President Donald Trump and other prominent American political figures are heading to Arizona to speak at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who was killed two weeks ago.
Doors open at 08:00 local time (16:00 BST), with the official program due to start at 11:00 (19:00 BST).
At the stadium, organisers said there will be “enhanced security measures” in place with “TSA-level screening”.
A senior Department of Homeland Security official told CBS that the memorial service has the same security designation as high-profile events such as the Super Bowl.
“We do not believe this person was attempting anything nefarious, however the advance was not done in proper coordination with the TPUSA security team or US Secret Service,” he said on social media.
Speakers at a memorial service for Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was killed two weeks ago, will travel to Arizona with President Donald Trump and other well-known American politicians.
Over 100,000 people are expected to attend the event, which is being organized by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
According to TPUSA, “TSA-level screening” and other forms of increased security are anticipated.
When Kirk was shot on September 10 at a speaking engagement on a Utah university campus, he co-founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18, rekindling fears of political violence in the United States.
Deep rifts in the US have been made worse by a divisive figure, varying opinions about his legacy, and potential reasons for the shooting.
Along with Trump, other speakers at the service are expected to include Vice President JD Vance, Homeland Security adviser and White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, Kirk’s widow, Erika, who succeeded him as CEO of TPUSA, the president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and right-wing political commentator Tucker Carlson.
Political leaders typically call for unity, prayer, and calm in the wake of public shootings in the United States.
However, the Trump administration’s efforts to pin the blame and crack down on the “radical left” have led to protests about government overreach and allegations that Kirk’s death is being used as a pretext to violate civil liberties.
Opening hours are 8:00 local time (16:00 BST), and the official program is scheduled to begin at 11:00 (19:00 BST). “Red, white, or blue is Sunday best” is the dress code.
The stadium can accommodate slightly more than 63,000 people, and according to the TPUSA website, admission will be granted on a “first come, first served” basis on Sunday. A nearby stadium with 20,000 seats has been designated as an overflow space.
Additionally, Charlie Kirk’s Rumble account will livestream it, according to TPUSA.
“Enhanced security measures” with “TSA-level screening” will be implemented at the stadium, according to the organizers.
According to a senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, the memorial service is as secure as major events like the Super Bowl, CBS reported.
A man who was “observed exhibiting suspicious behaviour” at the stadium on Friday was reported to the outlet by the Secret Service.
The armed man was approached by agents who identified himself as a law enforcement official, according to CBS.
The man was released on bond after being arrested for posing as law enforcement and carrying a weapon in a prohibited area, according to officials. The man was a private security advisor for a “known” guest who was inspecting the area before the event, according to TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.
“The advance was not carried out in appropriate coordination with the US Secret Service or TPUSA security team, but we do not think this individual was trying anything nefarious,” he posted on social media. Furthermore, it should be noted that this was prior to the site being completely locked down and sealed. Every effort is being made to guarantee everyone’s safety. “.
Since Kirk was killed, tensions are high.
The motive of the alleged shooter is still largely unknown. “Leftist ideology” is what Utah’s governor said about 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was charged in the shooting and is still in jail. According to officials, shell casings bearing anti-fascist labels were also discovered.
However, it is still unclear what those and other messages actually mean.
