Image: Charlie Kirk vigil in Gallatin, Tennessee Image Credit: @Riley_Gaines_/X
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
While vigils and prayer gatherings have been popping up all over the state in remembrance and honor of Charlie Kirk, Morristown, Tennessee officials denied a permit request from a civilian organizer, claiming the desired space cannot be used for religious or political purposes.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Brad Tumey requested to hold a prayer vigil on the city’s downtown green space on Friday, Sept. 19, but was told it would likely not be approved as a local ordinance prohibits “political or religious activities on the premises.” Tumey still submitted the permit application, which remains pending at the time of this writing.
Tumey is now represented by First Liberty Institute, a legal organization dedicated to exclusively defending religious liberty, which sent a letter to Morristown Mayor Gary Chesney, Assistant City Manager Andrew Ellard, and City Attorney Lauren Carroll asking the officials to allow the vigil to proceed, “hoping to secure this relief without resorting to litigation.”
“The City’s blanket ban on religious activity abridges both his (I) freedom of speech and (II) the free exercise of his religion,” the letter states.
The Institute also contends the city may be in violation of the Tennessee Religious Freedom Restoration Act (TRFRA), which “prohibits any government entity from ‘substantially burdening a person’s free exercise of religion’” with extremely limited exceptions. It also addresses seeming discrepancies in the city’s policy which would theoretically allow a private business to host a team building exercise but not let a local church organize a similar gathering.
“To resolve this concern, Tumey requires the City approve his permit application or otherwise allow him to organize a public prayer vigil on the downtown green on Friday, September 19, 2025. Given the selected date for this vigil, we respectfully request that you respond to this letter in writing no later than end of business day Thursday, September 18, 2025. If we do not hear from you by this date, we will assume the City intends to continue with its unconstitutional banishment of Tumey’s prayer vigil, leaving legal action his sole recourse,” it concludes.
In response, Assistant City Manager Andrew Ellard told The Washington Times via email that the city has not fully reviewed the letter or permit application for Friday, and noted that permit requests are usually submitted at least 30 days in advance.
He also wrote that regardless, the space would be unavailable on Friday as the area would supposedly be in transition from its daytime use as a farmers’ market to preparations for a Saturday event “that has been on the calendar for several months.”
“The city neither permits nor denies the right of individuals to peacefully assemble. Several public parks in the immediate vicinity of downtown are also well equipped for such assemblies,” Ellard maintained. “We also join in grieving the loss of Charlie Kirk and any other such lapse as we have seen in our nation’s sense of civility. The community needs opportunities to come together, and we are thankful for those in the Morristown area that have organized such gatherings to honor others and pray for all.”
Meanwhile, thousands upon thousands are gathering across other Tennessee cities, with many venues and parks being filled to capacity for their memorials.
In Gallatin, over 2,000 people attended a vigil where speakers included Sumner County Mayor John Isbell and activist Riley Gaines. “God is moving,” Gaines said of the event.
Collierville Town Square in Shelby County had “no more room” as “well over 1,000 people [worshiped] Jesus and [remembered] Charlie Kirk,” per KWAM News Radio.
Organizers for the Franklin event estimated attendance to be over 3,000 as community members remembered not only Charlie Kirk but also paid tribute to Iryna Zarutska, who was stabbed in the neck by a career criminal and bled out while commuting on public transportation in North Carolina.
And numbers were reported to be at least 1,000 in Murfreesboro where attendees gathered to mourn together and focus on prayer and reflection.
The Nashville Young Republicans, Ashland City, and Middle Tennessee State University have all hosted their own vigils, each drawing a significant crowd.
More services and vigils are expected leading up to Charlie Kirk’s official memorial service scheduled for Sunday, Sep. 21 at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
Is Morristown ran by dimmercraps? If there was an event scheduled, I understand, but looks like there would be somewhere there for this.
No, by illegal alien loving RINOS. They are eat up with them in Morristown. More likely to hear Spanish than English in that town. Get on Google maps street view and cruise down Buffalo Trail / Cumberland and see for yourself if you can tell which country you are in. School system is 40% Hispanic and up to 60% in some schools.