Former county supervisor hosts vigil after Charlie Kirk’s death; faith leaders denounce political violence

Five days after conservative media personality Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in Utah, a group of about 150 people gathered at Stockton’s Swenson Park Monday night for a vigil organized by former County Supervisor Tom Patti.

“Sure we might have different religious ideas or political ideas, but none of that trumps the opportunity we have to be American and live that American dream,” Patti said in his opening remarks. Patti intended the vigil to focus not just on Kirk, but also on school shootings and other forms of violence, he told Stocktonia.

Throughout the evening, Stockton faith leaders including Deacon Michael Wofford, Rabbi Jason Gwasdoff, Bishop Dwight Williams and Pastor Brad Stahl gave brief speeches in which they condemned political violence and commented on Kirk’s death.

Kirk was a commentator and podcaster with close ties to President Donald Trump. He is known for founding Turning Point USA, a nonprofit aiming to promote conservative views on high school and college campuses. During his career, Kirk faced high-profile backlash for his racist commentary about Muslims, Black people and other groups.

The commentator was killed Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was 31. A Utah man has been arrested in connection with the killing.

At Swenson Park on Monday, faith leaders denounced political violence and led group prayers and songs. Bishop Williams described what has happened in recent days as “totally unacceptable, and must be condemned.”

Deacon Wofford agreed.

“Dignity must be afforded to all people,” Wofford said. “Regardless of their characteristics, their citizenship, their personal (or) social status, Democrats or Republicans.”

At about 7 p.m., the speeches were interrupted by a protester who approached the front of the gathering, shouting, “Are we allowed to remember this dude for everything he said?” and “the Civil Rights Act was not a mistake!”

The statements may have referred to a 2024 Wired report quoting Kirk as calling the 1964 legislation barring racial segregation and discrimination “a huge mistake.”

The protester was met with chants of “USA! USA!” by a handful of attendees, while others sang the song “God Bless America.”

About five minutes after the initial disruption, Stockton Police officers handcuffed the protester after a brief scuffle with a vigil attendee. It’s unclear what started the altercation.

“If you share and show kindness, kindness can and will come back to you,” Williams said. “But if you sow division, and if you sow hatred, it will come back to you in a harvest.”