Previously Published in The Messenger
By Matt Meduri
Last week saw perhaps one of the most historic events of the century, the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The conservative activist was just 31 when he was shot and killed in Utah while conducting his trademark “Prove Me Wrong” series in which he invited and promoted open political debate and discourse on college campuses through his organization Turning Point USA.
Kirk founded Turning Point at the age of 18 in his garage, steadily growing it into a massive movement that spans nearly 2,000 college and high school campuses nationwide and himself into an avatar not just for young conservatives, but for Christian ideals as well.
Kirk’s movement is credited with reshaping the Republican Party into a populist movement and has been deemed influential to the 2016 and 2024 elections of President Donald Trump (R-FL).
The Long Island Loud Majority (LILM) held a candlelight vigil for Kirk on Saturday night at the LIRR Station in Seaford, where at least several thousand attendees descended on the parking lot to pay their respects and pray for the nation.
An opening prayer was given by Susan Weingarten of the Huntington Northport Smithtown Patriots, while attendees held photos of Kirk, signs with Bible verses, and solemn, yet determined, expressions.
“Charlie Kirk was a man of God. He loved his family, our country, engaging with young people all across our great nation and challenging them on their ideals,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville). “He would allow the people who disagreed with him to come to the front of the line to express their views, and he would have a peaceful exchange back and forth with young people all across our great country.”
LaLota said that “political violence is meant to quiet our voices”, but noted the stark contrast in how conservatives are handling such a tragedy.
“We’re not rioting in the streets. We’re not burning things down. Your peaceful presence here today gives Long Island and our great nation an inspiration that while Charlie Kirk may not be of this world anymore, that his spirit carries on in each and every one of us here,” said LaLota.
LaLota asked attendees to pray for the United States, “keep the faith, and be peaceful.”
Former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) took the microphone after LaLota.
“What I love about the legacy of Charlie Kirk is that he embraced the youth of this nation. Unfortunately, college campuses throughout this nation have become petri dishes of hate,” said D’Esposito. “But Charlie Kirk made it his mission to march into the lion’s den and to embrace the young men and women of this nation. Very often, that generation is criticized for living their life in their phone and their tablet by only communicating by text message and emojis. He went to college campuses and he made American youth talk again.”
D’Esposito added that Kirk made the youth talk about “things that matter”, but did so peacefully.
“He always brought the people who disagreed with him most to the front because he wanted to answer their questions,” said D’Esposito. “Someone tried to silence that voice, but little do they know the wildfire that they have started. Continue to share the message of Charlie Kirk and continue always to be a proud, proud, proud American.”
State Senator Steve Rhoads (R-Bellmore) (pictured below) spoke of Kirk not only as an “unapologetic American”, but as “unapologetically religious.”
“There is a power, confidence, and a peace that comes from the knowledge that we are here for a greater purpose,” said Rhoads. “That we are here to serve something and someone greater than ourselves. While the left may take shots at us and try to silence us, we know that we cannot be silenced.”
Rhoads added that Kirk was “about empowering people, letting people know that you have a role to play, that you have a voice that needs to be heard, that liberty, freedom, and good in the world needs to be defended from evil.”
Rhoads shared an anecdote that he learned in his first-grade catechism class, wherein an old man walks down a beach littered with starfish and notices a boy throwing them one by one into the ocean. The old man says that just one little boy cannot make a difference, but the boy replies, “I made a difference to that one.”
“The power of individuals together in a group – that movement is all of us,” said Rhoads. “Let’s gather up those starfish. Let’s join together and save this country and restore decency to our conversations.”
Kevin Smith, co-founder and president of LILM (pictured below), said that he had met Kirk in Tampa, Florida, just two months ago. Smith was asked by Kirk to be an ambassador for Turning Point.
“It was one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Smith. “He knew what was happening out here in our little corner of the world.”
Smith spoke directly to the young people in attendance specifically, telling them, “It’s up to you to preserve the values that came before you. If you want to honor Charlie Kirk and keep his memory alive, get involved.”
Smith said that he, elected officials, and other activists who host forums and rallies are regularly afraid of violence, but that they won’t cave.
“They want us afraid. That want us quiet. They want us in fear. And all of you coming out tonight are telling them that you will not stop, that you cannot stop,” said Smith, adding that Kirk’s influence and intellect likely would have resulted in his candidacy for president at some point.
Smith then announced the launching of the Long Island Young Republican Club, open to high school and college students, as well as adults in their twenties and thirties.
“You may have killed the messenger, but you will never kill the message,” said Smith.
Thousands of candles, cell phone lights, and American flags then lit up the Seaford LIRR parking lot, followed by a crowd rendition of “Amazing Grace.”