Posted December 27, 2025
Charlie Kirk
RIVER FALLS, WI. – It’s been a month since Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The founder and president of Turning Point USA died while speaking at the first stop of what was to have been his fall “American Comeback Tour,” according to MPR News.
At the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, student groups continue to remember him in their own way. One of those student groups is the UW-River Falls College Republicans. “I think what we’ve been feeling rather than frustration a new sense of purpose on campus,” said Madeline Nelson, chair of the College Republicans. Since Kirk’s death, the group has redoubled its efforts to collaborate with other conservative groups. The goal is to ensure their views, opinions and voices are heard on campus. “We’re looking to really get College Republicans, Turning Point Action, and Young Americans for Liberty to join together and make our impact on students here triple what we do individually.”
One way they saw this impact though was through the unfortunate act of defacing.
“We had our first College Republicans meeting, an informational meeting on Wednesday Sept. 17th,” Nelson said. “Following the meeting, about half our groups, maybe 10 to 12 students, checked out a bucket of chalk from the University Center and right outside the University Center, the circular patio concrete sidewalk area, we chalked this beautiful memorial for Kirk.
But what happened that evening was three students found their own chalk and completely defaced our memorial by writing very hateful, vile, graphic phrases over our words. And I had students from our club say, ‘Wow. That was completely impactful just seeing the response to our remembrance of Charlie Kirk.’”
While that display of criticism was disrespectful to those mourning Kirk’s loss, another campus group, Falcons Against Fascism, issued a statement offering their share of criticisms while also continuing to respect Kirk’s ideals on religion and his message of freedom of speech. In an emailed statement, group chair Robert Boss, said the group has condemned Kirk’s “nationalist rhetoric” that has “promoted homophobic, transphobic, sexist, racist, divisive bigotry that has potentially set us back years on issues we feel should have been overcome decades ago.” He also added, “We also feel his hateful rhetoric has damaged the reputation of the Christian faith by misrepresenting the core beliefs that most Christians live by.”
Despite the criticism, the group stated, “No one should be murdered for their beliefs” and described Kirk’s death as “heartbreaking reflection of the divisiveness our society is facing.”
Boss also noted that he and the group share values with Kirk, including love for the United States, belief in constructive criticism and a commitment to freedom.
Kirk’s legacy was honored on what was to have been the second stop he was to host on Sept. 22 at the University of Minnesota. Six members of the UW-River Falls College Republican group members volunteered at the event, according to Nelson.
“We were able to volunteer by ushering people to their seats and joining them, directing them around the building, promoting Turning Point with their booth at the event,” she said.
According to MPR News, conservative commentator Michael Knowles hosted the event, the “American Comeback Tour”. Nelson said other speakers came to remember Kirk and about 90 minutes were dedicated to student questions.
“It wasn’t the same without Charlie, of course,” she said, “-but still a great way for thousands of people to come together and remember his legacy.”
The article may be found online at https://uwrfjournalism.org/2025/12/uwrf-students-reflect-on-charlie-kirks-death-respond-to-memorial-defacing/.