Image Credit: Charlie Kirk / Facebook & Libs of TikTok / X.
Article by Olivia Lupia, Tennessee Conservative News –
While many across the nation were remembering Charlie Kirk one year after his martyrdom on September 10, 2025, by paying tribute to his legacy and impact on the country, some students at University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) elected to instead host an event dubbed a “Kirkaversary” to celebrate the first year after Kirk’s murder.
News of the event first started circulating on Sept. 9, with national watchdog Libs of TikTok showing flyers that were posted all over campus calling students to gather on the HHS Lawn at 8PM on 9/10 to “celebrate the first new year AK (After Kirk).”
Libs of TikTok divulged a second scoop hours later as messages were discovered in the UTKnoxville Yik Yak chat anticipating the event and planning other ways to mock Kirk’s assassination.
“Who wanna let me give them a hickey for Kirkaversary right where the bullet was?” wrote one person.
Another posted, “Guys the world is healing! Charlie Kirk hasn’t said anything hateful in a year! So proud of him.”
“Start partying on the 10th for Charlie then we transition into 9/11 party,” read a third post.
As these images spread, Tennessee leaders and lawmakers began condemning the event, with some reportedly attempting to contact the school and ensure it was not being facilitated or encouraged by UTK.
Rep. Jason Zachary said on social media the evening of Sep. 9, “I contacted UT leadership to address as soon as this was brought to my attention. No group has requested space on campus for an event. The is not from any sanctioned UT club/organization. Leadership is still investigating & will take action tomorrow as needed.”
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett posted a video on the 9th, saying he found the plans to celebrate “so disgusting and so distasteful. I talked to the university, of course, about it, and honestly, they can’t do anything about it, it’s a First Amendment issue. Actually, the university was one that invited Charlie to come speak, UT Knoxville, and it just shows the disgusting level of depravity of people in this world. I guess my first impulse is that I hate these people, but then I think as a Christian I feel sorry for them and I pray for them, because they are completely lost in this world. And that is the saddest thing of all, that they find some joy or fulfillment in this.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn said she reached out to UT leadership and was “confident they will do everything they can to ensure reverence on the anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s horrific murder.”
But it appears that confidence may have been misplaced as group of students still gathered the next night, though the university confirmed it was “not sponsoring any even related to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and no organization has registered to use the HSS Lawn or any other reservable space for any such event.”
A school spokesperson added, “The University of Tennessee strongly condemns any message or activity that celebrates or makes light of violence or the loss of human life. We remain committed to ensuring our campus is a place that values civility and where human dignity is respected.”
Images and videos of the gathering show a crowd of about a couple hundred students reveling at Kirk’s death amid rock music, dancing, and cheers. One video shows an individual pantomiming the bullet striking Kirk and blood spurting from his neck.
“I did not support Charlie Kirk while he was alive,” said one student in attendance. “It’s less a celebration that he’s gone and more like it’s nice to see we’re all together here when I feel like he wanted so much for us to be divided.”
Some reports indicate the Vice President of the college Democrats at UTK was responsible for the “Kirkaversary” celebration, with the student encouraging others to join the school’s chapter of the National Ground Game (a Democrat counter to Turning Point USA) for “more anti-Republican shenanigans.”
The school had not issued any statements following the gathering at the time of this writing. And UTK isn’t the only college campus involved in a “Kirkaversary”, as other similar events and group chats have been reported around the country.
A thread from Harvard contained messages wishing readers, “Happy Kirkaversary to all who celebrate,” and wondering “Where’s the party [tonight], I wanna black out to feel how Kirk felt 1 year ago to honor his legacy.”
Leftists at University of Florida disrupted a vigil while the TPUSA chapter at University of South Carolina encountered a grotesque “lookalike contest” right outside their memorial event.
On the flip side, Republicans at the inaugural Republican midterm convention in Dallas offered a heartfelt tribute to Kirk, saving the conservative icon a seat, showing a five-minute memorial video, and unveiling a bronze statue of Kirk sitting and holding a microphone. At TPUSA headquarters in Arizona, another statue of Kirk was installed on Sept. 10 to honor and preserve his legacy.
“He’s with his savior and Lord, so I do have peace knowing that he is in a better place. But we do miss him, and we will mourn him forever,” said TPUSA chief marketing officer Marina Minas.
Sources:
WATE.
Multiple posts on X.com.
Libs of Tik Tok.
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.
One Response
Ah yes…The Tolerate Loving Leftists…as long as you agree with them. It’s funny how I was just reading an article about universities shutting down conservative and Christian student groups.
That’s it folks, just keep BLINDLY sending your kids to these institutions and paying them insane amounts of money.
If this country is so horrible, why don’t they go to the Communists Socialists country of their choice? See ya…Good Bye!