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Phoenix: Tens of thousands of Americans, including President Donald Trump and most of his cabinet, have filled two adjacent arenas for the memorial to murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk, in an event that has been likened in scale to a Super Bowl or a presidential funeral.
Thousands stayed outside or nearby Phoenix’s State Farm Stadium throughout the night, singing and praying, while they waited for the doors to open at 7am local time. By 10am, the 63,000-plus venue was full and well-wishers were directed to a nearby overflow arena.
Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10, was one of the most prominent MAGA voices and media figures in the US.Credit: AP
“Charlie’s having some serious heavenly FOMO right now,” said Tyler Bowyer, a friend of Kirk’s and the chief operating officer at Turning Point USA, as he surveyed the cheering crowd.
Kirk, who was one of the most prominent voices of Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, as well as a prolific campaign organiser, evangelical Christian and a confidant of Vice President JD Vance, was assassinated while speaking on a university campus in Utah on September 10. He was 31.
His murder has rocked US politics, particularly on the right, with the country sharply divided about a spate of political violence that has run from the attempt on Trump’s life last year to the assassination of Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and now the killing of Kirk. A 22-year-old man from Utah has been charged over Kirk’s murder.
Dan Beazley stands with a cross inside State Farm Stadium.Credit: AP
Supporters attend the memorial service on Sunday.Credit: AP
As Kirk did in his life and work, Sunday’s ceremony straddled religion and politics. It began with a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace – Kirk loved the instrument– and had the atmosphere of a MAGA rally combined with a Hillsong service.
“Charlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus,” said Kirk’s pastor Rob McCoy, co-chair of TPUSA Faith. “He knew if he could get all of you rowing in the streams of liberty, you’d come to its source, and that’s the lord.”
Mikey McCoy, who was Kirk’s chief of staff, quoted 19th century Danish theologian Søren Kierkegaard when he said: “The tyrant dies, and his rule is over. The martyr dies, and his rule has just begun.”
President Donald Trump flew in from Washington for the memorial.Credit: AP
The memorial has been likened in scale to a Super Bowl or a presidential funeral.Credit: Bloomberg
Alt-right activist Jack Posobiec said Kirk’s assassination had revealed an ugliness and an evil that would be overcome by love and prayer.
“We will never ever let the left, the media or the democrats forget the name of Charlie Kirk,” he said to raucous applause.
Standing ovations were common. At various times, members of the crowd stood up and raised their arms to the sky, thanking God or Jesus.
An Arizona state trooper walks past a large cross ahead of the memorial service.Credit: Bloomberg
Up the front, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney-General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Tulsi Gabbard were among the members of Trump’s cabinet who attended, along with many other prominent politicians, media figures and business leaders.
Trump flew in from Washington and landed at a nearby Air Force base while the memorial was underway. He arrived at about 12.30pm (5.30am AEST) and was seated behind a bulletproof shield.
More to come
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