Charlie Kirk vigil draws 400 to Cody City Park

CODY (WNE) — A candlelit vigil for recently assassinated public figure Charlie Kirk drew approximately 400 people to City Park Sunday night.

The event, organized by five Park County residents, featured two speakers: Vince Vanata and Cowboy Church pastor Pat Alphin.  

“Charlie Kirk engaged in social and political discourse.  It was his gift to engage with people from all backgrounds,” Vanata said during the event. “...Since Charlie was assassinated, we have not seen riots in the streets, we have not seen buildings being looted and burning. Instead we see people moving closer to God.”

 Following the event, Vanata said the turnout was a ‘powerful’ signal that people in the county were saddened by Kirk’s death and want to see change.

“It was a group of people who were all very peaceful.  There was no hate, there was no disgust,” Vanata said.  “It was nice to be around people like that.”

Alphin, who spoke directly after Vanata, spoke on the need for change in schools to prevent further political violence.

“When you take God out of something, Satan will fill the vacuum,” Alphin said. “That’s why we have chaos in our schools today.  That’s why we have young men like the one who shot Charlie Kirk– who got violent, because they have no direction. They have no moral anchor.”

Park County Democratic Party chair Ann Pasek, who did not attend the vigil, lauded Kirk’s commitment to free speech and having dialogue with those he disagreed with.

“I have no hatred for Charlie Kirk, I only disagree with him.  He had every right to say those things as free speech expression of his beliefs,” Pasek said.

This story was published on Sept. 22, 2025.