Community gathers in unity and peace outside Walker County Courthouse
Hundreds gather in downtown Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — An estimated 600 people gathered outside the Walker County Courthouse on Thursday, Sept. 18, for a candlelight vigil honoring conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Organizer Chris Brown said he stepped forward after others in the community asked whether such a memorial would be held.
“Somebody had actually messaged me and asked me if I knew of one happening,” Brown said. “I hadn’t seen anything yet, but I would love to see it. And all it takes is just one person stepping up.”
A tribute to Kirk’s example
Brown said his goal was not political but personal, shaped by how Kirk engaged people in public life.
“One thing that I absolutely loved about Charlie Kirk is his ability to speak in any atmosphere to anybody and mainly to people that hated him,” Brown said. “He wasn’t there more so for the dialogue of the people that loved him. He was there to have conversations with the people that did not love him, that wished ill will on him. And so I wanted to create a tribute to that.”
Brown admitted he had faced criticism for organizing the vigil.
“I’ve caught a lot of backlash and a lot of bad name calling over me having a memorial for this one person,” he said. “I believe that anybody and everybody that has lost their life, natural or unnatural, deserves that recognition.”
Patriotic music, candles, and hymns
The vigil lasted from 7 to 8 p.m., as patriotic and Christian music played across the courthouse square. Brown had purchased more than 200 handheld candles with protectors but encouraged participants to bring their own.
“There was a memorial set up for Charlie, which I bought quite a few candles for,” he said. “I also bought over 200 of those handheld candles with the hand protectors, so we can give those out to at least 200 people. I am asking people that they bring their own candle and then also wear your most patriotic outfit.”
Throughout the evening, groups gathered in clusters to pray aloud, while hymns rang out from the crowd. The mix of silence, song, and prayer created a reflective atmosphere that matched the soft glow of hundreds of candles.
“The main thing of it was just trying to show our condolences to that family,” Brown said. “And just to reiterate, this is open to anybody regardless of beliefs as long as it’s peaceful.”
Visitors travel to attend
Among those present was Cloresa Porter, who made the drive from Willis to be there. She said the turnout and the spirit of the crowd left an impression on her.
“I’m so happy to see so many people coming out, even from outside our area,” Porter said. “To see so many people just come together in unity and peace, it was a peaceful vigil with unity and love and just compassion in people’s hearts for each other.”
Earlier in the evening, Porter reflected on how gatherings like this can help bring people together.
“There’s been a lot in this country over the past several years,” she said. “But this is a time of unity. People are coming together. It’s one way that people can continue to come together and put aside political differences and just unite.”
When asked how people could do that, Porter’s answer was clear. “Through love, kindness and a compassionate heart,” she said.
Faith over fear
Brown said his wife had expressed concerns about safety, but law enforcement was present to monitor the event. For him, the decision to proceed was rooted in faith.
“You’ve got to have faith over fear,” Brown said. “If right means love and peace, you need to represent that. You have to go in and you have to show your intentions. Hey, I’m calm. I’m peaceful. I love you. I want to pray for you. And if we can’t agree on anything else, at least we can give each other a hug and show that humanity still exists.”
Brown said he hoped the vigil would reflect Kirk’s spirit of dialogue.
“The biggest thing that I hope for aside from what the event is intended for is that maybe there is some diversity of people there and maybe it might show a little bit how much people truly care about this country,” he said. “Maybe we can stop throwing jabs and start throwing hugs, stop throwing hate and start throwing love.”
A message of accountability
In reflecting on Kirk’s influence, Brown said he had begun to view him as a model for accountability in daily life.
“I’ve told myself, did I act appropriately, would Charlie have done that,” he said. “Holding yourself accountable and accountability with changes is literally the word that could change the world right now.”
A night remembered
By the end of the evening, the courthouse square was glowing with candlelight as residents bowed their heads in silence, sang hymns, and prayed together.
Porter said what stood out most to her was the sense of togetherness. “Tonight was a reminder of unity and compassion,” she said. “That is what people will carry home.”
Brown thanked the crowd for coming and asked attendees to leave the space as they found it.
For Brown, the vigil was both a personal act of remembrance and a community demonstration of peace. “Despite everything, Huntsville always shows up,” he said.