Tribute ceremony to Charlie Kirk | Between religion, patriotism and aggressiveness

(Glendale) Anecdotes, religious references and calls to continue the battle: for more than five hours, friends, colleagues and members of the American administration succeeded on stage to pay tribute to the activist Charlie Kirk, murdered on September 10. Tens of thousands of people had made ahead in early morning to obtain a place inside the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, on the outskirts of Phoenix.

“He is now a martyr for American freedom,” said President Donald Trump on the stage, in front of some 63,000 people. At the invitation of the organization founded by Kirk, Turning Point USA, which organized the event, the members of the assistance had been invited to dress in blue, white and red.

Prucars had been left at their disposal: a drawing of the dead activist at 31, with a verse from the Bible. Another inscribing “Never go.” Let us remember Charlie Kirk. »»

The work of the activist, well known in conservative circles since the foundation of his organization in 2012, was warmly greeted. Many members of the Trump administration have repeated its essential contribution for their own victory. He worked mainly with young people, to promote traditionalist vision on campuses and counter progressive ideology.

Pardon

“He wanted to save young men, like the one who removed his life from him,” said his widow on stage, Erika Kirk, mother of their two young children.

The 22 -year -old man, accused of his murder, Tyler Robinson, would have killed the activist by disagreement with his vision. He would have justified his act by the “hatred” propagated according to him by Kirk.

“This young man … I forgive him,” continued Mr.^me Kirk bursting in sobs. The crowd got up by applauding it to break everything. The 36 -year -old woman continued her speech by calling for “loving her enemies”.

“The response to hatred is not hatred,” said the one who took over the management of Turning Point USA. The answer we know of the Gospel is love, and always love. »»

Struggle

A message that detonated with the bellicose tone of certain speakers, such as the adviser Stephen Miller, who warned “enemies”, “that they cannot imagine what they have just awakened, they cannot conceive of the army that they have raised in us” – even if nothing indicates that more than one person was involved in the assassination.

Or activist Jack Posobiec, brandishing a large dark rosary to punctuate his speech. “Are you ready to continue the mission?” he asked. Are you ready to retaliate? Are you ready to put on the complete armor of God and to face evil in the high places and fight the spiritual fight that awaits us? »»

Known as a member of the Christian nationalist movement, Charlie Kirk did not hesitate to open up to his Christian faith and vision of the United States. His ideology was reflected throughout the commemoration: references to faith were involved in patriotism, the mission in the service of God was overcome with the mission at the service of the country – and the Republicans.

Security

Security was at the maximum level, comparable to that set up for the Super Bowl. The speeches took place behind bulletproof windows on the stage of the stadium.

Persons in the audience had to submit to security systems and were not allowed to bring a bag with them. Any type of weapon was prohibited, but also the other than a bottle of non -flavored water sealed 500 ml per person.

Places were distributed according to the principle of “first arrival, first served”.

Billionaire Elon Musk was seen in the Lodge where Donald Trump and his relatives were installed. The president’s eldest son also spoke to the crowd, calling Kirk his “little brother” and dudding on his own limited knowledge of the Bible.

The president underlined the important influence of Kirk and his “big heart”, while branching off on his usual themes – the extent of the crowd, his successes, the incompetence of his predecessor.

He recalled his intention to honor the deceased with the presidential medal of freedom posthumously, the highest civil distinction, and denounced the assassination as “an attack not only against a man or a movement, but against the whole nation”.

Influence

Commemoration has gained a particular scale due to the importance of Kirk for the Republican Party, and for the current administration.

“Kirk had much more influence, relationships and impact on Trump’s policies than many elected figures,” notes Arie Perliger, from the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, joined on the phone. It was also a well -known and emblematic figure of the current conservative current.

“There are not many other people so visible and who symbolized the new faces of the American conservative movement as well,” he adds.

His death made him access the rank of martyr and symbol. Americans lost their jobs after comments on his murder – the most famous being the humorist Jimmy Kimmel.

“It will be important to observe to what extent we will witness efforts to promote some of the most extremist and controversial policies that Kirk himself hoped to promote, influence and advance, whether in the field of immigration and civil rights,” said Perliger. And how much the event could be used to undermine the civil rights of political rivals, he adds.

“He did not hate his opponents; He wanted them good, said Trump with a smile during the ceremony. This is where I did not agree with Charlie. I hate my opponents and I don’t want their good. »»