Masked protesters crash vigil for Charlie Kirk on Massachusetts State House steps

Flint McColgan and Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald on Sep 18, 2025

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BOSTON — A clash of political beliefs played out on the steps of the State House, where a vigil for Charlie Kirk was infiltrated by protesters spewing obscenity-laced chants.

The police kept both sides separated as the vigil for Kirk ended a few hours after dusk Thursday.

“We gather not only to honor Charlie’s leadership and his unwavering voice for America, but to stand together as proud patriots committed to faith, freedom, and our great nation,” the vigil’s host, Brian Foley, a former candidate for Boston City Council, posted of the event.

The protesters, many wearing masks, can be heard singing in unison: “No justice, no peace! (Expletive) these racist-ass police!”

Someone on the vigil side of the fence shouted back: “You’re the fascists, all of you.” With another saying, “Illegal immigrants are illegal.

Meanwhile, the candles are out at the Kirk vigil that has moved near the steps of the State House, where “God bless America” is playing on a loudspeaker.

The protesters, some lugging a banner that reads “Anti-Fascist Action,” have moved to the street near the State House.

The vigil is planned for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Although the original location is listed as the gazebos, organizers moved the location to the steps in front of the State House.

An anti-Kirk comedian standing outside with a megaphone said that the slain conservative advocate once said that “empathy is a made-up, new age word … Empathy — well, he sure didn’t catch any with that rifle, did he, folks?”

Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10 during an outdoor appearance at Utah Valley University just after noontime by suspected shooter 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, police say. Robinson has since been charged with capital murder.

So far, no violence has been witnessed at the Boston vigil.

Foley described the vigil in honor of the slain conservative speaker as a “symbol of American strength, tradition, and the fight to preserve our liberties.”

The event will include prayer, guest speakers and an opportunity to write a letter to leave at the State House, said former vice chair of operations and digital media in the 2024 Trump campaign Chester Tam.

Some of the speakers could not be heard clearly, with one person at the vigil yelling out “You gotta crank up the mic!”

“Republicans in Greater Boston are coming together to mourn the loss of Charlie Kirk,” the MassGOP stated of the event. “Please bring candles or flashlights as we pause to celebrate his life.”

There will be “a heightened security presence” starting at 5 p.m., Tam said, encouraging attendees to make it a “peaceful and meaningful evening.”

“The Boston Police Department has assured us that if any disruptions come up, they’ll handle it through their standard process, starting with polite requests for protesters to move along and only making arrests if those warnings are ignored,” Tam posted on X. “Please don’t engage with any protesters.”