Hundreds at Belfast Charlie Kirk rally: 'Ordinary people will not sit quietly while attempts are made to silence uncomfortable voices'
Hundreds took to the streets of Belfast on Saturday morning, paying tribute to murdered Trump ally and high-profile conservative campaigner Charlie Kirk.
Many who attended the city hall rally bore Christian insignia or held banners and flags marking Mr Kirk’s faith, a sign of how much the author and media personality touched religious people around the world during his 31 years of life.
The demonstration was also taking a stand for free speech, with the organisers declaring in advance that they wanted to combat ‘cancel culture’ and defend the right of people to express their beliefs.
One of those organisers – TUV councillor Ron McDowell, who also spoke at the event – said the numbers were especially impressive given news of the rally only started to spread on Friday, and the people who addressed the crown were only finalised the evening before it took place.
“We were delighted with the turnout,” he told the News Letter. “It was remarkable that several hundred attended to show their support for free speech and to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.
“The fact that this issue transcends traditional boundaries was underscored by the range of speakers. Jenny Holland from the Free Speech Union, Christian podcaster Nathan Anderson and myself found common cause in championing the principle that every individual must be free to speak, to question, and to disagree without fear of censorship, harassment or cancellation.
“What united us was not our political or theological outlooks, but the conviction that free expression is the bedrock of a free society. If we lose the ability to debate openly, then democracy itself is hollowed out. Saturday’s rally sent a clear message that ordinary people will not sit quietly while attempts are made to silence voices that some find uncomfortable.”
The rally’s concerns, Mr McDowell added, are above and beyond the left and right political divide, or anyone’s position on the Irish border, or religious or secular beliefs; instead, he said, the demonstration was “about protecting the rights of all”.
“The crowd on Saturday showed there is a growing awareness that free speech is under real and present threat, and a growing determination to push back,” he stated. “Our task now is to build on that momentum, to broaden the coalition, and to continue to defend one of the most fundamental freedoms we possess.”
The fatal shooting of Mr Kirk during a public speaking event last week sent shockwaves around the world.
The suspected gunman, 22-year-old student Tyler Robinson, is due to appear in court on Tuesday. Motives are still unclear; although law enforcement found messages carved into bullet cartridges used in the possible murder weapon, most of those released so far are references to internet memes and video game catchphrases.
A huge memorial event for Mr Kirk is to happen in an Arizona sports stadium next weekend – but controversial punk band Bob Vylan, who sparked outrage by chanting for the “death” of the Israel Defence Forces at Glastonbury, appear to have mocked his murder.
Singer Pascal Robinson-Foster said during an Amsterdam show: “I want to dedicate this next one to an absolute piece of s*** of a human being.
“The pronouns was/were, cause if you chat s*** you will get banged. Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, you piece of s***.”