The United States of America was founded as a nation built on God-given, unalienable rights. Chief among these are the rights to free speech, a free press, peaceful assembly, petition, and the free exercise of religion. All citizens of the United States of America  and, we believe, people around the world  deserve to keep these rights and hold them dear to their hearts.

Today, a newly widowed wife rises without her husband, and two wonderful children wake without their father. The assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10th, 2025, was a vile and disgraceful act, standing in direct contradiction to the freedoms this great nation promises. No one should ever be killed for the free expression of their honest beliefs, no matter how strongly others may disagree with them. Such violence is not the American way.

Even more troubling, Charlie Kirk was killed on a university campus. American universities are meant to serve as beacons of research and free expression, leading the world in exploring ideas and solutions that can benefit humanity. This research and discourse are expected to be conducted with both passion and compassion. The circumstances of Mr. Kirk's murder are especially tragic and ironic: he was shot during a discussion on the very issue of excessive violence in this country. The assassin’s act was unimaginably horrific, and its timing gave a grim, deadly confirmation of Mr. Kirk’s point.

It is with a deep desire to promote civil and humane public discourse that we submit this petition to rename the “UVU Courtyard” as the “UVU Charlie Kirk Yard” or “Kirk Yard” for short in memory of the late Mr. Charlie Kirk and his tireless work to encourage civil public dialogue. Our hope is that “Kirk Yard” will become a place dedicated to open discussion and debate, advancing the vision of America’s Founding Fathers to protect and promote the freedoms of the United States and her people.