Thousands turn out to Cadillac Ranch in Southington for vigil honoring Charlie Kirk

SOUTHINGTON, CT. (WFSB) - Thousands of people paid tribute to Charlie Kirk at the Cadillac Ranch in Southington after his death last week.

Some attending had driven over an hour to show their support for the influential republican activist.

“It shouldn’t have happened. This is our show of support,” said Dane Morrissey, Norwalk.

“He was a very big figure. He was really important the entire republican and new movement that we got going on,” said Michael Torres, Woodbury. “For all the fellow Nutmegger’s out here, it’s good to see the rest of the people who were affected and support this kind of stuff.”

Speakers shared the impact Kirk had on their lives and said a prayer for his family.

The Connecticut GOP party helped organize the vigil.

“It was important to talk to people to talk to people. To do what Charlie did. Prove me wrong, here’s my position, prove me wrong, tell me why. Get off your phone, get off of social media, and have conversations because when we do that, we bring the humanity back into the conversation. We bring the person back into the conversation,” said Ben Proto, Chair, Connecticut Republican Party.

The non-profit organization that Kirk founded, Turning Point USA, is having an event at UConn on Tuesday.

In the wake of the tragedy, they have had calls to open a number of new chapters across the state.