Local News
“That’s exactly why we needed to do it, because you can’t speak your mind in Massachusetts without fear of being hurt.”
Thousands gathered on the Boston Common, with dozens of dissenters interrupting, to hold a candlelight vigil for far-right activist Charlie Kirk.
“Charlie was a symbol of everything that a Christian and a godly woman would stand for. It’s been completely debilitating. I’ve been incredibly impacted,” Nicole Blanchard, who grew emotional as she spoke, said before the vigil began.
Blanchard, 36, came from Back Bay to “support (Kirk) and his family,” and said she’s “been incredibly moved by everything that he’s done for not only the country, but for the youth.”
More than 3,500 showed up, according to 27-year-old organizer Brian Foley, who ran for Boston City Council this year. The event also drew a comparatively smaller group of protesters, and two people, including a juvenile, were arrested, Boston police said.
The event, which was publicized through social media, was billed to begin at 7 p.m. Candles were handed around, and “True Patriot” t-shirts with Kirk’s face were sold.
Speakers for the event, including student leaders from local college chapters of Kirk’s nonprofit organization Turning Point USA, kicked off around 8 p.m.
“Charlie Kick was someone who was willing to listen to those who disagreed with him. He was one of the last few willing to have a conversation, and that was a rare quality that unfortunately costed his life,” said Anthony Cutler, 21, the president of Suffolk University’s TPUSA chapter.
Other speakers included representatives from MassGOP and right-wing groups like Moms for Liberty and the Massachusetts Family Institute. No elected officials joined despite invitations, Foley noted.
Kirk, 31, was addressing a crowd of thousands Wednesday in Utah, when, as seen in videos circulating on social media, he was shot in the neck while answering a question about gun violence. He was a close ally of President Donald Trump and had galvanized a conservative youth movement, touring college campuses to debate college students, events which often drew protests.
Two arrested as protesters caused event to suddenly end due to safety concerns, organizer said
The area surrounding the Shaw Memorial was blocked off, including Beacon Street in front of the Statehouse, for the vigil. Outside of the fences was a small protest, including a man who appeared to be sitting down and burning an American flag.
Others waved a flag associated with antifa and a sign that said “Fascists get off our lawn.” Most were masked, and one person declined to be interviewed.
Throughout the vigil, the group of 20 to 40 people moved around the Common, making noise with drums and blowhorns to disrupt the speakers.
The event had a large police presence, with dozens of officers. Two people were arrested on the Boston Common during the vigil, Boston police confirmed Thursday night.
Joseph Antuan Castro Del Rio, 38, of Watertown, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at 7 p.m., and a juvenile boy was arrested on charges of assault and battery and possessing a knife, Boston police said.
At around 9 p.m., Foley suddenly addressed the crowd, saying BPD’s “special operations” had called and recommended the event end.
“Things were already getting a little dicey by the antifa counter-protest, and we hadn’t had any violence yet so it was going good, and I got that call,” Foley said. “They were worried that people were going to probably attack on the way home.”
Another protester had ditched a backpack, which ended up being empty, and ran away to create a panic, Foley said.
“Safety’s more important, and that’s the whole message,” Foley said. “I listened to the Boston Police Department, and as soon as they made that call, I ended the event.”
Boston police said no further information was available Thursday evening.
‘Inspiration’: Attendees from Boston, candidate for governor remember Kirk
Much of the event included prayers and singing, as well as chants such as “USA,” “Charlie Kirk,” and “Freedom.” Attendees wanted to sing “God Bless America” over the protesters.
Brian Shortsleeve, a Republican candidate running to challenge Governor Maura Healey, called the vigil a peaceful celebration of Kirk’s life.
“This is about celebrating free speech. It’s about celebrating the exchange of free ideas and inspiring young people,” Shortsleeve said in an interview on the Common. “I just sense tremendous energy on the ground … I think young people are looking for a way to get involved and express their views.”
As protesters with what appeared to be an antifa flag gathered outside the vigil, a Worcester man and a man from North Carolina, who declined to be named, condemned those who protested the vigil. A 13-year-old girl with them called Kirk her “inspiration.”
“We were forced to leave out of safety,” Foley said. “That’s exactly why we needed to do it, because you can’t speak your mind in Massachusetts without fear of being hurt, and it’s time that we accept that I’m human and you’re human, and at the end of the day everyone is going to disagree on something but it’s not worth someone’s life.”
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
