County republicans host vigil for Charlie Kirk

‘Wednesday was a turning point in our country’

The Colorado County Republican Party gathered for a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk with worship music and words from county leaders, Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the county courthouse.

Over 100 county residents participated in the evening vigil for Kirk, a conservative political activist and founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10., sparking controversy across the nation and prompting many conservative groups to honor him. Colorado County Republican Party Precinct Chair Terry Braun and Bobbi Gustus organized the vigil for Colorado County. Braun said she met and spoke with Kirk once a few years ago then began following his activism.

“I think there is a percentage of the people that are celebrating, which for the life of me how do you celebrate someone being murdered? [For] the other part of the country [, this] is a wakeup call,” Braun said. “This is not our country. This is not who we are as a people. We’ve got to find that place back to good.”

The vigil lasted two-hours and featured numerous local speakers including Colorado County Judge Ty Prause, Justice of the Peace Don Clark and Colorado County Director of EMS Michael Furrh. Columbus Mayor Lori An Gobert and Columbus Police Chief Milton Edman were in attendance. Prause shared his initial reaction and perspective on Kirk’s death.

“Regardless whether he was correct or incorrect on occasion in his political positions or any other opinion or position, there has been an inconceivable amount of suffering, loss of life, [and] trials for the right to freely express those positions, and he was doing it in forms that allowed opposition to step up and take the mic and debate him, prove him wrong,” Prause said, then continued about his killing. “What a cowardly act. They martyred him that day, and they will have long-achieving effects as well as [effects] contrary to the woke and nullification movements they’re from.”

Braun said she hopes the vigil will help her efforts to get chapters of Turning Point USA in local schools. She said she’s faced a lot of pushback but that she won’t give up.

“To me, what happened on Wednesday was a turning point in our country,” Braun said. “… We have to step up, stand up and be proud.”

Colorado County Democrats Chair Wayne Lefferd declined to comment.

“… We have to step up, stand up and be proud.”

Terry Braun, Colorado County Republican Party Precinct Chair