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A large crowd gathered outside the Manitoba Legislative Building Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil honouring Charlie Kirk, the American evangelical activist and conservative commentator who was assassinated last week during a campus event in Utah.
The vigil began just after 7:30 p.m., with organizer Patrick Allard opening the event by telling attendees, “Feels like a lot of love is in the air.” Allard ran as an independent candidate in the 2023 Manitoba provincial election and was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates.
Many speakers reflected on their Christian faith, shared views on public morality, and spoke about Kirk’s influence on politically engaged conservative evangelicals.
Kirk remembered as a martyr by speakers
Collin Watson, who ran as a People’s Party of Canada candidate in this year’s federal election, opened the event in prayer, referring to Kirk as a martyr who was “taken while spreading the Word of God.”
Watson also prayed for Kirk’s widow and two young children, as well as for those “filled with hate and anger,” citing heightened political tensions. He read from Luke 6:22, a passage referencing those who suffer persecution for their beliefs.
Kirk, 31, was killed Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. He often shared his views on faith and other conservative outlooks while debating students.
Just before the shooting, an audience member asked Kirk a series of questions about mass shootings in the U.S. The exchange ended abruptly when a shot rang out following Kirk’s response to a question about gun violence.
Authorities say the bullet came from a rooftop roughly 200 metres away. A 22-year-old suspect, Tyler James Robinson, has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder and other offences. U.S. prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty.
Calls for faith, reflection
Another speaker at the vigil, introduced only as Samantha, encouraged attendees to engage with people they disagree with and consider broader context when judging public figures. She said Kirk was frequently misquoted or reduced to soundbites, and concluded her remarks with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
Pastor John Feakes of New Life Sanctuary told the crowd: “You who are gathered here today are God’s agents of encouragement and courage.” He described Kirk’s death as having “unleashed a wave of goodness,” adding that some were drawing closer to faith in its aftermath.
The vigil concluded with a prayer from Pastor Gilbert Plante, also of New Life Sanctuary. He read from 1 Corinthians 13 and encouraged those in attendance to pray not only for Kirk’s family, but also for political leaders and their own communities.
Kirk’s death continues to draw strong response
Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA and led its faith-based division, TPUSA Faith. He was a prominent figure in American conservative Christian circles, known for advocating Christian values in public life. His messaging, however, was often polarizing.
Supporters praised his boldness and conviction, while critics, including many fellow Christians, argued his rhetoric was divisive and inconsistent with biblical teachings.
Although many who gathered Tuesday described Kirk as a martyr and spiritual leader, broader responses to his legacy have been mixed. No counter-protests or disruptions were observed during the Winnipeg vigil.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two children.