Utah Valley University Faces Tensions One Year After Charlie Kirk Assassination
Tensions rise at Utah Valley University on the anniversary of Charlie Kirk's assassination as students protest a Turning Point USA memorial event.
POLICY WIRE — Orem, Utah — One year after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Utah Valley University campus remains deeply divided. The 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA was killed by a sniper on September 10, 2025, while addressing students on the university grounds.
In observance of the anniversary, the university suspended classes on Thursday to provide time and space for reflection, service and connection. However, the decision to allow Turning Point USA to host a memorial event at the campus-affiliated UCCU Center has sparked significant backlash.
The event, titled Freedom Built to Last Memorial Honoring Charlie Kirk, is described by organizers as a tribute to his life and legacy. While supporters view the gathering as a necessary way to honor a national tragedy, members of the Students for a Democratic Society have organized a protest, labeling the memorial a far-right political event.
Collin Grannis, a founding member of the student group, expressed that many students still suffer from trauma associated with the imagery of the shooting. Grannis argued that the university should have facilitated a memorial off-campus, away from the site where the violence occurred.
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University president Jon Anderson informed the student body in August that the memorial would be a private event. UVU spokesperson Sharon Turner emphasized that the university remains committed to free expression and noted that the UCCU Center is frequently rented to third-party organizations, clarifying that the school does not endorse the specific activities held there.
In an open letter, the Students for a Democratic Society accused Turning Point of promoting divisive ideas and advocating for harm against marginalized groups. The group contends that the university’s decision to host the memorial forces students to relive the trauma of the shooting.
The memorial features speakers including Glenn Beck and Michael Knowles. Meanwhile, Turning Point has shared images on social media of the site where Kirk was killed, which has been decorated with a wooden cross and an American flag, though university officials confirmed these are not permanent fixtures.
President Anderson has stated his intention to support all students regardless of their perspectives. He plans to meet with protesters to hear their concerns while simultaneously supporting those who wish to mourn the activist.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
