POOLER, Ga. ()– Community members gathered at Tom Tripplet Park with American flags and candles, all to honor and remember Charlie Kirk.

Families brought lawn chairs to have a moment of remembrance for Kirk. Kirk was a political activist who was shot and killed while hosting a debate at Utah Valley University.

Organizers of the vigil told that events like these help them grieve.

“I think it’s just important for the community to come out and get together and have a time to grieve,” Founder of the National Grassroots Organization Holly Kesler said. “Charlie was really an inspiration to so many and just so powerful, even loving and what he did and how he communicated with people, even people he didn’t agree with. I think that’s something that’s very, very important for, you know, not just our country, but even locally.”

A pastor prayed over the group and individuals spoke out about how they felt Kirk impacted their lives. Participants said they were saddened by his passing but empowered to continue Kirk’s message and life’s work.

“I can go on and talk about Turning Point and talk about everything that he did. I think we’re all here together because we’re all grieving in the same way,” Kesler said.  “It’s important for us to talk about those sorts of things and talk about it with people that that share the same values and convictions and morals and that were affected by Charlie. I mean, Charlie touched a lot of people.”

Kesler said even though she has experienced a lot of positivity through these vigils, she has noticed a lot of negativity in regard to Kirk online.

“We’re all human, we all have feelings, Kesler said. “I’m not going to stop. I’m not going to sit down and be silenced or be scared to do anything. You know, there’s no reason for ugliness in the world. All that does is, you know, cause more division, more hate.”

The organizers said there will be more public vigils in the near future.