WOODVILLE – On Saturday evening, Tyler County Judge Milton Powers spoke about the right of Americans to “speak exactly what they want to speak” as a testament to the late Charlie Kirk.
Powers was part of a large crowd that gathered at the practice field behind Hennigan Park in Woodville to honor Kirk in a candlelight vigil.
“I’m not here tonight as a politician or even a pastor. I’m here tonight as a brother in Christ who was encouraged by his words…encouraged by him being able to stand and proclaim Jesus Christ,” Powers said to those in attendance.
Kirk, a political activist, author and media personality, who founded the organization Turning Point USA, was assassinated at an event in Utah on Wednesday, Sept. 10, while he was speaking.
In the wake of his death, an outpouring of support and mourning came from people, publicly and on social media, and nationwide, many honored Kirk with candlelight vigils similar to the one that took place in Woodville on Saturday.
The organizers state that the event’s goal was to both remember Kirk, and to pray for peace and unity within the community and nationwide. “Let’s stand together in love, lifting up one another and leaning into the faith that gives us hope,” the organizers, Denise Shae Mauceli and Felesha McClusky, stated.
Powers also called for unity in a day when division colors much of the country’s discourse in politics.
“We’re not fighting the left or right…we’re wrestling against the principalities of darkness,” he said.
A 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, was arrested and charged with Kirk’s murder, after a manhunt, and has been charged with aggravated murder, which means he could face the death penalty, if convicted of the killing.
Kirk’s murder caused a public outpouring of tributes, and federally, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Oct. 14, 2025 as a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.” The legislation was led by Florida Republican Rick Scott, who referred to Kirk as “a good man – a devout husband, father and friend,” in his remarks.
Kirk was honored in a public funeral service that took place on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event drew many speakers from politics, including President Donald Trump.
