On Tuesday, Turning Point USA held a powerful event at Utah State University, just weeks after the tragic assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk. But before the event even began, law enforcement had to deal with a suspicious device found near the venue. The bomb squad was called in, and the device was safely detonated. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Yet again, we’re reminded of how dangerous it has become to speak out for conservative values in today’s America.

Turning Point was founded to promote freedom, faith, and the Constitution. Charlie Kirk gave his life for those principles. He was murdered on American soil simply for standing up for truth and liberty. And now, even as his team tries to carry the torch forward, threats still lurk in the shadows. A suspicious device showing up just before the event is no coincidence. Though officials claim it wasn’t an intentional threat, we’ve seen too much political violence in recent years to believe that this is just a random act.

Let’s be honest. When conservatives gather to speak their minds, they face a level of danger that the Left never does. From the attempted assassination of President Trump—twice—to the targeted killing of Charlie Kirk, it’s clear that our enemies will stop at nothing to silence us. They don’t want us to speak. They don’t want us to organize. They don’t want us to win.

But we will not be silenced.

Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz said it well. Political violence is real. From attacks on religious institutions to the murder of conservative leaders, the threat is growing. And the worst part? The mainstream media barely talks about it. If this kind of violence were happening to leftist groups, it would be the top story on every network. But because it’s happening to patriots, to people who love this country, it gets brushed aside.

This is why security had to be so tight at the Utah State event. The university had to work with federal and local law enforcement just to make sure a peaceful gathering could happen. That’s the America we live in now—where speaking the truth requires armored police and bomb squads. It’s outrageous. But it’s also proof that what we’re doing matters. If the Left wasn’t afraid of our ideas, they wouldn’t be trying so hard to shut us down.

Despite the scare, the event went on. And Alex Clark, a brave conservative voice, took the stage with a message of hope and strength. She told the crowd that this wasn’t a funeral. It wasn’t the end. It was just the beginning. She made it clear that the mission Charlie Kirk started will not end with his death. The flame of freedom still burns, and it’s up to all of us to keep it alive.

This is the third event since Kirk’s death, and more are on the way. Turning Point will next head to Montana State University on October 7. The movement is growing, not shrinking. And it’s growing because Americans are waking up. They’re tired of being pushed around. They’re tired of watching their country fall apart. And they’re ready to fight back, peacefully, legally, and boldly.

Let this be a warning to the enemies of freedom: We are not afraid. You can plant your devices. You can threaten our speakers. You can assassinate our leaders. But you will never kill the American spirit.

Charlie Kirk may be gone, but his message lives on. And it lives in every young patriot willing to stand up, speak out, and fight for what’s right. The torch has been passed. And we will carry it all the way to victory.