Conservatives rally around revival message after Kirk’s murder, slam Dems for violent George Floyd riots

Conservatives are rallying around a message of revival in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, with insiders arguing the right’s response stands in stark contrast to how the left reacted to George Floyd’s death and other high-profile police-related cases. At a packed memorial in Phoenix, Erika Kirk, the activist’s widow, described a path forward rooted in prayer and renewal rather than upheaval.

A man listens during a worship song before the start of a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

In the remarks that circulated from the event, Erika Kirk said, "After Charlie's assassination, we didn't see violence. We didn't see rioting. We didn't see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country. We saw revival." She described the gathering as evidence of a movement grounded in faith, not anger. Two commentators who spoke to Fox News Digital underscored the contrast between what they described as disciplined, peace-oriented observances on the right and the violent episodes that accompanied some Democratic-backed critiques of policing in the past.

"Let’s be blunt: when Charlie Kirk was assassinated, conservatives didn’t riot, loot or torch cities," Mehek Cooke, an RNC surrogate and attorney, told Fox News Digital. "As Erika said, we gathered, we prayed and we embraced revival. That’s the difference between the Right and the Left – and it’s clear as day. Conservatives don’t respond with destruction, because our movement is fueled by faith, not rage." She argued the left’s responses to the Floyd case and related events featured protests that turned destructive in many locales.

The memorial and surrounding events have been described by organizers and participants as one of the largest gatherings for a private citizen, underscoring the logistical and emotional scale of Kirk’s influence for a generation of young conservatives.

Brilyn Hollyhand, a 19-year-old political commentator who was close to Kirk, told Fox News Digital that when he learned of the assassination his first impulse wasn't to engage in protests or vandalism. "My first thought was prayer—prayer for his soul, his family and his team," Hollyhand said. "Then, during the stages of grief, when I grew frustrated that my friend was murdered just for his political beliefs, I didn’t dye my hair blue, get a nose ring and grab a bullhorn—I wanted to do something effective with that frustration." Hollyhand said he would be partnering with Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the organization founded by Kirk, to speak on 10 campuses this upcoming semester as a way to advance Kirk’s commitment to civil discourse.

The broader conservative response has included vigils and memorials across the country, with participants emphasizing a call for peaceful remembrance and civic engagement. Some memorials reportedly faced vandalism from opponents, a point cited by supporters as evidence of a hostile climate toward Kirk’s philosophy of dialogue and limited-government activism.

The contrast with the 2020 Floyd protests has been a recurring theme in conservative commentary. Floyd’s death sparked weeks of protests in Minneapolis and other cities, some of which devolved into property damage and looting. Critics have argued that the protests contributed to substantial economic harm in urban centers and that there was political rhetoric that at times downplayed or reframed the violence. Fox News Digital previously reported estimates of hundreds of millions of dollars in damages tied to those events, and commentators have linked those episodes to ongoing national debates about policing, public safety, and political rhetoric.

In the wake of Kirk’s death, the conversation has shifted toward a faith-centered narrative about national unity and moral responsibility. Erika Kirk highlighted the spiritual dimension of the moment, praising what she described as forgiveness in the face of tragedy. "Our Savior said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' That young man... I forgive him, because it was what Christ did, and it's what Charlie would do," she told the crowd, drawing a standing ovation.

Those reflections come as Kirk’s supporters outline plans to extend his legacy through campus engagements. Hollyhand said he would participate in a slate of campus visits organized with TPUSA to discuss civil discourse, character, and service-oriented activism. The organizers emphasized that the effort aims to keep Kirk’s conversation-focused approach alive amid a polarized political climate.

On the political front, the debate over how protests should be shaped and governed remains contentious. Some opponents of Kirk’s movement have argued that peaceful civic engagement can coexist with expressive protests, while others have criticized certain demonstrations as undermining public safety or economic stability. The current discourse also touches on funding and policing policies, including debates over how federal and local resources are deployed in response to immigration and crime.

Earlier this year, Los Angeles saw protests over federal immigration policy that local officials described as peaceful at times, yet critics estimated substantial costs to taxpayers. Fox News Digital reported that the events tied to those demonstrations cost taxpayers at least $32 million, highlighting the ongoing tension between civil demonstrations and public expense.

The Kirk memorial also included references to the suspect in Kirk’s killing. Erika Kirk described the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, in personal terms and asked for unity and forgiveness. She said Kirk wanted to reach young men like Robinson, and that her husband would have urged mercy in the face of tragedy.

As campuses and communities continue to reflect on Kirk’s life, organizers emphasize that the mission is not to promote division but to foster dialogue. The memorials have also served as a focal point for conversations about faith, civic responsibility, and the ways political movements should respond to violence and tragedy. Supporters stress the importance of maintaining peaceful forms of expression while continuing to advocate for policies aligned with Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and civil discourse.

The conversation surrounding Kirk’s death and the response to it is closely watched as a proxy for broader national debates about the role of faith in public life, the limits of political rhetoric, and how communities choose to grieve and move forward. Tyler Robinson’s case will likely remain a point of reference for discussions about accountability, forgiveness, and the impact of political leadership on individual actions. The memorials and campus events mark an early, symbolic stage in what supporters say will be a long-running effort to translate grief into constructive civic engagement, guided by Kirk’s belief in dialogue over destruction.

As the movement evolves, some observers expect the discourse to center on how to balance passionate political activism with commitments to public safety and economic stability. In Phoenix and at other gathering sites, the dialogue appears set to prioritize faith-driven renewal, the value of civil discourse, and the idea that political engagement can be grounded in respect and nonviolence while still pursuing change.

The legacy of Charlie Kirk, his supporters say, will shape conservative activism for years to come, guiding how campaigns, campus dialogues, and community service are pursued in a political landscape that remains deeply polarized. The memorials and ongoing campus events are cited as evidence that, for many conservatives, the emphasis remains on faith-led revival and constructive civic participation rather than confrontational demonstrations. As the country processes the aftermath of a high-profile political tragedy, the question remains how this revival will interact with the evolving debates over policing, public safety, and the appropriate scope of political expression in a divided nation.