Motorists had to park several blocks away on Sept. 14 if they arrived close to the noon start of the Sunday vigil and remembrance in Arlington Heights for Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA founder and president.
North School Park was filled with attendees who came to hear speakers honor Kirk.
Kirk, a conservative activist, was killed by an assassin’s bullet on Sept. 10 during a speaking appearance at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah.
Kirk was raised in Arlington Heights and was a 2012 graduate of Wheeling High School. Kirk was also a student from 2002 to 2005 at Christian Heritage Academy (315 Waukegan Road) in Northfield, confirmed a school spokesperson.
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Holding two handmade signs near the park’s water fountain was Joy Axelson of Northbrook, whose children attended Christian Heritage Academy.
Axelson taught at the academy in 1996 and 1997. “He (Charlie) was in eighth grade when my son was there in kindergarten,” Axelson said with a smile.
“Amazing Grace” was sung as a group by the large attendance. Prayers were also said aloud. People held flags and oversized crosses. Numerous pups were seen on leashes.
Organizing the vigil was Sofia Volpe of Arlington Heights, who attended Wheeling High School.
“We gather here today because Charlie was taken from us in an act of violence,” Volpe told the audience. “Violence not because of any crime, but because of his words.
“He was killed for expressing his First Amendment rights.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.