Carrying the mission forward: October 11 Legacy Rally to honor Charlie Kirk in Grand Junction

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice

One month after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, his message of faith and freedom is rallying new ground. On Saturday night, Turning Point USA will gather national speakers, local pastors and community leaders at the Mesa County Fairgrounds—marking both remembrance and renewed resolve.

Turning Point USA will bring national speakers and community leaders to Grand Junction on Saturday night for the Legacy Rally—set for 6 p.m. at the Mesa County Fairground grandstands. Set one month after Charlie Kirk’s death, the event is focused on helping Coloradans—especially youth—continue the mission he built his life around.

Organizers say donations will support the local TPUSA chapter at Colorado Mesa University. Security for the event will be handled by Citadel Security—with added support from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office. Attendees are encouraged to bring fewer bags to speed up entrance and to dress for mostly cloudy weather in the high 50s—there’s a slight chance of rain.

Will Witt—a two-time national bestselling author—and Anthony Watson—a 2018 Winter Olympian turned conservative commentator—will headline the evening. They’ll be joined by a roster of local leaders including Pastors Robert Babcox, Joe Tennyson, Dan Baker and Shaun Tatum. Cindy Ficklin, Dominique Jones, Mathias Mulumba and Bernadette Lake will also take the stage.

Mesa County lent its support to the rally early on. Commissioner Bobbie Daniel, a lead organizer, said the rally offers a moment to reconnect around shared values that hold weight in this community.

 “As commissioners, we wanted to personally support this event as a way for our community to come together — not only to remember Charlie, but to reflect on the kind of legacy he leaves behind.” She added, “So many people were touched by the way Charlie lived out his faith — how he built not only Turning Point, but a strong and loving family. He carried conviction and truth with humility, strength, and a genuine curiosity that drew others in. That is a special kind of legacy, and we want to honor that.”

Ficklin—a local advocate helping organize the rally—said the goal is to take Charlie Kirk’s legacy and turn it into real movement on the ground. “I am excited about being able to bring the community together to not only celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk but to carry forward his tremendous legacy of Faith, Family, Freedom and the First Amendment.” She continued, “This rally is more of a celebratory nature so we can continue to ignite this historical revival we are seeing across the county.”

Attendees can expect voter registration drives, fundraising for TPUSA at CMU, worship—and what Ficklin described as a night of “powerful speakers” with “national TPUSA influencers, with millions of followers… right here in our own hometown.” Ficklin also shared a short preview video of the rally on her Facebook page—where she encourages locals to show up in force.

Pastor Robert Babcox said Kirk’s impact reached far beyond political activism. “Charlie Kirk stood for freedom—not just from a conservative political standpoint, but freedom from a religious standpoint. He stood for freedom from sin and all that it brings. He stood for equality for all people, born and unborn.” Babcox added, “The mark Charlie Kirk left on this country is one of beauty, freedom, and dignity. I pray that this country will continue to fulfill those dreams that he had. I am very blessed that I have two mentors now: Dr. Martin Luther King and Charlie Kirk—because they both stood for the same thing.”

Bernadette Lake, speaking on behalf of the Truth & Liberty Coalition, said the rally represents a deeper opportunity for the church in western Colorado. “Truth & Liberty aims to educate, train, and connect believers to stand for truth in the public square, and we’d love to see Grand Junction and Mesa County do this.” She continued, “Our passion is to mobilize the church to engage with biblical truth—something Charlie Kirk did so well and so boldly. He was always a Christian first and foremost.” Lake added, “In Grand Junction and Mesa County, Truth & Liberty would love to see the churches, pastors, and Christians engage in civic mobilization and unify as one body.”

Organizers expect long lines, and with the security screening—are encouraging attendees to arrive early. Starting at 6 p.m., the rally takes place at Mesa County Fairgrounds grandstands, at 2785 US-50.

Supporters can bring a check to donate—made out to Turning Point USA at Colorado Mesa University.