Kirk Memorial mixes religious revival with party policy
Even before it started, the memorial service of the dead conservative activist Charlie Kerk was described as a mixture of state funeral, religious revival, and Maga Mega Rally, with security at the highest level.
On Sunday, the reality bears that. The service was at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona – which was attended by an estimated 100,000 people, including mourners in a nearby surplus square – in many aspects of the emotional summit of incendiary rings in modern American political history: the leader brought the public on September 10.
President Donald Trump, Vice President c.
Why did we write this
The memorial service of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been presented in both political and religious fields and confirmed how his mission will continue to form the Republican Party.
This service was a reminder of the degree that the religious preservation remains closely related to the Republican policy at its highest levels. The most prominent of which is the speakers that the movement started by Mr. Kirk would continue and flourish under the leadership of his wife, Erika Kirk, who was recently called as the CEO of Turn Point Usa.
Whether the assassination of Kirk, who was achieved by the accused gunman on the campus of the University of Utah, proves to be a turning point in the polarized policy in the country still must be seen. In the wake of the shooting directly, Mr. Trump chose the revenge message of national unity. On Friday, dozens of Democrats in Congress voted against a decision to honor Mr. Kirk-saying that many found his view of the world “racist, harmful, and non-American in the first place,” he said, according to what he said. statement By the Black Congress, the assembly.
On Sunday service, President Trump and the widow of Mr. Kirk made starkly contradictory statements. In what might be the emotional point of the service, Ms. Kirk said that she forgave the accused shooter, “because what Christ did, which Charlie will do.”
“The answer to hatred is not hate,” Mrs. Kerk said, her voice is thick with passion. “The answer that we know from the Bible is always love and love.”
But Mr. Trump, who speaks immediately after Mrs. Kirk, described himself as unable or unwilling to forgive.
Mr. Trump said of Mr. Kirk: “He did not hate his opponents.” “He wanted the best for them. This is where I do not agree with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I do not want the best for them. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Erika.”
The president’s words emerged between a series of speakers who often spoke to honor the deep religious faith of Mr. Kirk and the legacy of awareness and dialogue with all the coming of the university campus events, which is called “proving me a mistake.”
“The effect of ripples on the whole world”
The sticky heat challenge, and tens of thousands of the other present, who extend all ages and races, line up on Sunday morning in red, white and blue. He wore many sporting shirts such as Mr. Kirk the day when he died, with “freedom” at the forefront. Carry some gospels. Some children who were held. Or did she be satisfied while she was walking.
Ivan Doto stood in a queue carrying his son, not 8 months old. Mr. Duteau pointed out that Mr. Kirk was a few years younger than him, and also began a family.
Sarah Matosick/Monitoring the Christian flag
Mr. Duto, who owns the rain water harvest company, says that the killing of the activist had a “impact on the entire world.”
He says he agreed with Mr. Kerk on most issues. Although Mr. Kirk was known only through social media, “his death affected me a little.”
Alexis, who asked not to publish her last name, came to service with her family from San Diego. The mother of seven, a conservative Christian, says her husband is the depths of his Christian faith by listening to Mr. Kerk on YouTube.
The couple cried when they heard the news of the killing, says Alexis. But the demand for the memorial gave it hope.
“The death of one man is to bring many people to Christ,” as you say, and God “uses evil for good.” Alexis says she did not feel safe until she got here, and witnessed “all patriots gather” who loved Mr. Kirk.
“People wake up to this madness to liberalism,” she says.
There was a large group of demonstrators at the scene, where it was placed behind the barrier outside the field. Jorge Syria, a Democrat from Phoenix, said he opposes Mr. Kerk’s message and celebrating his life.
“All he was defending is racism, and the white man to preserve his strength,” says Syria.
Other demonstrators used this occasion to enhance unrelated causes, such as supporting the people of Gaza.
A country divided deeply
Since the killing of Mr. Kerk, the Americans have discussed the nation’s sharp divisions. Political violence is increasing, as modern cases affect elected officials from both parties and other prominent personalities, from President Trump to legislators in Minnesota to the CEO of Health Care.
In the Kirk Memorial Monument, some speakers suggested fateful next revenge. Mr. Trump and some of his senior aides indicated that they are looking to take action against liberal groups that they accuse of inciting violence.
“You have no idea about the dragon you woke A joint comment on social media immediately by Donald Trump Junior.A close friend of Mr. Kirk.
The other Republicans sought to reduce the speech. “The use of Charlie’s murder to justify revenge against political competitors is wrong and dangerous. In the Wall Street magazine. Mr. Roof added that the blame for anyone other than the alleged armed with the death of Mr. Kirk was a “insult” to the memory of the conservative activist.
Democrats, too, think about the meaning of this moment – and where the nation goes.
“You don’t have to agree to everything that Charlie Kerk said is completely terrified of what happened and has what happened,” says Karen Vinnie, a democracy advisor.
But Mrs. Feni expresses her concern that Mr. Trump’s calls for revenge, not forgiveness, will not only increase the divisions of the nation.
“This could be a wonderful moment of loneliness and gathering people together, right?” She says. “And HECK, you can still pay your ideology, but you can do this in a more uniform way, instead of this division.”
Revival instead of riots
In Glendale, KIRK supporters were reflected in the service as the young leader means to them.
The couple of Arizona Daniel Villani and Joseline Reyes left the memorial from a surplus area. Twenty Christians describe themselves as political moderate, although he says he tends to conservative. While he did not agree with all the opinions of Mr. Kerk, Mr. Villani says he appreciates Mr. Kerk’s focus on communicating with God and putting the family first.
Sarah Matosick/Monitoring the Christian flag
The couple hopes to follow the traditional gender roles such as Kirx. “I want to live that traditional life,” says Ms. Reyes, a special education assistant. She says children one day. “I know it is not for everyone.”
For her, lifestyle means this respect and loyalty to her partner, as well as submission.
“If she wants to work, of course she can,” says Mr. Villani, a steel worker. “But I don’t want her to feel that she should work.” He says that Mr. Kerk inspired him to be a better man, and respect himself.
In her service statements, Erika Kirk presented the words of Amal that killing her husband will have a positive impact. She said that many people opened the Bible for the first time and went to the church for the first time.
“After the assassination of Charlie, we did not see the violence,” said Ms. Kirk. “We haven’t seen the riot. We did not revolutionize. Instead, we saw what my husband was always praying in this country – we saw a revival.”