https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/the-violence-isnt-acceptable-pitt-students-hold-vigil-for-charlie-kirk/
'The violence isn't acceptable': Pitt students hold vigil for Charlie Kirk
About a year ago, conservative students at the University of Pittsburgh packed into a courtyard to hear the words of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
On Friday, the atmosphere was quieter, more solemn. Instead of debating politics, they joined in prayer, shared memories and reflected on the mark of their slain mentor.
Pitt College Republicans held a vigil outside of The William Penn Union honoring Kirk after he was assassinated while speaking at a Utah college campus.
Jenna Smith, secretary officer of the Pitt College Republicans, credited Kirk as the biggest inspiration to the young conservative movement.
“Charlie Kirk was the first man to hand me my first personal MAGA hat, the first person for me to actually see in person, and that really ignited something in me,” said Smith, 20, about Kirk’s visit to campus last year.
@triblive Charlie Kirk and guest Vivek Ramaswamy have arrived at the University of Pittsburgh for the “You’re Being Brainwashed Tour” — hosted by Turning Point USA #news #pitt #turningpoint #charliekirk #pennsylvania #pittsburgh #city #campus #trump #kamala #biden #journalism #politics #election #tour #brainwashed ♬ original sound - TribLive
Kirk’s death on Wednesday left conservative college students across Western Pennsylvania rattled.
Pitt’s vigil began at 11 a.m. and gathered a crowd of roughly 20 people.
President of the Pitt College Republicans Julia Cassidy, 20, started off the vigil by addressing the public’s reaction to Kirk’s death.
“Tragedy proved that this world is undeserving of Charlie and he was called home to eternal rest with his savior in a chillingly symbolic manner,” Cassidy said. “He died defending the truth and was taken out by a bullet inscribed with the ideology that seeks to erase it.”
The beginning of @PittTweet College Republicans’ vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated while speaking at a college in Utah on Wednesday.Kirk visited Pitt’s campus this time a year ago. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/hZgZnHyMfy
— Megan Trotter (@meganktrotter) September 12, 2025
Pennsylvania State Sen. Greg Rothman, who was in the Pittsburgh area for a summit, saw the College Republicans’ post about the vigil and decided to attend in support of the conservative students and act as a voice against political violence.
“They used to talk about American democracy as special because of this bloodless revolution … We have what’s called a loyal opposition, which means you’re loyal to the country, and that’s how democracy works. And the violence isn’t acceptable,” Rothman said to TribLive.
The vigil remained peaceful as other students and community members passed by without reaction.
During his speech, Rothman reminisced about meeting Kirk.
“I met Charlie Kirk when he was 18 years old. We were in Tampa, Florida, at the Republican National Convention, he approached a mutual friend of mine, who I was with, asking him for a sizable donation. And Charlie told us … that he wasn’t going to go to college. He was going to go and change colleges,” Rothman said.
Senator @wgregrothman joined @PittTweet students on campus outside The William Pitt Union for a vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk — who was known for rallying young Republicans and hosting political debates.He shared the story of the first time he met Kirk. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/id1Fkjt8oq
— Megan Trotter (@meganktrotter) September 12, 2025
Prayers were read as a tribute to Kirk.
Tiffany Kreiger, recruitment leader of the College Republicans, decided to read Psalm 23, which talks about God being a provider and protector even through fear and danger, to remind people they shouldn’t be afraid to speak their minds.
“This was really emotional for me. My great-grandfather is super sick right now, and this is his favorite verse … and then when this happened, I felt like it was the perfect verse, because it says walk through the shadows of death, fear no evil,” Kreiger said.
CMU College Republican President Anthony Cacciato also attended Pitt’s vigil in a show of support.
On Thursday night, CMU College Republicans held their own tribute event, where they painted The Fence, a sounding board of free speech on CMU’s campus, in honor of Kirk.
Smith said that on Pitt’s campus, the group of people who align with the conservative message is smaller. Kirk’s visit last year helped her to feel comfortable sharing her beliefs.
“We are all pretty much Charlie,” she said, about Kirk’s political legacy.
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