UVU Students Plan Protest Outside Charlie Kirk Memorial

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Utah Valley University (UVU) will stage a protest outside the private “Freedom Built to Last Memorial” organized by Turning Point USA at the UCCU Center on the evening of September 10. The group held a de-escalation training session the night before to prepare participants for a peaceful demonstration.

KUTV Salt Lake City

One year earlier, Charlie Kirk—a co-founder of Turning Point USA—was fatally shot while speaking at UVU on September 10. Turning Point USA describes the upcoming event as a memorial honoring Kirk’s “faith-filled” life and will livestream the ceremony with speakers such as Glenn Beck and Frank Turek. A judge recently ruled that Tyler Robinson will stand trial for Kirk’s killing.

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• Collin Grannis – Leader of UVU’s SDS chapter, organizer of the protest and de-escalation training.

KUTV Salt Lake City

• Jon Anderson – President of Utah Valley University.

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• Turning Point USA – Host of the memorial.

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• UVU Administration – Office responsible for the September 10 campus closure and security coordination.

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• September 10 (scheduled) – Turning Point USA’s private memorial at the UCCU Center; UVU campus closed; SDS protest planned outside the venue.

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• An open letter circulated by SDS and allied groups gathered at least 483 signatures from students demanding the cancellation of the memorial.

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• Event security will require tickets, metal-detector checks, and will prohibit balloons, banners, drones, noisemakers, cameras, and face coverings that conceal more than the mouth and nose. Only one small clutch bag per person will be allowed, with medically necessary bags inspected.

NewsweekKUTV Salt Lake City

• UVU security office: Confirmed an “increased security presence on campus” while declining to share specific details, emphasizing a balance between safety and minimal disruption to learning.

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• SDS leaders argue that the memorial promotes “right-wing ideology” and that the university’s decision to host the event “endorses” those views.

KUTV Salt Lake City

• The open letter accuses President Jon Anderson of aligning with Turning Point USA, labeling the organization “openly racist and antagonistic” and urging the university to revoke permission for the event.

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• “We want people to get out there and get political and to be able to protest and exercise some of their rights without being scared,” — Collin Grannis

KUTV Salt Lake City

• “None of our group will be carrying weapons,” — Collin Grannis

KUTV Salt Lake City

The protest and memorial are set to occur on September 10. UVU has indicated that security measures will be in place, and the campus will remain closed to regular activities for the duration of the event.

Newsweek