The assassination of Charlie Kirk marked a pivotal and life-changing moment for men, women and families who gathered to mourn the charismatic conservative leader at the Phoenix headquarters of the Turning Point movement he founded and grew into a national political force.
Solemn individuals and young families dropped off flowers, shed tears and embraced after Kirk's death. Strangers called each other "brother" and "sister," and knelt to pray, asking God to heal and comfort Kirk's wife and their children.
They shared how Kirk's unapologetic willingness to speak his mind gave them the confidence to stand proudly in their faith and morals.
"We live in America. We have the First Amendment right to free speech. He was killed because of that right, but he taught the rest of us that it's OK to be strong," said Pawnee Carter, 64.
Carter and others said Kirk's death felt like a watershed moment for conservatives: namely, that not conforming to the political left's beliefs could result in getting killed.
