Candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk held in Twentynine Palms

As a dazzling desert sunset broke across the sky, a crowd gathered on ball field #4 in Twentynine Palms’ Luckie Park last evening to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down on September 10 while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Attendees were provided with candles, small American flags, and the opportunity to sign one of three large condolence cards that will be sent to Turning Point USA, a conservative organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, co-founded by Kirk. A crowd of roughly 80-100 people came bearing chairs, blankets, snacks, and heavy hearts to sing, listen, and pray together.

Vigil organizer Jasmine Parker was moved to create a local event on the same date as Kirk’s large memorial service in Glendale, Arizona.

“I saw that nobody was really doing anything, and I saw some stuff online too that people were asking, ‘Is there any vigil going on here?’ so instead of waiting around I just decided to get it going. And then when I posted it and kind of talked to the city a little bit and then Set Free Church reached out to us and they’ve been a big help, big support so it just kind of took off from there.

When asked what moved Parker to honor Kirk, she shared thoughts as her wife, April Sickles, also chimed in: “Well, it was just really sad. I saw a video online and I liked the guy. I enjoyed watching him speak. I Iike that he got out there and debated and the video was very traumatizing. I didn’t want to see that on social media.”

“And we knew that he didn’t agree with our lifestyle,” said Sickles, “but I feel like he would’ve talked to us. I think we would have still been able to engage in conversation and I think that’s the most important thing.”

Parker added, “And people say he was hateful and racist and homophobic. I never felt that way from him. I felt like he was very open to speaking with anybody. It was sad and I felt really sad for his family. I just felt like our hearts just felt led to do it so I don’t know if that was from the Lord, or what?”

As the event began, a recording of Kirk’s voice came through the speakers in a montage of various speeches:

“What young people especially are screaming at is they say, ‘Give me a structure that I can live my life by.’ … I have this idea to galvanize and motivate the future youth of this country. … This is the greatest generational realignment since Woodstock … I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith.”

After thanking city leaders and the Set Free Church for helping arrange the event, Parker addressed the crowd:

“I want to thank Charlie for his sacrifice. It’s horrible. And I think those of us who have a heart and understand what that is, we’re real affected by this. I also want to say that my wife and I enjoyed watching Charlie. We felt very affected by his assassination. We wanted to honor him and pay tribute to the way he lived his life and so this is what we came up with.”

Several members of the Set Free Church in Wonder Valley were in attendance. Pastor Nick Foley addressed the crowd while others led attendees through song and prayer. “This is a place of peace,” said Foley. “This is a community coming together in the name of God and for peace and unity for our community and a visual for Charlie Kirk and his family.”

Foley invited attendees to share their feelings of grief and, as night fell over the gathering, a line formed at the microphone. One by one, people shared their thoughts on Kirk’s life, his untimely death, and their personal faith.

LeeAnn Clarke, secretary of the 29 Palms Ministerial Association, reminded attendees about the Mayor’s Prayer breakfast on Tuesday, September 23, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., at the Rasta Rita Cantina (73662 Homestead Dr, Twentynine Palms). Clarke also encouraged the crowd to attend city council meetings.

“It’s time for us to move forward as a Christian community. We also need to be present at these city council meetings. They are the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at city hall. Whether you have something to say or not, your presence is necessary in those meetings. Our mayor and our city council have asked for prayer because they are dealing with very serious and sometimes hostile topics. And so, we do need to be supportive.” She then thanked the president of the 29 Palms Ministerial Association, McArthur Wright, who also sits on the council, representing District 5.

Parker, in her remarks, shared a bible scripture from Psalm 112:7, which she felt summed up Kirk’s spirit most accurately.

“’He will not be afraid of evil tidings. His heart is steadfast in trusting in the Lord,’” said Parker. “Charlie and his family lived this. He lived unafraid. And let us do the same. Thank you all again for coming out.”

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