Thousands gather around the world to honor Charlie Kirk over the weekend

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(The Center Square) – The death of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk Wednesday sparked memorials and gatherings around the world. 

The 31-year-old husband and father of two who was shot and killed Wednesday on an Utah college campus has become a rallying cry for free speech across the globe. Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit aimed at reaching college students with a conservative political message.

Up to 150,000 people gathered in London on Saturday for a “Unite the Kingdom” rally in what was reportedly one of Britain’s biggest far-right demonstrations in decades. Video and camera footage of the event shows the streets of Westminster awash in red, white and blue as participants wave British and English flags. 

The event’s organizer, British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, described it as the country’s “largest free speech festival,” where supporters gathered to protest immigration and free speech policies in the U.K. Robinson rejected police estimates, saying there were more like 3 million people assembled. 

Robinson is a lightning-rod figure in Britain. He carries many criminal convictions, many of which he contests as political persecution. Robinson has produced documentaries revealing the proliferation of rape gangs in the U.K. and other incidents, most of which he attributes to government and media preferential treatment of immigrants and refugees.

Hundreds gathered in London and Sydney, Australia, on Friday night to hold a vigil in honor of Kirk, and thousands gathered across the world on Sunday evening for memorials venerating the deceased activist. 

Multiple NFL teams also paid tribute to Kirk with a moment of silence or similar recognition before their games on Sunday.

The Trump administration hosted a free vigil for Kirk at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday night, where White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt thanked Kirk for helping Trump secure the presidency a second time. 

“I would not be in this position if not for the heroic efforts of Charlie Kirk, who turned the political tide among young people in this country and helped usher in President Trump’s historic victory on November 5, 2024,” Leavitt said.

Kirk was also an outspoken Christian who emphasized faith and family as the cornerstones of a meaningful life. 

“Charlie embraced our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and proclaimed the gospel boldly and proudly. Charlie preached a message of faith to all who would listen,” Leavitt said. “He encouraged young people to get married and have children, and as a young person who has done it, I would encourage you to do that as well.” 

Leavitt was married in January 2025 and gave birth to their son in July 2024.

Kirk’s funeral has been set for Sunday, Sept. 21, at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, which can hold over 70,000 people.