A vigil in memory of slain conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people to the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton Monday night.

The crowd was somber and came to sing Christian hymns, talk about Kirk's and their own faith and listen to speakers praise Kirk, who often spoke and debated on college campuses advocating for American exceptionalism and President Donald Trump's policies.

“This is a revival, because that’s what Charlie would want,” Catawba Valley Tea Party President Larry Barger, who was one of the organizers of the event, said.

Barger said, “Charlie could ignite a fire in the hearts of countless youth, encouraging them to engage with courage, think critically and to shape a future rooted in principal.”

Barger estimated the crowd at

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