Charlie Kerk’s funeral had it all and probably he would approve it. Outside her State Farm Stadium Arizonatens of thousands of Charlie Kerk supporters queued early – some had camped from the night before to secure a good position – while hundreds of thousands watched online via YouTube. The 31 -year -old activist He was assassinated on September 10 at a university in Utah. The ceremony was presented as a witness to freedom and conservative mission.
Inside the Stadium in Arizona, the atmosphere was reminiscent of a political gathering, with Christian music music forms opening the event for the murdered activist and the crowd of almost 200,000 people enthusiastically. Many attendees wore hats of the Make America Great Again movement (Maga), Trump’s mark and uniforms in Red, white and blue – the colors of the American flag.
The program of speakers included US President Donald Trump as well as US government officials, such as US Vice President Jay Di Vans, Donald Trump Junior, Defense Minister Pitt Hegsteh Miller.
But also members of Charlie Kerk’s Turning Point USA organization, which focuses on conservative activism at universities, well -known figures of the wider right -wing space and finally said they had been deeply influenced by Kerk’s work and Christian conservatives.
During the five -hour ceremony, many emphasized the importance of continuing the 31 -year -old Kerk activist legacy and underlined his deep faith.
Some of the speakers expressed the belief that his death would further enhance the dynamics of the conservative movement in America, which is already considered powerful, given Trump’s dominant role in the White House and the control of Republicans in Congress.
President Trump devoted about 40 minutes to his speech. He presented Kerk as a “witness to American freedom”, and did not avoid the well -known political spikes against the opponents of the movement, referring to “paid riots” and “networks of the radical left”.
However, he was different from the deceased at one point: “Charlie did not hate his opponents. I hate them, “he said honestly, while apologizing to his widow, Erika Kerk. In more light times, Trump’s son Donald Trump Junior offered humor, imitating his father and laughing at the crowd.
“It was not worth such death. His assassination was an attack on our nation. In the US… The bullet targeted all of us. Charlie was killed for the ideas that we all believe in this arena, “Trump said, adding:” Charlie looks at us from there and says, “a large crowd of patriots.”
Erika Kerk: Forgiveness and continuation of the project
The most moving moment came from Kirk’s widow, Erika. With tears in her eyes, she described her terror when she saw her husband’s body, but also the discreet joy she saw on his face, as a sign that she did not suffer.
Erika talked about forgiveness, referring to her husband’s murderer: “I forgive him … because this is what Christ did and that would be Charlie. Love for our enemies. “
At the same time, he announced that he was taking over the reins of Turning Point USA, committing to continuing the Kerk mission: to guide new Christian conservatives away from hatred and frustration.
THE US Vice President Jay Di Vance He stressed that the presence of the government was not only a matter of respect for Kerk, but also recognition of his contribution.
He emphasized that the movement would continue to grow and strengthen after his death, while describing the Renaissance ceremony as a mere funeral.
“For younger generations, Charlie represented courage and brought many truths. That young people need to have a voice and that marriage and family are the most important. “
“He loved God and he knew that we are all children of God,” Vance added, and continued: “Our hearts feel so empty now that they are not with us (…) We love you and will not stop being by your side, as Charlie was,” he said to his widow, “
“We won’t go back. We will not be silent, ”said Donald Trump’s son, among others Donald Trump Junior In his speech.
“His loss should not be the end of this story,” he said, adding: “We are all Charlie.”
“Charlie Kerk had influence. There are thousands of people here tonight, the US president. He had such an influence at 31. We will remember him for it, “said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
THE Steven Miller, White House Senior Advisorexpressed the most fiery and aggressive attitude against political opponents. He talked about the “fair anger” of the supporters of the Kerk and assured that the “forces of evil” would not be able to stop the movement. His most radical statements encountered a warm welcome from the crowd, which was shouting slogans in favor of Kerk and Trump.
Unnoticed could not pass the presence of Elon Musk At the funeral that brought him … near Trump. They sat side by side with Trump, making many talk about a reconnection after many months.
The billionaire businessman, who had publicly clashed with Trump in recent months, appeared on his side again, posting a photo of them with the comment: “For Charlie”.
The religious dimension
OR Kirk’s faith in Jesus They were present at every moment of the ceremony. Conservative American presenter Tucker Carlson stressed that Kerk believed that politics could not answer the deepest questions of life, the only solution is worship and repentance.
Even Trump referred to faith issues during his speech, adding religious depth to the ceremony.
The public and the huge appeal
The Charlie Kerk funeral gathered about 200,000 people in the stadium and 400,000 online. Through his social media and his podcast, he had already won millions of new supporters, while his influence on the Maga movement remains decisive, the CBC says.
His death did not weaken the movement. On the contrary, he seems to give him a new impulse, in the sense of martyrdom acting as Point of concentration and renewal.
For the Democrats, the message is alarming. If Turning Point manages to capitalize on this momentum, electoral correlations in the medium -term matches may change dramatically.
Information from CBC