GA legislator to be among speakers at vigil remembering Charlie Kirk in Columbus
A vigil remembering conservative political activist Charlie Kirk will be conducted in Columbus.
The event will be held at the Thomas Y. Whitley Clock Tower on Columbus State University’s main campus from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 21, lead organizer Regina “Reggie” Liparoto told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Liparoto, a former local radio and TV personality, ran in the 2024 Republican primary election for Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District seat. In 2018, she ran for the District 9 citywide seat on Columbus Council.
Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Liparoto said the idea for the vigil came “after much communication from my social media following and my Christian roots in the community.”
She wants to provide a time and space for people to “share their grief and sadness over Charlie’s death and how he died,” Liparoto said. “So many Christians have a feeling of being silenced while others had a louder voice.”
After “much dialogue and discussion” about finding a site for the vigil, Liparoto said, the CSU president’s office “offered this place and time to those who wish to attend peacefully and respectfully.”
Despite the vigil’s flyer having Columbus State University’s logo, CSU spokesman Michael Tullier clarified that the university isn’t sponsoring the event.
“We have guidelines for and provide the use of free expression zones on campus, both to campus organizations and the community, as in this case,” he told the Ledger-Enquirer.
CSU became embroiled in the controversy surrounding Kirk’s death when Allen Gee, a creative writing professor, posted on social media comments about Kirk that created so much backlash, he resigned from his endowed professorship and as CSU Press director. Gee remains on the faculty.
Following such contention, Liparoto hopes the vigil will be “an olive branch to unite the community.”
“This is not to promote hate or division or judgment,” Liparoto said. “It is a respectful vigil to remember a Christian man whose life was devoted to campus ministry.”
Georgia state Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) and retired Columbus police officer Karen Gaskins, who is running for the District 1 seat on the Columbus Council, will be among the speakers, Liparoto said.
According to a post Friday on the OnlyColGa Facebook page, a protest of the vigil is planned.
This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 11:45 AM.
