Not seeing anyone host a vigil for Charlie Kirk in Marshalltown, Steven Havens felt it was important to recognize the nationally known conservative political activist and media personality who founded the nonprofit organization Turning Point USA.

“I felt if no one else was going to do it, I had to,” he said. “He was a motivational speaker, and I wanted to at least give the public a chance. A lot of people liked him and I’m surprised nothing was done yet.”

Securing two hours at Anson Park for the vigil on Thursday evening, Havens wanted it to be a time for residents to talk about Kirk and the impact he had on the youth in the country. There was no set organization of the vigil, just people who wanted to share in honoring Kirk with others.

Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem during a debate event hosted by his nonprofit organization Turning Point USA. Vigils honoring him have been held across the country. In Marshalltown, roughly 15 people attended.

“I think we really need unity, and I think that is what [Charlie] was about,” Havens said.

Rep. David Blom (R-Marshalltown) said he was listening to someone on the radio talk about Kirk, and wondered if he himself were to die, what would people say?

“Everybody had the same thing to say about Charlie — he made them feel like they were his best friend,” he said. “I think that’s an amazing thing to have said about you after you’re gone.”

Others in attendance agreed with Blom, stating that it seemed like Kirk had a lot of compassion and a desire to understand where others were coming from. He was good at making people feel comfortable in conversation, they said.

There was speculation amongst the people who were present that the number of attendees might have been greater if there had been more exposure on social media. Havens posted the event on a few community Facebook pages, but he said they were taken down.

“People were messaging me, saying they weren’t going to be my friend anymore just for talking about this stuff,” he said. “They said if I support him, I’m a racist and I’m for taking their rights away.”

Havens said one person threatened to project a video of Kirk dying while the vigil was ongoing. However, there were also a lot of people online who had positive responses, offering support and stating their desire to attend.

About 30 minutes after the vigil started, Havens led a prayer for Kirk, his famhttps://www.timesrepublican.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#edit_timestampily and for the people online who made angry and hurtful comments.

“People are just going down a path of hatred that can only lead to terrible things, Lord,” he prayed. “I pray for them to persevere and for forgiveness for them. Resolve this division in our country, as I feel Charlie did, Lord.”

Attendee Jodi Ash shared her belief that God is not done with the United States yet.

“My prayer is for the kids who have accepted Christ recently to be filled with a holy boldness not to speak out in an angry way, but with grace and truth, the way Charlie did,” she said.

Ash recalled how Kirk would ask people to talk with him and debate on a variety of topics.

“To go to somebody and say, ‘Can you tell me your story? I would like to hear your story. Are you willing to hear my story?'” she said. “Those kinds of discourses are so important.”

Based on her experience engaging with others politically, Ash said when people sit and face one another, there is respect. When she did that, it was not nearly as divided. She added that there is more common ground than people believe.

“This really needs to be the turning point,” said attendee Sarah Readout. “We can’t keep going the way we’ve been going. What kind of future is that?”

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.