Bob Kasarda

Vigils held over the weekend in LaPorte and Valparaiso drew out large numbers of people to remember conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down Wednesday during a speaking engagement on the campus of Utah Valley University.

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and Portage Mayor Austin Bonta were among those who spoke at the vigil outside the county courthouse in downtown Valparaiso.

"Charlie Kirk’s assassination has shocked, saddened and indeed angered many of us," said Porter County Republican Party Chairman Nate Uldricks, who organized the event.

"While we are one of the big political parties, my intention with tonight's vigil is not for it to be political — like a rally of some sort — but more so a moment of prayer and mourning and reflection," he said in a prepared s

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