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FORT COLLINS, Colo. (KDVR) — The Turning Point USA student chapter at Colorado State University has planned a vigil for CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk on Thursday, the same day he was expected to visit campus before he was shot and killed last week.
Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University, which was Turning Point USA’s “The American Comeback Tour” first stop. The university was scheduled to be the second tour stop, with Kirk on Sept. 18.
“We have been coordinating with local, state and national law enforcement agencies,” said Kyle Henley, vice president of marketing and communications at CSU. “So we will have increased security presence across campus and at the venue.”
After the shooting, the student organization and other non-student groups have been planning a vigil or memorials for Kirk. With safety in mind, CSU officials started discussing a place on campus with heightened security.
CSU is not affiliated with or organizing the event; however, they had offered better security options.
“We wanted to make sure the safety of our students and our community was a top priority and this was an opportunity for us to reach out the organizers to offer venues we could have the highest level of security possible,” Henley said.
The vigil will be held at CSU’s Canvas Stadium. With anticipation of a larger turnout between both students and community members, but those attending are asked to treat it like “a football game” when it comes to security.
“You will need a clear bag to enter the building and we will also have magnetometers you have to go through those as well,” Hanley said.
Hanley also noted that for people who aren’t used to coming to the stadium, they will have lockers set up for people to place their things during the vigil.
One student FOX31 spoke with, who is planning on attending the vigil, said it brings him peace of mind knowing there will be increased security.
“When Charlie Kirk was assassinated there didn’t seem to be much security around him so I think it’s a good idea to have extra security,” said Landon Vela, a freshman at CSU.
Hanley also told FOX31 that as a public institution, CSU has requirements they have to uphold.
“We are required to operate and honor the First Amendment of the Constitution so we are required to offer a venue for the freedom of speech,” Hanley said. “Sometimes that means some folks may not be comfortable with or don’t like it but we don’t have a choice.”
The gates for the Kirk vigil will open at 5 p.m., then the vigil will be from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
The Political Review and the CSU student chapter of the organization are hosting another event with the tagline “For free speech. Against political violence.” That will also be held on Thursday at CSU’s Lory Student Center Ballroom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Hanley said the organization has a message for people attending the vigil.
“Be safe, be respectful and exercise your right to free speech,” Hanley said.
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Courtney Fromm
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