Tens of thousands gather for Charlie Kirk memorial service in Arizona

Thousands gathered in Arizona yesterday for a public memorial to honour Charlie Kirk, the rightwing youth organiser who was fatally shot during an event at a Utah university.

- Lauren Gambino

Donald Trump, his vice-president, JD Vance, and Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, were among a long list of prominent officials and figures expected to pay tribute to the slain activist, a reflection of his deep imprint on the president's Maga movement.

The memorial service was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, the 63,000-seat home of the Arizona Cardinals American football team and the venue where Taylor Swift began her Eras tour.

Queues snaked for several blocks before sunrise yesterday. Inside the stadium, seats began to fill hours before the official programme was due to begin. Supporters were already in tears as they listened to a Christian rock group that performed on stage.

Jeffrey Barke, a physician with a large online following, went to the stadium with a group of friends from Orange County, California, on what he called a "pilgrimage of sorts" to honour Kirk's life and legacy. He pledged to use own platform to aid in spreading "Charlie's message".

Christina Sawick, wearing a "Trump was right about everything" hat, said she had been watching and listening to Kirk since 2016. Yesterday, she left her home in Mesa, Arizona, at 3am to attend the memorial service.

She said she appreciated Kirk's willingness to debate anyone, regardless of their politics or background.