The brutal assassination of conservative thought leader and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through America, galvanizing a renewed fight for free speech—particularly on the nation’s increasingly radicalized college campuses.
Kirk, just 31 years old, was gunned down on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children. As law enforcement continues to investigate the politically charged killing, the conservative movement is already mobilizing in his honor.
One of the most visible responses has come from Seattle-based journalist and Turning Point USA affiliate Cameron Higby. Higby, who works with TPUSA’s FrontLines media outlet, has teamed up with political commentator David Khait to launch a new grassroots campus initiative called the “Fearless” Tour—a bold effort to continue Kirk’s mission of promoting free speech and exposing left-wing intolerance.
“It’s to show people that conservatives, and people in general, aren’t afraid to go out and talk about their beliefs in the public square,” Higby told Fox News Digital. “Even though Charlie sat behind a table just like ours and was shot and killed. We want to show that we’re not scared.”
On Monday, Higby and Khait set up their first booth at Georgia State University, donning MAGA hats and standing behind signs that read “Nobody should be killed for their opinions. RIP Charlie” and “Left is violent: Let’s debate.” By Tuesday, they had added another sign: “Men cannot be women: Let’s talk.”
The message was clear—debate is still possible, and conservatives will not be silenced through violence or intimidation.
Reactions on campus ranged from thoughtful engagement to outright hostility. Some students respectfully approached the booth to engage in discussion. Others were less tolerant. Viral videos posted online showed one man gloating over Kirk’s murder, calling him anti-LGBTQ and claiming he “deserved it.” Another mimicked a gunshot to the neck while mocking the tragedy.
“It’s very sad to see that kind of thing, especially from people who clearly know nothing about Charlie coming up and basically justifying his death,” Higby said.
Other incidents quickly escalated into aggression. One protester snatched Khait’s hat while a crowd erupted in cheers. Others attempted to seize their microphones, jumped on their table, and demanded they leave the campus altogether.
The hostile climate wasn’t confined to Georgia. Higby was recently attacked while covering a Seattle vigil for Kirk. Protesters there not only supported Kirk’s murder but physically assaulted Higby, breaking his smart glasses and punching him in the face.
“One of them grabs my phone out of my hand… then punched me in the face. And then the transgender person came up and punched me in the face. They literally smashed [my smart glasses] on my face. They’re completely destroyed,” he recalled.
Higby, who has extensively covered Antifa-related protests in the Pacific Northwest, is no stranger to violent confrontations. In June, he and Seattle journalist Brandi Kruse were attacked while reporting on a protest against immigration enforcement.
Still, despite these repeated assaults, Higby remains committed to his mission.
Encouragingly, he said that many students—even those who oppose conservative politics—have offered condolences and shown respect for Kirk’s life and work.
“I think that Charlie was almost a perfect reflection of the principles that this country was built on,” Higby said. “He actively sought out his opposition to have discussions with them and actively policed his own followers to behave and respect those people who disagreed with him.”
“People are sad because he represented what America stands for, and he was murdered doing it.”
Since Kirk’s tragic death, Turning Point USA has seen an overwhelming surge in support. The organization reports over 50,000 new inquiries from students and activists wanting to start campus chapters—a testament to Kirk’s far-reaching influence and the enduring hunger for open dialogue in the face of leftist suppression.
The Fearless Tour is set to expand across universities in Georgia and surrounding states in the coming weeks. Organizers say their goal is simple: to uphold Charlie Kirk’s legacy, protect the First Amendment, and ensure that conservative voices remain strong and unafraid—even in the most hostile environments.
As the battle over campus free speech continues to intensify, one thing is certain: the conservative movement isn’t retreating. It’s rising.
While debating that the left IS violent – they proved our point for us.
They:
-Stole our MAGA hats
-Tried to steal our mics
-jumped onto our table
-Demanded we leave
-Melted down@David_Khait pic.twitter.com/QyBC2Fg68I
— Cam Higby 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) September 16, 2025
