Republican students at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh have used a long-standing tradition for exercising free speech by painting the university's campus "Fence" to honor Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed Wednesday. 

The Fence was painted on one side with a message reading "Say no to political violence." The other side of the Fence has been painted to say "Rest in peace Charlie Kirk."

University protocols allow the Fence to be painted daily starting at midnight and around 15 Republican students on campus were present early Thursday morning, working on the new messaging in support of Kirk. 

The right-wing political activist and influential voice with young conservatives in the digital age died Wednesday after he was shot in the neck at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31.   

Carnegie Mellon College Republicans President Anthony Cacciato said the attempted assassination of President Trump and Kirk's killing are part of a very disturbing rise in political violence in the United States that needs to end. 

"A lot of our members tonight felt one way or another, very strongly about what Charlie Kirk did for conservatives on campus in terms of equipping us with not only the know how, but also the confidence to feel like we can share what we believe on campus," Cacciato said. "Whether you agree with his specific beliefs, he did a lot for conservatives in that sense, and I think that's why so many people have come out tonight."

The CMU College Republicans previously used the Fence to express messaging in support of Mr. Trump surrounding the 2024 presidential election, saying "The silent majority spoke" after he was elected in November. 

What is the "Fence" at Carnegie Mellon University? 

"The Fence" at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh has become a staple for students at the university who want to share their messages on campus and express their rights to free speech.

Whether used for advertising or giving a take on current events, it has served as a way for students to express themselves.

Ahead of an AI and energy summit attended by Mr. Trump earlier this year at the school, protest messages were painted onto the Fence, which prompted Carnegie Mellon to keep the fence a blank slate for a time.

In the wake of the protest messages being covered up, the university released a plan for the future of the Fence, asking students to be mindful of what they post there.

Carnegie Mellon also formed a group of students and faculty to study the history of the Fence with the hope of finding a way to preserve the tradition. 

CMU students speak out, decry political violence

Kirk was shot and killed earlier this week at a university in Utah. In response, members of the CMU College Republicans gathered at midnight to paint the fence. About 15 students took part in the effort.

Students shared their thoughts with KDKA.

"Felt one way or another very strongly about what Charlie Kirk did for conservatives on campus in terms of equipping us with not only the know-how, but the confidence to share what we do believe on campus," said Anthony Cacciato, president of the CMU College Republicans.

The CMU fence has been a student tradition for more than 100 years, serving as a platform for messages.

"We should never condone killing anybody, especially in front of his wife and kids. I really think we need to cultivate a society where we can share our beliefs," said Pitt student Danica Brutell.

"We'd rather people love each other rather than hate each other, no matter our race or political bias," said CMU student David Liu.

"This kind of thing is problematic, and it's not just affecting one side or another. This isn't about sides; it's about Americans killing other Americans. An issue our country faces that not many other countries face to this extent," said CMU student Luke Greenawalt.