The University of Tennessee‑Knoxville on Wednesday publicly condemned a set of flyers circulating on social media that appeared to celebrate the one‑year anniversary of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The flyers, which were shared widely by the Libs of TikTok account, advertised an 8 p.m. gathering on Sept. 10 at the HSS Lawn, an outdoor green space on the UT campus.
University statement
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a university spokesperson clarified that the institution is not sponsoring any event related to Kirk’s death and that no student organization has registered the HSS Lawn or any other reservable space for such a gathering. “The university is not sponsoring any event related to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and no organization has registered to use the HSS Lawn or any other reservable space for any such event,” the spokesperson said. “At this time, the university has not determined whether the flyers are connected to anyone affiliated with UT.”
The spokesperson added, “The University of Tennessee strongly condemns any message or activity that celebrates or makes light of violence or the loss of human life. We remain committed to ensuring our campus is a place that values civility and where human dignity is respected.”
Background on Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, the 31‑year‑old founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his “American Comeback Tour.” His death has sparked a wave of memorial activity among conservative students nationwide, some of which has taken a troubling tone.
Similar incidents at other campuses
University officials noted that comparable flyers have surfaced at other schools. At Georgetown University, students allegedly planned a “Kirk look‑alike contest” for the anniversary, a proposal that was shared on the anonymous platform Fizz and reportedly received thousands of upvotes. Georgetown’s Turning Point USA chapter provided screenshots to Fox News Digital, though the university has not confirmed any official involvement.
In a separate case, the University of South Carolina posted on social media that it has “no record of any registered student organization planning such an event” and that no university resources will be used to support a purported Kirk look‑alike contest scheduled for Thursday.
University response and next steps
UT‑Knoxville officials said they are monitoring the situation and will investigate the source of the flyers. The university emphasized its commitment to a safe, respectful campus environment and urged students to report any further attempts to organize events that glorify violence.
While the flyers have generated significant online attention, the university has not received any formal request to reserve the HSS Lawn for the alleged gathering. Campus police remain on standby to address any potential disturbances should an unauthorized gathering occur.
Community reaction
Students and faculty across the nation have expressed concern over the tone of the flyers, with many calling for a reaffirmation of civil discourse and respect for human life. The University of Tennessee’s swift condemnation aligns with broader calls from higher‑education leaders to reject any celebration of political violence.
As the anniversary approaches, university administrators continue to stress that any event held on campus must comply with institutional policies and uphold the values of civility and human dignity.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
