WHEELING, Ill. (WLS) — Residents in the Chicago region are still grappling with the passing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative political figure who was tragically shot and killed on Wednesday while at a Utah university.
From his early days at Wheeling High School to his prominent appearances at recent Republican National Conventions, Kirk established himself as a young standout in the MAGA movement.
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“Charlie Kirk was among the pioneers in effectively engaging young students on university campuses,” noted Akshay Kirthi, a Republican student at the University of Chicago.
In his teenage years, Kirk decided that he was better suited to speak to college students rather than being one himself, a decision that propelled him to conservative stardom through campus events.
One acquaintance described their relationship, saying, “I considered him like a son. However, just a week ago, I became increasingly repelled by his views… they stood against everything I believe in.”
Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman
As the visionary behind Turning Point USA, a student activism organization he personally developed, Kirk embarked on a college tour, establishing campus chapters, even one at the University of Chicago, which drew massive audiences, though not everyone was a supporter.
His signature forum was called “Prove Me Wrong.”
“I felt particularly isolated, politically,” said Kellen Riall, Vice President of the Turning Point USA University of Chicago Chapter. “The fact that Charlie has been such a major moving force at colleges all across the nation, it’s extremely impactful in allowing people like me to feel comfortable, represents us.”
READ MORE | Those who knew Wheeling HS grad Charlie Kirk, whose political org started small in Lemont, reflect
“He extended the olive branch to different people, and that’s something I really resonated with,” Kirthi said.
But his critics saw Kirk’s opinions as offensive and divisive.
Kirk amassed a following of millions across social media platforms, frequently blasting controversial views:
“Democrat women want to die alone without children.”
“Indoctrinating 5-year-old kindergartners that they can be something other than a boy or a girl is child abuse and should be illegal.”
“We don’t have enough people in prison in America. We need a lot more prisoners.”
“My relationship with him, I say he was like a son to me,” former Republican congressman Joe Walsh. “But by the end, as of a week ago, I found his views abhorrent… he was everything I opposed.”
Walsh nurtured then split with Kirk.
“But I’ll always want to remember him as the idealistic, happy, young, freedom loving warrior,”
Now, the young self-made firebrand is dead amidst a moment of peak political violence.
The FBI has released images of a person of interest sought in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin spoke Thursday on the rise of political violence in the nation.
“In 20 years up to 2015, we had two incidents of political violence against elected officials,” Durbin said. “In the 10 years since, we’ve had 25. The numbers tell a story. It is much more dangerous than it used to be.”
In the wake of Kirk’s murder, many Chicago City Council members are now expressing concern for their own safety.
Twenty alderpersons have signed a letter to the police superintendent and corporation counsel, calling for new security procedures at City Hall. The letter says that because of the subjects discussed in Council recently, some members have needed escorts out of the building.
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