(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Thousands of people in Southern Colorado participated in a memorial ride along Highway 24 to honor Charlie Kirk, a Christian and political advocate, who was laid to rest in Arizona earlier today.
The ride began at a Hobby Lobby on 8th Street in Colorado Springs and continued for an hour up the road, where participants gathered at a ranch to barbecue, hug, and mourn Kirk’s loss.
“What do you say to a woman who lost the love of her life?” said Kevin, a community member, reflecting on the impact of Kirk’s death.
Nearly four thousand people decorated their cars with balloons, photos of Kirk, and American flags as they drove from Colorado Springs to Divide on Sunday.
Community members emphasized that the event was not political but rather a moment for everyone to come together and reflect.
“This is not a political movement. This is not a political event. This is for all of us to come together, you know, for everybody to stop and say, hold on, wait a minute, this is getting a little bit out of hand,” said Kevin.
During the drive, participants encountered a few protesters, but organizers stressed the importance of maintaining peace and unity.
Fischer also commented on the protesters, saying, “They have reasons for the way they feel. I don’t know what they are. I’ve never walked in their shoes. They’ve never walked in mine, and until you do, you can’t judge somebody.”
During the funeral in Arizona, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s wife, expressed forgiveness towards the person responsible for her husband’s death. Community members in Southern Colorado said they were inspired by Erika’s decision to forgive and are trying to emulate her example.
“I have no idea of what I’d say to her,” said Fischer. “I can’t imagine.”
Organizers of the event emphasized that it was about peace and continuing Kirk’s message of kindness and equality.
“He loved everybody,” said Kevin. “You know, and it just sickens me to hear all these people say bad things about someone they know nothing about, or even stopped and watched a video.”
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