More than a thousand people stood with fists in the air chanting “I am Charlie Kirk!” at a memorial for the right-wing political activist at Cal Poly on Monday night.
Hoots erupted after San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow took the podium at the event, held at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center on Sept. 29.
“If you’ve got life and breath left, you still have an opportunity to be obedient and use every moment of your life to serve God and to serve our country,” Dow said. “We’ve got to turn America back and rebuild our foundations.”
Nearly 1,200 people showed up that evening, some of whom had waited three hours in line for a seat. Another 3,000 people watched the event’s speakers, sermons, and songs of worship online.
Ryan Rundle—president of Cal Poly’s Turning Point USA, a chapter of Kirk’s national organization—told New Times that the group felt it was important to hold the memorial to allow the community to mourn together.
“It’s sad. You hear on the news, ‘You never met them in person.’ But one of the things that Charlie did is he went to a lot of these college campuses, and he talked to these people. Personally, I shook his hand, took a picture with him,” he said. “It feels a lot more close to home because it feels like you’re losing a friend instead of just someone you kind of hear about.”
According to Turning Point’s website, the organization is dedicated to a movement built in “faith, freedom, and love of country.” Kirk hosted debates on college campuses—like at Cal Poly in March 2024—and spoke on podcasts about political ideologies
He was shot and killed on Sept. 10 at the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. Robinson also faces charges of illegally discharging a firearm, obstructing justice, witness tampering, and committing violence in the presence of children, and could be subject to the death penalty, according to Salt Lake Tribune reporting.
At Cal Poly’s memorial, District Attorney Dow told the crowd it’s up to them to continue Kirk’s legacy.
“Say, ‘I’m willing to go and stand up for truth; I’m willing to get into my college class and challenge the professor; … I’m willing to stand up at a city council meeting; I’m willing to write a letter to the editor; I’m willing to challenge the status quo of 2025 in the United States of America, and I want to be a part of this movement—this turning point—to turn America back towards God and restore the foundations of this country,’” he said.
Kirk’s movement hasn’t gone without opposition, though, with him often being called racist or sexist, among other terms.
For example, in 2024 Kirk spoke against United Airlines’ new diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring practices after it committed to hire 40 percent of new pilots based on race and ethnicity.
On a podcast episode of ThoughtCrime, Kirk said, “I’m sorry, if I see a Black pilot I’m going to be like, ‘Boy, I hope he’s qualified.’”
Kirk later debated his comment at a campus event in June 2025 when a man asked if Kirk thought his previous statement was “irresponsible.”
“We find that we have relaxed standards anytime we try to reach racial quotas,” Kirk responded. “Therefore, when it comes to pilots and surgeons, I see they are Black, I am going to hope that that person is qualified, … which of course is legitimate because they are begging the question, we aren’t hiring based on merit anymore.”
District Attorney Dow told the crowd on Sept. 29 that Kirk treated these debates with kindness.
“I saw him with transgender individuals, with people of every race, and they would challenge him, and they basically accuse him of being a racist and bigot. And he would say, ‘What did I say that’s racist?’ and they couldn’t think of anything … He would just talk to them, and he’d ask them questions.”
Dow said he also agreed with Kirk’s views on Pride and transgender issues. He said Kirk had “rather controversially, but truthfully” debated in June that transgender men were “cowards” for not respecting women in all shapes and forms.
Cheers erupted from the audience.
With thousands in attendance, Cal Poly Turning Point President Rundle said these types of events are important for Gen Z, who Kirk named “the lonely generation.”
“I think in our generation, especially with social media and everything, you kind of feel like you’re separated from everyone,” Rundle said. “But those moments where everyone comes together and they’re just able to unite for some reason, whether it’s a cause or to see someone, it’s just a really awesome thing to see.” ∆
This article appears in Oct 2 – 12, 2025.
I wonder if Dan Dow has ever stopped to read the U.S. Constitution since he got a bar card. This woman does not submit to his “Bible,” I have my own book. And I am proud to say he has never served with my vote.
Karen, your comment made no sense and is ignorant.
I support Mr. Dow, Esq and all people who Love God, Freedom and the American Way.
If you do not like you are FREE to Leave the USA
JML, Karen’s comment is not ignorant and makes complete sense. Your comment makes complete sense as well, showing rudeness and low emotional intelligence. Since you couldn’t understand her comment, let me reframe it for you. The US Constitution protects each individual to be able to practice the religion/spirituality they choose. The US is not a Christian Nationalist country, nor was it ever one. The US protects religious freedom, and people like Dow and Kirk are threatening those freedoms by trying to make this country Christian Nationalist. Here’s another way to think of it. How would you feel if instead of Christianity, these people were saying Islam? The US should be a Fundamentalist Islamic country, because that’s what their God wants, and everyone else has to be the same? How does that sit with you? Because it’s the same exact thing these people are saying to everyone who isn’t Christian, or everyone who isn’t their brand of Christian, such as Catholics, Liberal Christians, and many more. The Pope himself doesn’t even agree with Kirk and the Maga cult. Plus, we have waged war against other countries whose leaders were trying to do exactly what these people are doing. Finally, Karen finished her statement by saying that she is happy she never voted for Dow and what he is doing. I applaud her for that choice, and so would all the men and women who have fought and died throughout history to keep America free from dominator people like Kirk, Dow, and the Maga cult.
I am very proud of the New Times for writing this article with no slant. I couldn’t tell what the authors opinion was about the event.Good for you!
Thank you BLL! I was just could not find the “energy” to expand on the topic to keep the argument going, feeling it was pointless.