Large crowd turns out to Landreth Park for Charlie Kirk tribute

A large crowd turned out to Joplin’s Landreth Park Tuesday night for a special tribute to the late Charlie Kirk.

The event featured Christian music, prayer and statements from local officials.

Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis told the crowd:

” Charlie Kirk always said ideas mattered. He challenged us to think clearly, to speak boldly and never to retreat from conviction.  Charlie believed in freedom.

“How fitting is it that about two hours ago, the President of the United States awarded to him, to Charlie Kirk’s wife, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

In a prayer at the outset of the tribute, a local minister said:

“Help us to pray for our enemies and forgive those who spitefully used us.  And Father, we also pray for Tyler Robinson, for the man who shot him. We pray he would find salvation. We pray for his family, that they would find peace.

“We pray for the mockers, We pray for the scoffers. And we pray for those who are against what we are doing today.”

The attendees received free bracelets — printed on one side with “I am Charlie Kirk” and on the other with “Make Heaven Crowded.”

They also received candles for the tribute.