CLERMONT, Fla. – On Sunday evening, hundreds of people gathered at Clermont’s Waterfront Park to remember Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was killed during a political rally in Utah on Sept. 10.
“He reminded me of the importance of standing strong in truth, loving this nation, and most importantly, loving Jesus Christ,” Connor Hayes remarked to News 6.
Hayes, who organized the event, said the concept for this tribute emerged after a social media post he created for a prior event honoring Kirk received over 60,000 views.
“Charlie Kirk was – he was more than just someone involved in politics; he was deeply rooted in his faith,” Hayes continued. “He was among the top debaters. Sadly, there are people who, if they disagree with you, will try to silence or, unfortunately, harm you.”
Aliya Erhardt, 16, also spoke at tonight’s memorial.
“I believe that although what happened is tragic, it shouldn’t take such events to prompt people to start caring,” she stated before the memorial began.
At the memorial, Aliya Erhardt, announcing her efforts to establish a Turning Point USA chapter in Clermont, told attendees, “The enemy didn’t silence Charlie Kirk because he spoke; he silenced him because we listened.”
Turning Point USA was created as a nonprofit aimed at promoting conservative valuers at college campus across the U.S.
Aliya and her father, Sean Erhardt, aimed to highlight Charlie Kirk’s life—a life tragically ended by violence. However, they also sought to set aside divisiveness and harsh rhetoric.
“It doesn’t matter what side you’re on, what color you are, where you come from,” Sean Erhardt told News 6. “I could care less about any of that. It’s the simple fact of just being, you know, just being humane to be to one another.”
Tonight’s memorial stayed true to heart – more as a faith-based church service, and less like a political rally.
And although there was a heavy law enforcement presence at the park by the Clermont Police Department, everything went off without a hitch.
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