Trump mentions Calgary vigil for Kirk. Here's what we know about the service attended by many Canadians
U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned the support Canadians have shown for Charlie Kirk while speaking to a crowd of roughly 90,000 people at a memorial for the slain political activist on Sunday.
“Look at what’s happening. In the days since Charlie’s death, we’ve seen how his legacy has touched so many millions around the world,” said Trump. “In Calgary, Canada, thousands gathered at city hall to sing the American national anthem and raise up posters with the name Charlie Kirk.”
The moment when Donald Trump mentions #Calgary at the gathering in Arizona honouring Charlie Kirk…. pic.twitter.com/pHDJPXBx94
— stacey brotzel (@staceybrotzel) September 21, 2025
Sunday’s memorial was held in Glendale, Arizona at State Farm Stadium and featured many other speakers, including Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Last week, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra also gave a nod to those who went to a vigil for Kirk in Calgary. He reposted a video of people singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Some held American flags and handmade posters. At the end of the video, many broke out chanting, “U.S.A., U.S.A.!”
“Thank you, Calgary, for standing with us,” wrote Hoekstra on X .
The vigil for Kirk in Calgary was held on Sept. 14 at city hall, where many brought signs and candles, per Global News . Reports of the number of attendees varied, from hundreds to up to 2,000, according to the Calgary Herald . Some said they were grateful to Kirk for “helping them find Jesus,” CTV News reported .
Canadians in Calgary paid tribute to Charlie Kirk by singing the American National Anthem.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 15, 2025
Many were holding up signs saying “I am Charlie Kirk” and “Be the Charlie Kirk we need in the world.”
Wow.
pic.twitter.com/pW7aBP3VYG
American commentator and YouTuber Benny Johnson commented on how Canadians in Calgary paid tribute to Kirk, “many were holding up signs saying ‘I am Charlie Kirk’ and ‘Be the Charlie Kirk we need in the world.'” He posted on X on Sept. 15, “Wow.”
Vigils for Kirk in the province were also held in Edmonton and Red Deer, per CityNews .
One woman, Patrica Every, who attended and spoke at the Edmonton vigil, told The Tyee that she did it as a way to “ thank him for being our voice when we were no longer heard over the violent screaming of our oppressors, in public and in the government.”
“He was the biggest advocate for democracy, freedom of speech, an advocate for reform against extremist violence from the left,” she said.
Just days after Kirk was killed, country singer Morgan Wallen performed for two nights in Edmonton. Alberta Premier commended the singer in a post on X for making a tribute to Kirk’s widow. She also said she was “moved by the compassion of Albertans” as they were set to gather at vigils in the province “to honour Charlie’s memory.”
What a beautiful moment as Edmonton joined Morgan Wallen to honour Erika Kirk recently with this tribute.
— Danielle Smith (@ABDanielleSmith) September 15, 2025
I continue 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. pic.twitter.com/yzSHY8U3uR
Kirk was killed on Sept. 10 after being shot at an event he was hosting at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. The political influencer was known for debating a wide range of topics such as religion, racism and abortion, and for his promotion of Christian values. He was a divisive figure due to some of his stances. The 31-year-old was a husband and father of two. The man suspected in his murder, Tyler James Robinson , is being held without bail and has been charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Other vigils have been held across the country to honour Kirk. In Winnipeg on Sept. 16, a crowd of more than a thousand showed up to show their support.
Mellissa Gladue, 31, told the National Post that she was drawn to the event because of her admiration for Kirk, how he spoke openly about his Christianity, and was able to debate people openly. The resident of Niverville, about a 30-minute drive from Winnipeg, went to the vigil with her fiancé outside of the Manitoba Legislative Building around 7:30 p.m. CT (6:30 p.m. ET).
“Charlie Kirk was the epitome of Christians across the world. He was brave enough to speak the bold truth about the gospel and not being afraid to have public debate and discussion on values aligning with Christianity,” said Gladue. “It is not easy as Christians to go against the norm and debate God with people who may not believe.”
She said she didn’t know what to expect when she arrived at the legislature building, but people of all backgrounds and ages were there, “hugging, praying, laughing, crying.”
The Winnipeg vigil was organized by Patrick Allard, per local radio station CHVN-FM . He shared a photo of the event on Facebook with the message, “We are all Charlie Kirk.”
In 2023, Allard ran as an independent candidate for St. Johns , a provincial riding in Winnipeg, according to Elections Manitoba. He was described by CHVN-FM as an “outspoken critic of COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates.”
“Feels like a lot of love is in the air,” Allard said, speaking to those in attendance on Tuesday night, CHVN-FM reported. On Facebook, Allard posted about another vigil being held on Sept. 20 in La Broquerie, a predominantly French-speaking community southeast of Winnipeg.
Also on Sept. 16, a vigil was held in Regina, Saskatchewan, with roughly 200 people in attendance, local radio station CKRM reported . The event’s organizer Marlissa Butz told the publication that she was deeply affected by Kirk’s death.
“I couldn’t sleep, and I was just crying for his wife,” she said. “And I have an 18-month-old on my own, and to think about if his dad wasn’t there, and how do I explain that to him.”
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