"Instead, this conservative, religious city was thrust into a national reckoning of political violence, forced into mourning after a gunman killed Charlie Kirk, an influential right-wing activist, as he was speaking at the local university. How could an assassination happen in a place where the official motto is "Family City USA"? Where people make a point to lend a hand to strangers and where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has more places of worship than the city has interstate exits?"
""This act stands in direct opposition to our values of family, unity, respect and faith," Mayor David Young said to the massive crowd gathered for a vigil in honor of Kirk, an influential figure in American politics, whom many credit with energizing young conservatives and helping push President Trump to reelection. Kirk was known for challenging left-wing orthodoxies on college campuses and trumpeting his Christian faith."
"His beliefs also swung toward extremism, as he often spouted vitriol against racial and religious minorities, LGBTQ+ people, childless women, progressives and others who disagreed with him. But at the vigil, people celebrated what they called his dedication to freedom of speech. As they held up candles and cellphone lights, Young reminded them that "darkness never has the last word." Families huddled together. A young dad teared up, his baby strapped on his chest."
A gunman assassinated Charlie Kirk while he spoke at a local university, transforming planned 9/11 commemorations into grief and shock. The conservative, religious city known for its "Family City USA" motto and numerous Latter-day Saint congregations held a massive vigil where Mayor David Young condemned the act as opposed to local values of family, unity, respect and faith. Attendees celebrated Kirk's defense of free speech even as reporting noted his rhetoric often veered into extremism and vitriol toward racial and religious minorities, LGBTQ+ people, childless women and progressives. Candlelight, prayers and chants marked the community response.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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