- Hundreds gathered on the steps of the Michigan Capitol to rally after last week’s slaying of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
- Republican speakers at the event urge attendees to continue Kirk’s work
- Michigan leaders have universally condemned political violence. Several Democrats have reported threats after the slaying
Hundreds of supporters of slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk gathered outside the Michigan Capitol Monday, both to remember the popular MAGA movement figurehead and to rally around a “call to action.”
The event came amid a fragile political moment, with assassination of the prominent Republican leader prompting widespread condemnation but giving way to threats against some Michigan Democrats.
Speakers at the faith-tinged event urged attendees to continue Kirk’s work and conservative activism. The crowd was peppered with signs and T-shirts containing slogans like “we are all Charlie Kirk now” and “I am Charlie Kirk.”
Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad, a state senator from White Lake, called the ongoing fight for the country’s future “a fierce contest of ideas — and one that must be fought peacefully but relentlessly in our schools, our communities, our courts and at the ballot box.”
“Charlie understood all of that,” Runestad said.
Runestad called for unity and condemned political violence writ large. But he also argued Kirk’s death was evidence that “relentless attacks against conservatives” are having real-world consequences.
Kirk, 31, was assassinated last week during a college campus event in Utah. The suspected shooter is in custody.
Ben Stout, a 33-year-old youth pastor from Lakeview who attended Monday’s rally at the Michigan Capitol, said Kirk’s death pushed him to “use my heart for evangelism” and promote his Christian faith. He said more people came to his evangelical church in the aftermath of Kirk’s slaying.
“I think the way (Kirk) was willing to have patience for all these people that had different political views … that’s what drew me to him,” Stout said, noting he wants to see more religion in classrooms, arguing “secularism is a failed experiment.”
Kirk was a key ally of President Donald Trump. The organization he founded, Turning Point USA, worked to engage youth voters and organized field operations in battleground states to help Trump win in 2024.
“It’s time to make ourselves heard,” MSU College Republicans Chair Aleks Evans said, urging students to be vocal about their conservative views on college campuses. He said “hundreds” of students had turned out for a campus candlelight vigil after the shooting. “Now is the time for my generation to finish the work of Charlie Kirk.”
Condemnation of political violence from Michigan elected officials in the hours following Kirk’s killing was universal.
In a statement at the time, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she was thinking of Kirk’s family and added, “We should all come together to stand up against any and all forms of political violence. It’s unacceptable.”
Despite the condemnations, there were multiple threats of political violence in Michigan in the days following Kirk’s death.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist faced a bomb threat at his Detroit home, as did state Sen. Jeremy Moss. Two House Democrats said they faced death threats after a misleading social media post suggested they refused to join a prayer for Kirk.
“In the face of political violence, we must choose respect and understanding,” Whitmer, a Democrat, said Monday on social media. “We cannot afford to give up on each other. Not now, not ever.
Related:
- Michigan politicians say they face growing threats after Charlie Kirk shooting
- ‘Credible bomb threat’ cleared from Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist’s home
- Charlie Kirk assassination denounced by Gretchen Whitmer, other targets of political violence
Kirk supporters have in recent days publicly criticized individuals and organizations who reacted to the events with little sympathy or insufficient recognition.
Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, has singled out a high school teacher he said has “no business teaching our kids” and suggested Central Michigan University’s funding could be jeopardized over the statements of a professor at the school, among other things.
In Portage, a worker at Office Depot was reportedly fired for refusing to print flyers for a Kirk vigil. The Detroit Lions also drew some consternation from Kirk’s followers for not holding a moment of silence ahead of their game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
At times, Monday’s rally for Kirk took on an existential tone, with speakers casting conservatives as part of a besieged movement.
“No more is this a battle between partisan lines,” said Michigan College Republicans Chair Tyler Campbell. “This is a battle between good and evil.”
Alex Bitzan, the student leader of Michigan State University’s Turning Point USA chapter, said “a significant portion of our country” hated Kirk, and he told fellow supporters “they hate you simply for daring to disagree with them.”
Law enforcement officials have not addressed questions about the suspected killer’s political ideology or alleged motivation behind the crime, but Rep. Josh Schriver, a Republican from Oxford, said Monday that “our government must dissolve antifa” despite no evidence linking the group to Kirk’s killing.
Rep. Mike Hoadley, a Republican from Au Gres, devoted his Capitol rally speech to describing “what the left has done to society,” arguing liberals have made society godless, more violent and resistant toward freedom.
At times, the event turned into a true political rally with speakers highlighting next year’s midterm election that will decide Michigan’s next governor, US Senator, congressional delegation and state Legislature.
“2024 was a turning point for our country, but 2026 will be a turning point for the state of Michigan,” Michigan Republican Party youth vice chair Krish Mathrani said to loud applause.
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