Gov. Spencer Cox declares Thursday as Charlie Kirk Day in Utah
-
- Organizers prepare for a tribute to Charlie Kirk on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.
-
- A memorial honoring Charlie Kirk is photographed on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 15, 2025, where he was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025. (Curtis Booker, Daily Herald file photo)
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox declared Thursday to be Charlie Kirk Day in Utah, one year after the conservative activist was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
Cox said Kirk traveled to Utah last year to participate in the American tradition of speaking openly, debating ideas and persuading others, and called for citizens to respond to the tragedy with courage and empathy.
“Today, we honor Charlie’s memory by choosing a politics worthy of our country, one where we stand firmly for what we believe and reject violence,” Cox said.
On Sept. 10, 2025, Kirk was speaking at a Turning Point U.S.A. event at an outdoor courtyard when he was shot in the neck and transported to Timpanogos Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A manhunt ensued for a suspect, and on Sept. 11, Tyler Robinson, a then 22-year-old man from Washington, Utah, was detained by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Earlier this month, a 4th District judge ordered Robinson to stand trial for seven charges, including aggravated murder.
A year after Kirk’s assassination, Cox called on individuals to build civic courage through acts of service, participate in difficult conversations and stand for principle.
He called for a rejection of political violence and polarization and for mutual respect.
“The future of our democracy relies on the courage of all — particularly the rising generation — to demonstrate what constructive, principled and peaceful public life looks like,” he said. “Utah remains dedicated to modeling civil engagement for the nation, and being a place where ideas are debated with conviction, facts and persuasion rather than animosity or violence.”
An American flag hung over the spot where Kirk was killed, and a cross.
On Thursday evening, a Turning Point U.S.A. event was scheduled to take place at the UCCU Center on UVU’s campus. The event will take place after the Daily Herald’s print deadline, but coverage from it will be available in the paper’s weekend edition.
