On Thursday, Sept. 11, a crowd of about 150 people gathered in Plaza of the Americas to honor the life of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed on Wednesday at Utah Valley University.
The vigil was hosted by Turning Point UF, a chapter of the main organization Turning Point USA, which Kirk was the CEO and co-founder of.
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A picture of Charlie Kirk and his family sit in the center of the vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. In February of 2025, Kirk spoke to a crowd in the same spot. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Jennifer Friend, 58, stands on a bench to see over the crowd at the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Some attendees of the Charlie Kirk vigil hold up signs on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Attendees of the Charlie Kirk vigil listen to speeches and worship songs on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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People from the crowd are invited to talk at the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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A letter dedicated to Charlie Kirk rests by a University of Florida gator statue on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Police lights illuminate the crowd at the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Two attendees of the Charlie Kirk vigil echo their thoughts through shirts on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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A few attendees of the Charlie Kirk vigil use signs to express their thoughts on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Emotions are high during the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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A Turning Point USA hat hangs below the crowd at the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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A group of people embrace at the Charlie Kirk vigil while worship songs play on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Elijah, just over 1 year old, attends the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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An attendee of the Charlie Kirk vigil dries their eyes following a worship song on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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An attendee of the Charlie Kirk vigil holds her cross necklace on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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A “Make America Great Again” hat sits on a bench outside of the crowd at the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Several police officers surround the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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Several police cars surround the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at the Plaza of the Americas in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
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The University of Florida bell tower is illuminated in red and blue lights during the Charlie Kirk vigil on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (Madilyn Gemme/WUFT News)
Madilyn Gemme
