BERKELEY – A couple hundred people came to Veterans Park in Bayville for a candlelit vigil against political violence which highlighted the most recent victim of it.
A small tribute with candles was placed near the bandstand, honoring Charlie Kirk. On one side of the stage was a poster of Kirk with the years 1993-2025. On the other side was a poster shared by two women: Iryna Zarutska and Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman.
While it was a somber event, it was also a celebration of Kirk’s life, said attendee Helena DeBoer of Bayville. “It was a celebration of someone who loved Jesus Christ, someone who loved his family and someone who loved his fellow man. He gave a voice to so many young people.”
The event opened with other voices by young people – the National Anthem sung by members of the Central Regional High School choir. This was followed by an introductory sermon by Berkeley’s Shawn Hyland.
Jarrett Branch, who is the regional director for Turning Point USA, the group founded by Kirk, spoke about the man he was.
“Even the people who didn’t agree with him – he loved them,” Branch said. “He was the type of guy who knew everybody’s name and wanted to make sure you were OK.”
As a black man, Branch addressed criticisms of Kirk being racist, saying that he judged people on their merit.
“We’re not black. We’re not white. We’re Americans who happen to be black or white,” he said.
After Kirk’s death, there were a lot of quotes going around purporting to show his sexism. For example, on his podcast, he said to Taylor Swift (who was not there) “Reject feminism. Submit to your husband, Taylor. You’re not in charge.”
Branch said that Kirk was quoting Ephesians, in a segment that calls for the wife to submit to her husband. A few sentences later, Branch said, it calls for the husband to love his wife as he loves Jesus.
George Gilmore, Chairman of the Ocean County Republican Organization, hosted the event.
“We don’t want any political violence, regardless of any political party,” Gilmore said.
He noted that America has a history of political violence. Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy were assassinated. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luthor King, Jr. were also assassinated. There were several attempts at presidential assassinations, the most recent of course was Trump.
He talked about Iryna Zarutska, a refugee who fled the Russian invasion in her home country of Ukraine, only to be murdered on a train in North Carolina.
The two federal congressmen who represent the area also spoke.
Congressman Chris Smith (R-4th) noted how Kirk’s widow, Erika, forgave his murderer, just as Jesus on the cross forgave his killers.
“(Kirk) was absolutely committed to non-violence and to treating everyone with respect,” Smith said.
“Political assassination is the ultimate act of violence, disrespect and cowardice,” he said. “This past June, Minnesota State Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were assassinated – again, by a coward.
“Violence is never justified. Never,” he said.
Congressman Jefferson Van Drew (R-2nd) used the stage as an opportunity to shore up support for himself. His speech contained popular GOP talking points, such as noting prosecutors being supported by George Soros; the crime in Washington, D.C.; and USAID spending money on an opera in Columbia where the main character is transgender.
“They call me a Nazi, a racist, a misogynist, and a coward,” Van Drew said of his detractors, but he said he just speaks the truth, like Kirk, and “the truth will set you free.”
The 9th District state legislators took their turns at the microphone.
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf called the crowd patriots. He said that in the course of America’s history, other countries have seen us grow to be a powerhouse that steers the world, supporting the oppressed.
He also noted how Kirk’s widow forgave the killer. “That’s who we are as a nation.”
“As we leave here today, let’s not forget the reasons we’re the greatest nation the world has ever seen and we never lose sight of the commonalities we share,” he said.
Assemblyman Gregory Myhre referred to an assassin as a single evildoer who overpowers the votes of millions. “The world changes – and not in a way the killer intended.”
“Thoughts and prayers matter,” he said. Thoughts lead to action. “We pray to God so he can work in ways we can’t.”
“The assassin may kill the messenger but he can’t kill the message,” he said, noting that scores of new Turning Point chapters opened after Kirk’s death.
“Be like Charlie: start the conversation and drop the facts,” he said. “Speaking your mind and praying to God should never make you a target.”
“In my years of public service, I’ve seen how much our democracy depends on trust and respect, Senator Carmen Amato said. “Violence destroys that trust – it silences voices and divides communities. But those we remember tonight are not defined by tragedy; they are remembered for their courage, their service, and their commitment to something greater than themselves.”
“Let their light guide us forward – to reject hate, to treat one another with dignity, and to ensure that our differences are never met with violence,” he said. “May God bless the lives we honor tonight, and may He bless our community and our nation.”
County Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione welcomed elected officials in the crowd.
“Everything in our life is out in the public,” she said. It causes public figures to be worried about ridicule and even assassination.
“It’s a shame we live in a free country and we can’t say what we want to say,” she said.
Berkeley Mayor John Bacchione, her husband, said that everyone gathered there that night are sharing their sorrow, but also their hope. He asked them to reflect on Kirk, “someone whose bravery cost him his life.”
“This evening is about change,” he said, looking forward to a time when “political speech is not met with violence. Let us hold each other in kindness.”
Sean Denning, Jr., president of the Ocean County Young Republicans, said organizations have been working with youth across the country in order to galvanize the next generation against hate and violence.
“The only way to silence this hatred is to keep shouting the truth,” he said.
It was as much a political rally as well, with Gilmore criticizing an opposition Republican who sent out a text saying that the event had been postponed.
Berkeley Councilman James Byrnes spoke up in favor of the two congressmen.
The last speaker was Stafford Councilman Sergio Fossa, a pastor.
“Charlie Kirk was murdered because Charlie Kirk spoke the truth,” he said. “Truth is to bring people from confusion to order. Jesus was killed because he would not stop speaking the truth.”
He said that “we will always remember Charlie Kirk, Iryna, and Melissa…Hortman I think her last name is.”
The Republican nominee for governor, Jack Ciattarelli, was invited but could not attend.
Zarutska wasn’t a victim of political violence as she was not attacked for her beliefs. Her accused killer was allegedly schizophrenic and attacked her for no discernible reason.
The photogenic young woman has been used as a poster girl for the Republican push to strengthen law enforcement because the suspect had a lengthy criminal history. They see her death as a failing on the part of the system meant to keep people safe.
Days after the vigil, this newspaper reached out to Gilmore to inquire about Zarutska.
“As Republicans, we can’t just oppose political violence aimed at Republicans, we have to oppose violence against everyone,” he said. Zarutska was an example of violence that can target anyone – even a random person who was attacked indiscriminately.
