Utah Valley University Students Rally Against Proposed Charlie Kirk Memorial

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In Orem, Utah, a recent protest unfolded at Utah Valley University, orchestrated by the Student Democratic Society. The demonstration arose in response to plans for a memorial honoring Charlie Kirk, who tragically lost his life during a speaking engagement at the university on September 10.

UVU’s decision to erect a memorial for the conservative figure came soon after his untimely death on campus. To ensure the memorial’s meaningful creation, the university has established a committee. This group includes representatives from UVU, the Utah Board of Higher Education, the student body, political figures, and other invested parties, reflecting a diverse array of perspectives.

Amidst this backdrop, Savannah Chrisley voiced her concerns over the university’s handling of the tribute to Kirk, highlighting the tensions surrounding the memorial’s establishment.

During the protest, UVU student Levi Colby shared his sentiments with Nexstar’s KTVX, expressing the collective desire for peace and harmony. “Kirk’s murder was a tragedy, and our hope is to foster unity on campus,” Colby stated. “Violence has no place at UVU. I believe I speak for the entire student body when I say we reject violence and instead aspire for unity, kindness, and friendship. We aim to support one another in this community.”

At the same time, Colby feels like Kirk is not the kind of figure that should be permanently remembered on the UVU campus.

“The worry with this memorial that they’re planning on putting up, or creating a planning committee, at least, to potentially put up, is that it’s celebrating Charlie Kirk and not celebrating unity. We want to celebrate unity. We want to celebrate students coming together in a time of tragedy. We don’t want to celebrate, frankly, a very racist, bigoted man,” Colby said.

Colby said that the students protesting do not want a memorial in Kirk’s likeness, but they are open to a memorial that celebrates the way the student body came together following Kirk’s murder.

“A memorial for Charlie Kirk, I think, would be a memorial for hatred,” Colby concluded.

When the plan for the memorial was announced, there were competing petitions about the memorial one in support, which now has over 21,000 signatures, and one opposing, which currently has over 15,000 signatures.

Those in support of the memorial cited a need for healing and reconciliation following the “politically motivated” killing of Kirk, according to the petition, and said that the memorial will be a reminder of the “importance of open dialogue and peaceful discourse” in the community.

The petition against the memorial states that Kirk was known for his “divisive rhetoric” and that his organization, Turning Point USA, has been criticized for promoting messages that “some consider homophobic, transphobic, and racist.”

“UVU prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive institution that fosters an environment of learning and growth for all students, regardless of their background. Erecting a memorial for Charlie Kirk would undermine these core values and might alienate students who represent different political, racial, and cultural backgrounds,” the petition reads.