() Turning Point USA has resumed its nationwide college campus tour schedule following the death of conservative activist and co-founder Charlie Kirk two weeks ago. The first stop in “The American Comeback Tour” was at the University of Minnesota on Monday.

On Wednesday, the tour made a stop at Virginia Tech. Turning Point USA estimated a turnout of roughly 3,000 people. A number of high-profile conservatives are stepping in to fill Charlie Kirk’s spot during the tour. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and political commentator Megyn Kelly spoke at the Virginia Tech stop.

Kelly told ahead of the event that now is the time for conservatives to be “bold” and “unafraid.”

“The time to hold your conservative views inside and not tell anybody and hope you can skate by in a liberal world is over,” she continued.

‘You will be the next Charlie, all of you’: Youngkin

Youngkin encouraged students to follow in Kirk’s footsteps and embrace their faith while speaking to a crowd of students in his home state.

“The truth is that the question that has been asked over and over again is, ‘Who will be the next Charlie?’ And as I look out in this room and I see thousands of you, I want to repeat the best answer that I have heard. You will be the next Charlie, all of you.”

Youngkin also led attendees in a prayer, honoring Kirk and his family, saying “prayer is essential, absolutely essential to everything we do.”

“Father, we thank you for Charlie Kirk. We thank you for his life. We thank you for the way that he lived it,” he continued.

Kelly delivered a message of conservative pride, encouraged open dialogue across political parties and expressed newfound support for cancel culture while speaking at the event. She also answered a variety of questions from attendees.

“I’ve actually come around to the place where I love cancel culture. I actually think it separates a person from a place at which they did not belong. You know, you don’t get canceled from a company that shares your values,” she said.

Virginia Tech students express appreciation for the event

Some students at Virginia Tech tell they’re glad the campus decided to go ahead with the event.

“Whatever political side you’re on, I think this is an important part of history, especially being a Virginia Tech student,” said student John McGraw. “Virginia Tech allowing this event to be held is again, whether anyone’s political values, whether they’re left or right, it doesn’t matter. This is just American history, and that’s the most important thing.”

Some in attendance also noted a palpable increase in energy within the conservative movement in the aftermath of Kirk’s death. When asked about the rise in excitement, Luke Nuzzo, another Virginia Tech student, said: “Definitely a different energy, but I think it’s only gotten more electric. I think people have only gotten more passionate. And Charlie did that when he was alive but now that he’s gone, people are just more amped up to speak their own opinion and not be afraid and not back down.”

A campus spokesperson told that a comprehensive security plan was in place for the event. Bags and cameras were not allowed inside. Audience members were required to show identification that matched a ticket and pass through a security screening.

‘Nothing’s going to stop’: Turning Point USA COO

Officials with Turning Point USA told they’ve seen a surge in interest from students looking to start their own campus chapters.

Tyler Bowyer, the chief operating officer of Turning Point USA, told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” that since Kirk’s death, there’s been a “huge spike” in “people that want to get up off the couch and get involved.”

He added that chapter requests are arriving from both colleges and high schools, and Turning Point USA has “a request in from almost every high school operation in America.”

Bowyer also emphasized that it’s essential for students nationwide to understand that “nothing’s going to stop” in the wake of Kirk’s assassination.