will forever be remembered as the bastion of free speech on campus.”
Conservatives “need to stand firm and strong in our commitment to our beliefs and values” in a bid to carry on Kirk’s message, Mashburn added.
“We’re not going to stop. We’re not going to stand in fear of what we believe in and we will keep moving the message forward, to grow the party among Gen-Z and get more people involved, even those who disagree with him,” he told The Post.
Ian Wait, 25: George Mason University graduate, Washington DC
Ian Wait told how Kirk stood out not just for the controversies he was caught up in via viral video clips, but mostly for his willingness to engage respectfully with a range of people.
“While his views were strong on the right, he was always willing to debate them and entertain other points of view,” Wait said. “He was an effective communicator who understood values, made them entertaining, and came across as authentic. That broke through something older conservatives never could.”
Wait said Kirk was willing to have a respectful dialogue with anybody and “there’s now a realisation that’s more important than ever,” he told The Post.
“No one wants to live in a society where they can be gunned down for their beliefs.”
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA was shot and killed while on stage during an event at Utah Valley University during his American Comeback Tour on Wednesday.
“We have a system in place to change the government if you want to and that’s built on freedom of speech, religion and the constitution,” Wait continued.
“That’s worth fighting for but it requires us to demonstrate courage like Charlie Kirk did – or live in madness.”
Naomi Speakman, 19: Law and political science student at Thomas More University, Kentucky
Naomi Speakman said watching Kirk debate students was a “pivotal moment” in her political awakening.
“He made me feel my young voice was relevant to conservatives and the Republican Party,” she said. “It was impactful because for a long time we didn’t hear people say, ‘Stand up for what you believe in.’ Now so many conservatives on campus are asking, ‘How can I make my voice heard like Charlie Kirk did?’ ”
All of the students who spoke to The Post said they expected Kirk’s legacy to be profound.
“People are just fed up with everything and seeing him killed was like watching a string snap,” Speakman told The Post.
“[Conservatives] are done with it and can’t be quiet anymore, even if something happens to us. Now is the time to do it. We’re more riled up, not discouraged.”
22-year-old former student at Utah Valley University student Tyler Robinson confessed to the shooting Friday, after being handed to authorities by his cop father.
Alegria Silvi, 18:Political science and psychology student at Columbia University, New York
At Columbia University in New York, Kirk’s influence also ran deep among conservative students.
Alegria Silvi, 18, a freshman studying political science and psychology, said she attended one of Kirk’s campus tours and felt they gave young conservatives “permission to be more outspoken about our faith and personal responsibility — even if it wasn’t popular,” among other students.
“Speaking up can be very uncomfortable when people have different or opposing beliefs. For me, a lot of his talks on campuses made me feel more comfortable being more open within political discourse without being difficult or having outright arguments.
Silvi sad she fely it was Kirk’s “openness and courage” which inpired his following and the way he was always “very open and approachable” to everyone he met.
Christina Ma, 20: English and philosophy student at Columbia University, New York
Christina Ma, 20, is Vice President of Columbia University Republicans and says Kirk’s approach was particularly transformative.
“He showed that when you stop talking, you start dehumanizing each other — and what has happened to him is a manifestation of that,” Ma said.
“I really hope this is a wake-up call that we need to start talking to each other more than ever.”
“He inspired me to participate in bipartisan dialogue.
Kirk was remembered by Turning Point USA as “America’s greatest martyr,” who sacrificed his own safety to reach as many young people as he possibly could.
“Through discourse we can change the culture where we are allowing people to villainize each other in such a way that it inspires assassination attempts.
“I really do think this will become a turning point, and that’s ironic given Turning Point USA is the name of the organization Kirk founded.
“More than anyone, Charlie believed in the power of argument and good-faith debate to find the truth and guide people towards, if not agreement, then at least mutual understanding.”
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