{"id":2489179,"date":"2025-09-21T13:01:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T17:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massive-crowds-and-heavy-security-as-charlie-kirk-memorial-begins-in-arizona\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T13:03:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T17:03:37","slug":"massive-crowds-and-heavy-security-as-charlie-kirk-memorial-begins-in-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massive-crowds-and-heavy-security-as-charlie-kirk-memorial-begins-in-arizona\/","title":{"rendered":"Massive crowds and heavy security as Charlie Kirk memorial begins in Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmassive-crowds-and-heavy-security-as-charlie-kirk-memorial-begins-in-arizona%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2489179&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk took place in Glendale, Arizona, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-quietly-returns-to-the-campaign-trail-for-harris-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Obama quietly returns to the campaign trail for Harris - Washington Examiner\">drawing massive crowds<\/a> far <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/consumer-confidence-blows-past-expectations-surges-by-most-since-early-2021\/\" title=\"Consumer confidence soars, surpassing expectations with the biggest surge since early 2021\">exceeding initial expectations<\/a>.Held at state Farm Stadium, which seats 73,000, with overflow space at the nearby Desert diamond Arena, the event attracted over 200,000 mourners, many wearing red, white, and blue or apparel featuring Kirk&#8217;s image. Due to overwhelming attendance, parking was filled quickly, with many attendees walking miles to the venue.<\/p>\n<p>Security was extremely tight, classified as a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1 by the Department of Homeland Security-on par with the Super Bowl-enforcing strict no-bag policies and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >multiple screening checkpoints causing delays<\/a> for attendees and press.<\/p>\n<p>Inside the stadium, the memorial atmosphere was unusual for a funeral, with Christian musicians leading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/canadian-pastor-who-faces-4-year-jail-sentence-for-inciting-church-warns-americans-the-enemy-is-not-hiding-anymore\/\" title=\"Canadian Pastor Who Faces 4-Year Jail Sentence For \u2018Inciting\u2019 Church Warns Americans: \u2018The Enemy Is Not Hiding Anymore\u2019\">worship songs<\/a> and the crowd actively participating. High-profile speakers included former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, and various senior administration officials.<\/p>\n<p>President Trump described the event as &#8220;a time of healing&#8221; and planned to &#8220;celebrate the life of a great man&#8221; during the service.The memorial was also broadcast live online and on television to accommodate the large audience. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Massive crowds and heavy security as Charlie Kirk memorial begins in Arizona<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2236170\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Glendale, ARIZONA &mdash;<\/strong> Crowds of mourners stretched into long lines outside today&rsquo;s memorial for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/charlie-kirk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Charlie Kirk<\/a>, the conservative activist<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3801410\/charlie-kirk-utah-valley-university-shooting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> fatally shot <\/a>at a Utah university earlier this month.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Traffic was backed up for miles as throngs made their way to the stadium, many clad in red, white, and blue or wearing shirts and hats bearing Kirk&rsquo;s image. With parking lots overwhelmed, countless attendees abandoned their cars and walked miles to the venue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3817267\/uk-recognizes-palestinian-state-israel-gaza-war\/\">UK recognizes&nbsp;Palestinian state after Israel fails to meet Gaza war conditions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3817197\/charlie-kirk-memorial-service-details-speakers\/\">Charlie Kirk memorial service set to draw thousands of mourners, including Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3817239\/man-charged-new-hampshire-country-club-shooting\/\">Man charged in New Hampshire country club shooting that left one dead<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3444699\/timeline-increasing-incidents-political-violence-in-the-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">POLITICAL VIOLENCE ON THE RISE IN THE US: A TIMELINE OF KEY INCIDENTS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Glendale police estimated that more than 200,000 people could attend the memorial service for Kirk, double the earlier projection of 100,000. The service will be held inside State Farm Stadium, which seats up to <a href=\"https:\/\/westgateaz.com\/venue\/state-farm-stadium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">73,000<\/a>, with additional space reserved at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcentral.com\/story\/entertainment\/music\/2024\/01\/09\/desert-diamond-arena-made-glendale-az-destination\/72155469007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">19,000<\/a>-seat Desert Diamond Arena for overflow. The service will also be broadcast live online and on television.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Inside the stadium for Kirk&rsquo;s memorial the first two-tiers of seats are nearly filled and people are now beginning to take spots on the third level. Christian musicians are leading the crowd in worship songs as attendees continue to stream in: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/taLyPR65Pa\">pic.twitter.com\/taLyPR65Pa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SamanthaJoRoth\/status\/1969794800951140585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>The Department of Homeland Security has designated the memorial a Special Event Assessment Rating Level 1, the same high-security tier as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Super-Bowl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Super Bowl<\/a>. Security is extremely tight, with a strict no-bag policy in place. Members of the press reported it took hours to get inside, passing through multiple screening checkpoints.<\/p>\n<p>Inside State Farm Stadium, the atmosphere is anything but typical for a funeral. Christian musicians lead the crowd in worship songs as attendees continue streaming in, with many rising to their feet and lifting their hands in response to the music. The first two tiers of seats were already nearly filled, and people were beginning to take spots on the third level.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People sit inside before the start of a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo\/John Locher)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Those scheduled to deliver remarks include President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donald Trump<\/a>, Vice President JD Vance, and several senior administration officials. Also on the program are Donald Trump Jr., Tucker Carlson, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" ir=\"ltr\">Starting at 5AM the crowds roared outside of State Farm stadium as thousands lined up for the Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AmyDeLaura?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AmyDeLaura<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SamanthaJoRoth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SamanthaJoRoth<\/a> are on the ground. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LWsI70sWOY\">pic.twitter.com\/LWsI70sWOY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dcexaminer\/status\/1969756853728100755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3817170\/erika-kirk-inspires-young-women-turning-point-gender-gap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TURNING POINT&rsquo;S ERIKA KIRK TURNS GRIEF TO MOBILIZATION FOR YOUNG CONSERVATIVE WOMEN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As he departed the White House for Arizona, Trump told reporters he planned to &ldquo;celebrate the life of a great man&rdquo; at Kirk&rsquo;s memorial.<\/p>\n<p>Trump called the service &ldquo;a time of healing,&rdquo; adding, &ldquo;That something like this could have happened is not even believable, so we will have a very interesting day, a very tough day.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Huge crowds and tight security mark Charlie Kirk memorial<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2489180,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25264475690793.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4472,44291,22566,5644],"class_list":["post-2489179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-arizona","tag-charlie-kirk","tag-crowds","tag-memorial"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25264475690793.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2489179","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2489179"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2489179\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2489183,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2489179\/revisions\/2489183"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2489180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2489179"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2489179"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2489179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}