Dartmouth students gathered for a vigil for Charlie Kirk on the Green on Sept. 25. This was the first campus-wide event of Dartmouth’s chapter of Turning Point USA, Kirk’s youth activist organization with chapters at 800 colleges across the country.
Kirk was killed while speaking at a Utah university two weeks before he was scheduled to speak at Dartmouth.
Around 45 people attended the vigil, which was co-hosted by Dartmouth Conservatives. Student leaders of Dartmouth’s conservative organizations spoke about Kirk’s influence, describing him as a “martyr” and a defender of dialogue.
Vittorio Bloyer ’28, who founded the Dartmouth chapter of Turning Point USA in spring 2025, said in a speech that Kirk was a “nearly irreplaceable” figure.
“On a grand scale, Charlie was probably more influential than the work of any singular politician,” Bloyer said. “Instead of changing policy, he changed minds … Promoting dialogue and challenging ideas, Charlie died a martyr.”
Bloyer added that the loss of Kirk “remains incredibly hard” for him to process.
President of Dartmouth Conservatives Jack Coleman ’26 described Kirk as a “mentor” for young conservatives and praised his debate skills.
“I think it’s important for us to carry on the sentiment of Charlie’s legacy, which was talking to those we disagree with,” Crawford said. “When we stop talking to each other, it becomes much easier to commit violence against each other.”
Coleman added that Kirk “energized” students to take action and brought conservative ideas into new spaces.
“History will not forget,” Coleman said. “He brought his ideas to places fellow conservatives never ventured.”
Colin Jung ’28, vice president of Dartmouth Turning Point USA, read lyrics from Henry Webster’s “Lorena,” a 19th century American song.
“Our heads will soon lie low, Lorena / Life’s tide is ebbing out so fast / There is a future! O, thank God / Of life this is so small a part / ’Tis dust to dust beneath the sod / But there, up there, ’tis heart to heart,” he read.
Dartmouth Turning Point USA member Isaiah Harrison ’28 also spoke, discouraging judgements of others solely based on politics.
“We have to stop categorizing people based on what they believe but get to know who they are,” he said.
Not all attendees were political allies of Kirk. In an interview, Gus Bhatia ’29 said he attended the vigil to communicate his “solidarity” with those grieving.
“I’m someone who disagreed vehemently with Charlie Kirk’s political ideas,” Bhatia said. “But political violence in this country is obviously a big problem, and I think it’s important that those from all sides of the aisle come together.”
Vigil participant Precious Esielem ’26 said in an interview that she attended the vigil because she “just wanted to be with other people” who were thinking about the loss of Kirk.
Kirk’s death “was a loss of human life,” Esielem said. “My heart really goes out to Charlie’s family.”
Turning Point USA New England field representative Angelina Devellis closed the event by telling participants that they are the future of the conservative movement.
“We see you, we’re here for you, and we appreciate you,” Devellis said.
She added that 200,000 students have joined Turning Point USA chapters across the country since Kirk’s death.
“Turning Point is stronger than ever,” she said.
