Image source, Getty Images
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- Author, Darío Brooks and William Márquez *
- Author’s title, BBC News World
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, said Sunday that the murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk was the “greatest evangelist of American freedom” and a “martyr.”
The president was in charge of pronouncing the final speech in a tribute attended by tens of thousands of people in a stadium in the Phoenix area and attended by vice president JD Vance, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth and other senior government officials.
“Now it is a martyr of American freedom,” Trump told Kirk’s trajectory, who was killed a shot during a student meeting in Utah on September 10.
“He was killed because he lived with courage, he lived with boldness and argued brilliantly,” Trump added.
Prior to Trump, Kirk’s widow, Erika, said he publicly forgive Tyler Robinson, the man accused of crime. “I forgive him because it is what Christ did,” he added.
“The response to hatred is not hate,” said the visibly excited widow, which generated an ovation of the public.
Image source, Getty Images
A political-religious meeting
The atmosphere inside and outside the stadium was a combination of political assembly, religious service and tribute act.
Many waved or dressed in the colors of the American flag, carried magician caps (by Trump’s political motto, Make America Great Again), raised posters with quotes from the Bible and Kirk or wielded crucifixes.
In all the chairs there were commemorative bracelets, banners with the photo of Kirk and disposable scarves. Musical groups enlivened the day while the main speakers of the event arrived. At times, fragments of Kirk’s speeches were heard from the speakers.
It was a sign of Kirk’s impact and influence on his followers that traveled from all parts of the United States and abroad to honor the conservative activist, seen as a patriot and Christian martyr.
It was also an indication of how his death has galvanized the support of the right for President Trump.
The event, which had strong security measures, also attended Elon Musk, Trump’s businessman and excuser who distanced himself from the government at the end of last May. Both greeted each other and held a brief talk.
Image source, EPA
Image source, Getty Images
In his speech, the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, highlighted Kirk’s activism by founding the Turning Point USA organization.
“But this moment is the turning point for the United States,” he said. “Charlie, we take care of here. God bless you.”
In addition to the senior US government officials, there were also words of fans and people close to Kirk.
Frank Turek, a friend of the activist who was 8 meters from the stage of the attack at Utah Valley University, said: “We did everything possible to save Charlie, but he had already died.”
“I learned that Charlie didn’t feel any pain, he died on the spot.”
Image source, Getty Images
Kirk’s murder has generated a heated debate about freedom of expression in the US. He was passionate defender of that right, although there has been a reaction against anyone who criticizes Kirk or manifests contrary to his views.
Meanwhile, the Trump government has threatened to suppress activists and left -wing organizations even if they have not lawyed political violence or have any connection with the murder of Charlie Kirk.
From all over the country
Although Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, has its operations center in Arizona, many of its supporters came from other states.
Juan and Stephanie Flores arrived from Tennessee to meet friends who came from California and were from 6:00 am waiting in a row to enter the stadium ..
“We have given up, there are simply too many people,” Stephanie told the BBC. “There are people who have been here from 3 or 4 in the morning.”
However, it was not upset. Pointing to the whole crowd around, he declared: “I am encouraged to see how many people have come here to honor Charlie Kirk, look at all these young people, they all love God.”
Emory, another assistant who could enter the stadium, told the BBC that he was attracted to Charlie Kirk’s message because his faith is a “huge part” of his life.
“It is important for me to enjoy my faith and preach the gospel,” he said while pointing to the stage excited by the praise songs that one of the bands played.
“This is proof that (Charlie) can still congregate people even if they are no longer here.”
* With information from the BBC News team.
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