Rain fell on the Capitol steps Tuesday morning as about 300 people gathered on the day that would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday. This comes one month after the conservative founder of Turning Point USA was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Kirk became one of the most polarizing voices in the youth conservative movement. His organization, Turning Point, started as a campus outreach effort and grew into a national network known for viral confrontations with liberal students and for spreading claims about election fraud and support for President Donald Trump.
His supporters saw him as a bold defender of free speech and Christian faith, but his critics accused him of amplifying extremism and misinformation.
The memorial drew attendees from across Northern California. Many of those who showed up followed a caravan that began at a Rocklin Harley-Davidson dealership.
A few weeks after Kirk’s death, Congress approved a resolution making Oct. 14 a national day of remembrance for Kirk. For supporters, the morning served as both a eulogy and a message to continue organizing.
Vehicles in a caravan from Rocklin approach downtown Sacramento carrying American flags and banners honoring Charlie Kirk ahead of Tuesday’s Capitol memorial on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.Greg Micek/CapRadio
A blend of politics, prayer
Live gospel music played as people waved American flags and sang together in harmony. Some described the gathering as a show of faith. Others called it a protest against what they viewed as growing hostility toward conservatives.
Justin Montgomery, president of the motorcycle club Born to Ride for 45, said the event was meant to counter what he sees as widespread misconceptions about Kirk’s message.
“They misunderstand what he said, calling him a racist, calling him … against foreigners,” Montgomery said. “It’s not who he was. He was a minister first … not a politician. The man was out there to teach people how to love God and how to love your life and your families and your relationships.”
A booth for Turning Point USA stood beside the main stage, where volunteers distributed stickers and flyers. When asked about the memorial, representatives from Turning Point’s student chapters said they were unable to speak to the media.
One attendee described Kirk’s influence as both political and spiritual. Sabrina Williams, one of the event’s planners, said his death inspired some followers to reexamine their faith.
Supporters gather in front of the California Capitol under umbrellas during a memorial for Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.Greg Micek/CapRadio
“Since Charlie’s passing, the amount of people that have come to Jesus … people are looking for community,” Williams said. “He stood on truth and he stood on Jesus.”
Among the speakers was Assemblymember Josh Hoover, a Republican from Folsom who knew and worked with Charlie Kirk before his death. Hoover said he saw the gathering as a moment to reflect, not retaliate. He was the only politician to speak at the event.
“He did not want things to fall into political violence,” he said. “He believed in talking and having the conversation. We need more of that right now.”
Assemblymember Josh Hoover, R-Folsom, speaks at a Capitol event marking what would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.Tony Rodriguez/CapRadio
He added that Kirk’s death should serve as a reminder that disagreement doesn’t have to lead to political violence. He pointed to attempts to assassinate President Donald Trump and other attempts on two Minnesota lawmakers this year, one of whom was killed, along with her husband.
“It’s really easy to be angry, it’s really easy to want to seek revenge,” Hoover said. “But I think if Charlie were here, he would say those are not the answers. Being able to live with one another in harmony is more important.”
Remembering his movement
Several speakers framed Kirk’s influence as larger than politics. Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, said the turnout showed how deeply his message resonated with young conservatives.
“You saw after his death that these kind of events erupted organically,” Burt said. “Something about his death just struck people. The horror of it, somebody being shot simply because of what he was advocating for.”
Others urged attendees to focus less on outrage and more on what they described as open conversation. Boomer Benson, a close friend of Kirk’s, told the audience that the youth conservative movement will continue.
Benson said since Kirk’s death, he’s been asked to speak at events wanting to capitalize on his death. Benson called on supporters to continue what he described as Kirk’s push for dialogue.
“If you’re going to throw any type of event for Charlie Kirk, it should be for reasons beyond you,” he said. “Beyond money, beyond selling … It should be for reasons why he lived, which is provoking thought, engaging people in conversation.”
Many in the crowd wore Trump hats and jackets, some of which were embroidered with numbers such as “45,” “47,” and even “48,” referring to past and potential future presidencies. When asked about the crowd wearing mostly pro-Trump political clothing, Benson said it would have meant a lot to Kirk.
“It means a lot to him,” Benson said. “Wearing Donald Trump, wearing 45 and 47 and 48 too — which is interesting … It provokes them to stay motivated.”
The rally stretched into the afternoon with group prayer and even a cake celebration. Many lingered in small circles, holding wet flags and snapping photos near the stage.
Hoover said he expects Kirk’s influence to last long after the crowd goes home.
Greg Micek contributed reporting to this story.
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