Nicholls’ Turning Point USA chapter hosted a vigil for Charlie Kirk, a deceased conservative commentator, which drew a protest on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The event was organized by members of Nicholls’ Turning Point USA chapter and sponsored by We the People Bayou Community — a conservative organization based in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes.

Leading Up to the Event

Preparations for the event began at 10 a.m., when Talbot Hall closed to the public.

University and Thibodaux Police arranged barricades across the street from Talbot Hall for protesters to stand behind.

According to University Police, the event organizers requested security for the event.

Yik Yak, an anonymous social media app used by Nicholls’ students, featured numerous posts calling for protests leading up to the vigil.

Others questioned the event’s relevance to Nicholls’ campus.

“[Charlie Kirk] has no place on our campus–which he did not visit, speak about, or know about,” one user wrote. “Protest.”

During the Event

Joseph Todd, an attendee of the event, said that he had no issue with there being protesters.

“I support the right of freedom of speech, even for the protesters outside,” Todd said. “This event is for the protests of rights.”

He said that the vigil was not about one man; it was about a message.

“We support open debate, and we love everyone,” Todd said. “That’s what’s great about America.”

Todd said he attended the vigil to support his nephew, Jacob Todd, president of Nicholls’ Turning Point USA chapter.

“Today is about students coming together not just to mourn, but to understand the principles of supporting conversation and civil debates on campus,” Jacob Todd said. “We must never lose the sense of freedom of speech for all students on campus.”

Jerry Dupre, a local pastor of Live Oak Baptist in Point-Aux-Chenes, was invited to speak at the event.

He posted on Facebook one day prior, acknowledging the pushback the event was receiving online.

“The opposition to TPUSA (Turning Point) in South Louisiana is every bit as real as it is for the rest of the country,” Dupre said. “The threats and intimidation from radicalized God-rejecting leftist students and teachers seem to be ratcheting up more so than ever.”

Sen. Michael Fési, R-La., also spoke at the vigil.

He related to the thoughts of Dupre and criticized what he called “woke ideology” in higher education.

“Transgender stuff is the most ridiculous stuff I’ve ever heard,” Fési said. “And it’s not our universities that are the problem–it’s the people working at the universities that’s the problem.”

The Protest

Outside Talbot Hall, students gathered behind barricades to protest during the event.

Adrianna Duvios, a premed major, said that by allowing the event, Nicholls has associated with Kirk’s views. She said permitting the vigil to take place reflects poorly on the university.

“There are a lot of black and LGBTQ+ students on campus,” Duvios said. “I don’t see why Nicholls would allow this.”

The group of protesters added that while a vigil was held on campus for Kirk, Trey Reed, a Black student who was found hanging from a tree at the Delta State University campus last month, received no memorial service.

Some of the protesters said that once they arrived on the scene, they were instructed to remain behind the barricade. 

“We tried to stand on the sidewalk,” Duvios said. “The police told us to stand behind the barricade or they were going to ask us to leave.”

The event concluded at 3:50 p.m. with no interruption. Once the event ended, Dupre approached the protesters and began an open discourse about gay rights.

The conversation concluded peacefully, and security dispersed. No incidents were reported.