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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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A memorial marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk at the school where he was killed has sparked opposition, with students organizing a protest against the event.
Turning Point USA, the conservative organization that Kirk co-founded, is holding an event called "Freedom Built to Last Memorial" at the UCCU Center on the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10. Kirk was fatally shot as he spoke to a crowd of thousands at the university on September 10 last year.
But the event has sparked an outcry, with the university's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, along with other groups, such as the Community Defense Club of UVU and The Black Menaces, organizing a protest outside the venue for when the event is set to take place.
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In a post on Instagram shared over the weekend, the group accused the university of shutting down the campus to accommodate the event and endorsing the views of Kirk and Turning Point USA.
"The UVU administration has closed campus that day, and has endorsed this event, which is an endorsement of the views of Turning Point and Charlie Kirk," the post said.
"We will not stand for this, and we invite anyone who can attend to join us in solidarity to protest TPUSA, UVU Admin, and the Utah County Commissioners."
However, the university's official statement regarding the campus closure stated that operations would be closed to provide time and space for reflection and healing, rather than as an endorsement of the event.
"I hope this is a day for each of us to engage in healing or reflection on our own terms. For anyone needing assistance, please access the resources available to UVU students, faculty, and staff," UVU president Jon Anderson said in a Friday email to students, faculty and staff
An August 7 email from UVU's interim president Wayne Vaught, which Newsweek reviewed, had informed staff and students the campus would be closed on September 10.
"Healing continues in different ways for each member of our university community as we approach September 10, the one-year anniversary of the tragic events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death," the email said. "To provide time and space for reflection, service, and connection, UVU will close operations that day (employees will receive regular pay for this closure)."
Newsweek has contacted UVU and Turning Point USA for comment via emails sent outside regular business hours. The UVU chapter of Students for a Democratic Society has been contacted via Instagram.
Kirk was a prominent conservative activist, podcaster and ally of President Donald Trump. Kirk was known for his provocative statements on race. He expressed culturally conservative views, including on gun rights, immigration, transgender rights and abortion. Turning Point USA, which Kirk co-founded when he was 18, was focused on spreading conservative views on college campuses.
Last week, a judge ruled that Tyler Robinson will stand trial in the killing of Kirk. Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during the hearing last week.
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Student Group Circulates Open Letter
The SDS chapter at UVU has also been collecting signatures on an open letter addressed to the university’s administration seeking to have Turning Point USA’s memorial event on the campus canceled.
"We, students of UVU, strongly condemn the decision to hand over our campus to TPUSA on September 10. As we approach the anniversary of this tragic event, it should be made clear that many of us will be further negatively affected by allowing TPUSA to occupy our campus on that day," the letter says.
It also accused UVU president Jon Anderson of aligning himself with the interests of Turning Point USA, which it describes as "openly racist and antagonistic."
"We emphasize that closing campus and proudly hosting a TPUSA event, which will no doubt serve to honor Charlie Kirk and promote his politics, is not in line with an atmosphere of ‘care and consideration,’" the letter adds.
"We call for Utah Valley University to stand with the students against hatred and divisiveness. This is our campus, this is your campus. In order for UVU to be ‘a place for you,’ we need to come together as a community and protect those who are marginalized by what Charlie Kirk perpetuated, and from what TPUSA continues to perpetuate."
The letter demands that the university revoke Turning Point USA’s permission to use the UCCU Center for events and that it be barred from having an event on the campus on Thursday.
According to the group’s Instagram post, the open letter had garnered hundreds of signatures, including from at least 483 students.
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TPUSA Says Event Will Honor Kirk's Legacy
Turning Point USA has framed the event as both a memorial and a call for supporters to continue Kirk's work.
The event will honor Kirk as "a faith-filled husband, father, and defender of free speech with a memorial that serves as a deliberate act of remembrance and a call for students and supporters to continue his life’s work," Turning Point USA wrote in a post on its website about the event.
Speakers at the event will include conservative radio host Glenn Beck and Christian author Frank Turek, according to the page.
The event is set to be livestreamed on YouTube, X, Facebook and Rumble.
Extensive Security Measures in Place
Significant security measures have been outlined for attendees of the event on the UCCU Center’s website.
According to the guidance, tickets are required for entry and attendees will be subjected to security checks.
Metal detectors will be in use, and attendees should prepare to "clear security and have any permissible items searched prior to entry." Attendees are also advised to arrive early to find parking, clear security and find their seat.
The UCCU Center has also imposed restrictions on items that may be brought inside for the events.
Only one small clutch bag per person will be permitted, while medically necessary bags will be permitted after inspection.
Balloons, banners, signs, drones, noisemakers, cameras and recording equipment are among the items that will be prohibited.
Any face coverings that conceal more than the mouth and nose will also be prohibited.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and James Debens
Update, 09/09/26 12:18 p.m. ET: this article was updated with further information.
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