FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Days after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, hundreds filled the public square in downtown Franklin for a prayer vigil to honor his life and call for unity and an end to political violence.

"We're better than that as Americans and we really need to come together and look forward on how we can become a more unified country and just be better people,” Williamson County Commissioner Lisa Hayes told News 2.

Organizers remembered not only Kirk's life, but also paid tribute to Iryna Zarutska, an immigrant who was stabbed to death while riding public transportation in North Carolina and Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband who were shot and killed three months ago.

“We can’t keep going as we have been. Innocent people are being killed and harassed, threatened; and being a public servant, it is in the forefront of my mind," Hayes added. "I ran for the people, so I represent the people and it's always in the forefront of my mind. You never know who is going to be out there, so we need to all take a deep breath and let's just agree to disagree and not bring violence into the conversation."

Sunday's vigil included music, prayer and several speeches honoring Kirk's legacy, commitment to free speech and impact on conservative youth activism across the United States.

“We figured we'd have 3-, 400 people maybe show up for a prayer vigil, and then it just started snowballing,” local minister Brian Russell, who helped organize the vigil, said.

Similar events have also been planned and hosted across the region including in Mt. Juliet, Gallatin, Murfreesboro and beyond.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/franklin-charlie-kirk-vigil/