American University students are opposing an upcoming “Candlelight Vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk,” organized by AU College Republicans and approved by the administration. A petition circulated this week argues that the event endangers marginalized students and conflicts with AU policy and past administrative decisions.
AU enrolls about 13,000 students. According to the 2024–25 Academic Data Reference, the undergraduate body is roughly 56% white, 14% Hispanic/Latino, 8% Black, 7% Asian, 6% multiracial, with less than 1% identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. About 62% of students identify as female. While AU promotes itself as an affirming place for LGBTQ+ students, official statistics on that population are not publicly reported.
Student critics say those demographics underscore the problem. Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator who died on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 , was known for inflammatory rhetoric. He publicly called for the stoning of gay people, minimized school shootings, questioned the competence of Black professionals, and said he would force his own 10-year-old daughter to carry a pregnancy from rape.
“American University is a heavily queer university, nearly half of its campus is non-white, and is majority female—all groups that Charlie Kirk encouraged violence towards. Mr. Kirk, throughout his life, stood for everything the American University student body doesn’t,” wrote student Sam Geurtsen-Shoemate in the petition. The document, signed by students, alumni, and campus organizations, calls on AU to cancel the vigil. Geurtsen-Shoemate’s letter argues that the event violates AU’s Freedom of Expression and Expressive Conduct policy, which prohibits expression that violates anti-discrimination or sexual misconduct rules, and contradicts AU’s non-discrimination statement.
Geurtsen-Shoemate also pointed to precedent. In November 2024, the administration blocked a Gaza solidarity sukkah. Earlier in October of that year, Students for Justice in Palestine held a vigil on the Quad to read the names of Palestinians and Lebanese killed in the conflict. That event, which coincided with AU Hillel’s Unity Dinner, was met with police presence and administrators warning students about protest code of conduct violations, according to The Eagle.
For some students, those incidents suggest that AU is willing to act when specific communities raise safety concerns. They now ask why similar concerns from queer students, students of color, and religious minorities are not being treated the same way.
In an interview, Geurtsen-Shoemate framed the petition as less about Charlie Kirk and more about AU’s broader responsibilities. “This vigil has created a window for the AU community to demand that the university uphold its own policies and values,” he said. “Kirk was an awful human being, and attempts to whitewash his life are disturbing, but ultimately this is just a window of opportunity to focus on AU’s hypocritical and discriminatory speech policy.”
When asked whether AU values some students’ safety over others, he argued that financial interests are at play: “AU is ultimately a business, and the most profitable move is not to upset trustees and the federal government. That means allowing right-wing and Zionist speech, while blocking left-wing and anti-Zionist speech. But students still have power—through protest, petitions, and financial leverage. If AU refuses to correct its awful free speech policy, it should not expect alumni donations in the future. I know they won’t be getting a dime from me.”
The petition concludes by demanding that the administration immediately halt the vigil. It warns that students will respond with protest and possible litigation if not.
As of publication, American University’s administration has not issued a response.
