US Ambassador Thanks Calgary Kirk Vigil Attendees for ‘Standing With Us’

The U.S. ambassador to Canada thanked those who attended a vigil in Calgary held in honour of conservative American influencer Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, who co-founded the national conservative student organization Turning Point USA in 2012, was shot on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. He was holding a speaking event on campus at the time.

Vigils were held around the United States following his death, as well as a few cities in Canada.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra highlighted a vigil honouring Kirk in Calgary in a Sept. 17 post on X. He included a video from the event where attendees were singing the U.S. national anthem.

“Thank you, Calgary, for standing with us,” Hoekstra said.

The vigil was held at Calgary City Hall on Sept. 14 with hundreds turning out.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Sept. 14 also shared a video of the Edmonton performance of country singer Morgan Wallen who sent out condolences to Kirk’s widow, Erika.

“What a beautiful moment as Edmonton joined Morgan Wallen to honour Erika Kirk recently with this tribute,” Smith said in the Sept. 14 post.

She added that she continued to be “moved by the compassion of Albertans as you gather at vigils tonight at the Legislature and in Calgary to honour Charlie’s memory.”

A tribute was given to Kirk on the first day of the new Parliament sitting on Sept. 15 by Tory MP Rachael Thomas.

She said he had been an advocate for faith, family, and freedom.

“As we grapple with our personal response to this, may we honour the honourable in our actions, may we fiercely defend the right of our opponents to speak freely,” she said.

Conservative MPs and some Liberal MPs applauded and rose in support of her comments.

Prime Minister Mark Carney commented on Kirk’s death in a Sept. 10 social media post, saying he was “appalled by the murder of Charlie Kirk.”

Carney said there was “no justification for political violence” and that it threatens democracy.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also responded to Kirk’s death on social media, saying that “political violence is NEVER justified.”

He added that the attacker must be brought to justice, and free speech upheld.

Memorial Service

A memorial service is planned for Kirk on Sept. 21 in Arizona.

Several speakers will be at the event, including Erika Kirk, President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Prominent figures are expected to attend, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, political commentator Tucker Carlson, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, and director of White House personnel Sergio Gor.

The venue has fixed seating for more than 63,000, and can expand to include about another 10,000.

Erika Kirk has been named the new CEO and board chair of Turning Point USA.

Olivia Gomm, Savannah Hulsey Pointer, and Jackson Richman contributed to this article.