‘Hugs not Hate’: How some UVU students are coming together following the Charlie Kirk assassination

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus, a group of students created “Hugs not Hate,” a support group dedicated to promoting peace and unity. 

Zach Mitchell, with Hugs not Hate, spoke with ABC4’s Kailey Ann about the group’s mission, saying that that they want to remind UVU students that the tragedy that occurred on campus is not all that the school is known for.

“We’re under the spotlight with everything that’s happened here, and so we’re trying to set an example for everyone. UVU is a school that’s done so much for me, and I just wanted to do whatever I could to give back and help people feel safe and come back to campus to come to school,” Mitchell said.

‘Hugs not Hate’ has been working with Congressman Burgess Owens to expand the group to other schools in the state. The group hopes that more schools in different states will see their movement and implement their own versions of it.

“With our goal in mind being other states are seeing what we’re doing and then implementing it,” Mitchell said.

Building up others

Lane Bockenstedt, the founder of Hugs not Hate, said that the group will be handing out flowers on campus on Friday. They will be giving the flowers to as many students as possible. The group has 6,000 flowers.

Bockenstedt said that he hopes handing out the flowers will help no one feels alone during this time.

“I know what it feels like to kind of be alone sometimes. I just want to do everything that I can to just try to help build others up in a time where I think we all could use just a little more love and compassion and things like that,” Bockenstedt said.

Additionally, there is a vigil happening today at 4 p.m. at UVU. All are welcome to attend.