Memorial events are planned worldwide, from New York City to Australia, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the death of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Thursday marks one year since Kirk was killed, and his supporters are organizing rallies and vigils to honor his legacy and the continued growth of the organization.
Thousands are expected to attend anniversary events organized by TPUSA at its Phoenix headquarters and near Utah Valley University in Orem, where Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10, 2025. The organization stated that Kirk’s murder "inspired, and continues to inspire, hundreds of thousands of young people to get involved in TPUSA and to continue his mission."
Additional memorial events are scheduled to take place in Georgia, Florida, and Nevada, with TPUSA also organizing an event in Sydney, Australia. National Republicans are set to pay tribute to Kirk during their midterm convention in Dallas. In his hometown of Arlington Heights, Illinois, the local GOP will simulcast the Orem memorial and hold its own vigil.
"It’s a real loss to us because he had kind of gotten his start though our organization," said John S. Saletta, Wheeling Township Republican Committeeman, referencing Kirk's early involvement with their organization as a teenager.
In Manhattan, the New York Young Republican Club is hosting a memorial event. Stefano Forte, president of the club, reported that the group's membership grew "exponentially" after Kirk's assassination, allegedly by Tyler Robinson, 23. "Without a doubt, Charlie even in death has inspired so many people," Forte stated.
Since Kirk's death during the 2025-26 school year, the number of TPUSA chapters on college campuses has increased by 64%, and the number of high school clubs has grown by 180%. Forte suggested that memorial events are vital for maintaining engagement within the conservative youth movement Kirk championed, noting that "Charlie’s work translated into voter registration. It translated into volunteers. It translated into political action."
He added that "social events that lead to activating new members" are a key way to sustain this momentum. Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, will observe the anniversary privately with their two children, family, and close friends. A family spokesperson expressed gratitude for the "outpouring of prayers, love, and support as she and her family remember and honor Charlie as the beloved husband and father he was."