Charlie Kirk assassination allegedly mocked on campuses across country with celebrations, look-alike contests

Campus Events Mark First Anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Across the country, a string of events advertised on anonymous social‑media platforms are drawing attention to the one‑year mark of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. Kirk, the 31‑year‑old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 2025. In the weeks leading up to the anniversary, flyers and online posts have surfaced at dozens of colleges, some proposing look‑alike contests while others feature mocking slogans that have prompted swift condemnations from university officials.

NYU and Other Campuses Feature Look‑Alike Contests

The earliest reported event appeared on NYU’s Yik Yak feed. An anonymous user circulated an image of a flyer announcing a “KIRKAVERSARY C. KIRK LOOKALIKE CONTEST” at WSQ Park for 10 p.m. on Sept. 10. The posting offered a $5 prize and instructed participants to “BYOB.” NYU’s senior vice president for university relations, Wiley Norvell, said in a statement that “no recognized student group is organizing any such event, nor is one taking place in an NYU building or space. University resources would never be used in this way. We are reporting these posts for misusing NYU’s name. We strongly condemn any elevation of political violence.”

Similar look‑alike contests were advertised at Georgetown University and the University of South Carolina. At Georgetown, screenshots of a post on the campus‑specific platform Fizz showed a contest drawing thousands of upvotes, according to a report by Fox News Digital. USC’s apparent event, posted on Yik Yak, promised a $50 prize and the tagline “Be there or be square.” Both institutions issued statements denying any official involvement. USC’s response to a Libs of TikTok post read, “We have no record of any registered student organization planning such an event. No university resources will be used to support this.” Georgetown similarly said it had “seen no activity on campus related to these posts” and that no student organization was hosting the event.

University of Maine, Nebraska‑Lincoln, Tennessee‑Knoxville and Rochester Institute of Technology

The University of Maine also saw anonymous posts on Yik Yak referencing the anniversary. The university confirmed that a Turning Point USA chapter held an approved event on campus that evening, with UMaine police present for safety. In a statement, the school emphasized that “the university does not operate or control” Yik Yak and that any credible threats are investigated. The post included slogans such as “HAPPY KIRKIVERSARY!!!! TODAY IS A GREAT DAY!!!” and “Carotid arteries out for Charlie Kirk!” as well as an image of a man with neck pain.

At the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln, flyers were taped to bus stops and featured offensive language, including “REST IN PISS FOREVER MISS” and “THE MASTERBAITER.” A university spokesperson said the institution had “no indication that anyone affiliated with the university is responsible for the creation and/or distribution of the flyers” and condemned messages that make light of violence.

The University of Tennessee‑Knoxville also denounced flyers that advertised a “Kirkaversery” gathering and included the phrase “WE WILL CELEBRATE THE FIRST NEW YEAR AK (AFTER KIRK).” The school stated that it “does not condone or support messages making light of violence or the loss of life.”

Rochester Institute of Technology reported flyers for a “CHARLIE KIRK LOOKALIKE COMPETITION” at the Kate Gleason dorm quad, offering a $10 prize plus “FAME + TROPHY.” The posting noted that the contest was not affiliated with RIT. The university had not yet responded to requests for comment at the time of the report.

Democratic Student Group Plans Protest at Utah Valley University

A Democratic student organization announced plans to protest a memorial being held at Utah Valley University, the site of Kirk’s assassination. The group’s statement said the protest was intended to “highlight the circumstances surrounding the killing and to advocate for broader discussions on campus safety and free speech.” UVU officials have not released additional details about the memorial or the demonstration.

UNC Charlotte and Other Campuses Respond

UNC Charlotte issued a statement saying the university “did not generate these messages” and that the posts originated on Yik Yak, an anonymous platform over which the school has no control. The university added that it “does not condone the posts” and that any credible threats would be reviewed and addressed.

University Responses and Safety Measures

Across the institutions, officials have emphasized that the controversial posts are not sanctioned by any official student group or university resources. Many have opened investigations into the origins of the flyers and online content, pledged to work with law‑enforcement if credible threats arise, and reminded students that the platforms where the posts appear are independent third‑party services.

The spread of these events and flyers highlights a widening divide on college campuses as students and alumni mark the anniversary of Kirk’s death. While some are using humor or satire to comment on the tragedy, others view the posts as unacceptable celebrations of political violence. University administrators are balancing free‑speech considerations with the responsibility to maintain a safe environment for all community members.