(WBRE/WYOU) — The assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk is having an impact in northeastern Pennsylvania. Crowds gathered on Sunday in both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre to honor him and call for change.
People who showed up to both events were able to sign a sympathy card for Kirk's family as well as a petition to end political violence.
Roughly 50 people showed up to Courthouse Square in Downtown Scranton to honor someone they admired.
Kirk, the late political activist, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
"I think everyone here showed up because they loved Charlie Kirk, and they wanted to honor his memory," JoAnne Mayer with NEPA Republicans said.
People of all ages signed a sympathy card for the Kirk family, encouraged to write a message from the heart, showing their solidarity with them.
"Charlie really meant a lot to me and meant a lot to other people my age. So, I just wanted to come out here as a college student and show everyone what an impact Charlie Kirk had," University of Scranton Student Willard Tresler explained.
Just down the interstate, another event drew about 30 people to Public Square in Wilkes-Barre.
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Those in attendance also signed a card, and they hope to get both cards to the family.
"I talked to Turning Point Action's person in Philadelphia, and either he's going to get it delivered or Dan Meuser, so somehow, we're going to get that to the family, and we just want to make sure that the family knows northeastern PA loves them," NEPA Republicans Leader Theodore John Fitzgerald stated.
Many became emotional at the events, reflecting on what they felt when they heard the news on Wednesday.
"It didn't really hit me until the next day. There hasn't been a day that I haven't just cried since, and it is kind of hard to understand why because I didn't personally know him, but it's just, I've been an emotional wreck," Jacqui Judson from Scranton said.
"The fact that someone got murdered because of their opinions, and because of their beliefs, and because of their outgoing-ness and their willingness to practice free speech--it was just shocking," Tresler told 28/22 News.
"I felt every emotion," Fitzgerald added.
Those involved hope this event will have an impact on the community.
"I want it to lead to what Charlie Kirk stood for, and that is discourse, that's discussion," Tresler continued.
Both organizers told 28/22 News they were not sure how many people would attend, but were pleasantly surprised with the turnout.
