A large crowd gathered at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Tuesday evening to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk, referring to him as a martyr. Kirk, a 31-year-old American conservative activist, was shot during a speaking engagement at a university in Utah on Sept. 10.
Participants at the gathering praised Kirk for his dedication to his beliefs. Collin Watson, a former People’s Party of Canada candidate, led a prayer in honor of Kirk’s memory. The estimated 1,500 attendees displayed signs supporting Kirk and his principles, with some draped in American and Canadian flags. They listened to speakers recite Bible verses while chanting “Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!” followed by a moment of silence and renditions of “Amazing Grace” and the U.S. national anthem.
David Zacharias, sporting a T-shirt reading “We Are All Charlie Kirk Now,” commended Kirk’s unapologetically conservative stance and described him as America’s hardest-working grassroots activist. With over 10 million Instagram followers, Kirk engaged in debates on various topics such as immigration and abortion, while also co-founding Turning Point USA in 2012, a significant influence in mobilizing young voters for former President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
Zacharias emphasized Kirk’s role in shaping public opinion on cultural and political issues, advocating for Christian values and the Ten Commandments to guide legislation and policy-making. Attendees expressed admiration for Kirk’s dedication to family values and his mission to promote love and order. Lisa Chenier attended the vigil to support free speech and her children’s right to express their opinions freely.
The event highlighted the impact of Kirk’s message on youth worldwide, emphasizing the importance of peaceful dialogue and fearless expression of beliefs. The gathering also touched upon legal proceedings against Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah man facing charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with Kirk’s tragic death. Prosecutors have stated their intention to pursue the death penalty in the case.
