Charlie Kirk’s visit to Lincoln brings protesters, reported vandalism

Lincoln police are investigating a reported vandalism at a Lincoln business after a Saturday visit by conservative provocateur and anti-trans advocate Charlie Kirk that drew protesters.

The Lancaster County Republican Party hosted Kirk at an east Lincoln reception hall, Suite One Eleven. Graffiti was found on a pillar outside the building after Kirk had spoken, a party official said.

The business owner filed a police report about 10 p.m. Saturday that alleges about $150 damage was done with black spray paint on a brick pillar. The message cursed at “Nazis.”

The owner said Tuesday that it will cost much more to clean up the paint. She wouldn’t share how much. She also said she told police the venue has received threatening calls and messages.  

Lancaster County GOP Chairman Samuel Lyon said his organization believes “in peaceful protest and that open dialogue is a critical component of a healthy Republic.” But he criticized the vandalism as a clear “violation of the law.”

Lincoln Police Sgt. Chris Vollmer said Monday no arrests had been made and no tickets issued. But police received footage from a security camera that the county GOP shared with reporters.

Security video appeared to show two people opening the door of the Kirk venue and turning to walk away, then stopping at a column where they grabbed what looked like a can of spray paint.

Vandalism reports often follow Kirk’s events. He leads Turning Point USA, a group rallying young conservatives that attracts money and attention by appealing to the GOP’s populist wing.

Members of the Lancaster County GOP led the push to wrest the Nebraska Republican Party from the former leadership team tied to then-Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Kirk has embraced the culture war against policies aimed at making LGBTQ students feel more welcome. His speeches often attract protesters.

Recently, Kirk has touted state-level bills that would outlaw gender-altering care for trans teens and bills requiring trans athletes to compete in school sports with kids who share their sex at birth.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha has proposed bills doing both this year. Legislative Bill 574 would ban treatments for minors, and LB 575 would restrict high school sports to students’ sex assigned at birth.

Opponents of Kauth’s bills have said advocating these changes in law risks harming teens who are already at greater risk of committing suicide than their peers.

Kirk’s critics share videos online of him targeting marginalized groups, including trans people. They point out his organization helped bus people to Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021, rally before the Capitol was stormed.

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