Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh told The Center Square plans for the vigil came together this week based on many people reaching out and asking about an opportunity to celebrate Kirk’s life

Carleen Johnson
The Center Square Washington

Hundreds of people are expected to converge at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., on Sunday for a vigil to honor Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy.

The conservative activist and founder of the group Turning Point USA was shot and killed on Sept. 10 on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. It was to be the first stop of a new tour of speaking with and debating on college campuses nationwide.

Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh told The Center Square plans for the vigil came together this week based on many people reaching out and asking about an opportunity to celebrate Kirk’s life.

“The interest, and I would even say demand, that people have to know more about Charlie Kirk and what he did is massive,” said Walsh, who also serves as a representative in the state Legislature. “I’m getting contacts from people who are not involved in politics, but who feel something is terribly wrong with what happened, and they are asking me, ‘Who was this guy and why is he so important?’ The number of phone calls and emails and text messages I’m getting about Charlie Kirk is not like anything I’ve ever seen.”

Walsh said many people who reached out asked for a gathering in Olympia.

“So, Corey Gauny ended up being kind of the point man, and he got the permits and made all the logistical arrangements,” Walsh explained.

Gauny is the chair of the Thurston County Republican Party. On Friday, he told The Center Square he’s unsure how many people will turn out, but organizers are preparing for several hundred at least.

“When I talked to DES [Department of Enterprise Services] and originally filed my permit, I said 200 people, to which DES said, ‘What’s your mailing list?’ I told them about 700,” he said.

DES suggested he plan for several hundred people showing up.

“I did not anticipate the interest being this big, honestly,” Gauny said.

He added that community faith leaders will attend the vigil to speak and pray. Several local and state elected leaders, along with hundreds of community members, are also planning to attend.

“This is not a partisan event. It’s not Republican, not Democrat, but it’s about understanding and honoring Charlie Kirk and his mission of creating open dialogue and engaging with those he may likely disagree with,” Gauny said. “To continue that legacy, this is about finding our common ground as Olympians, Washingtonians and Americans.”

The Center Square asked Gauny about security for the event and any concerns about disruptive protesters.

“I have the utmost faith in the Washington State Patrol,” Gauny replied, adding that the event will have volunteers in attendance prepared to ensure the event remains peaceful.

The vigil is set to begin at 3 p.m. It will be held around the Tivoli Fountain on the Capitol Campus at 416 Sid Snyder Ave. SW in Olympia.

There are a few parking spaces on the campus, and residential street parking in the area is also limited, so those planning to attend are advised to come early and be prepared to walk some distance.

This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.