Strict rules at Charlie Kirk's funeral as thousands set to be turned away
Thousands of people have gathered in Arizona today to celebrate the life of activist Charlie Kirk, who tragically died earlier this month after being fatally shot in Utah.
The 31-year-old, who was a huge supporter of Donald Trump and founded the conservative organisation Turning Point USA, died on September 10 after being shot in the neck by a bullet while he spoke at Utah Valley University.
The president, who confirmed his death on social media, is in attendance in Arizona alongside several other huge names in American politics.
Unsurprisingly, there is a huge security presence at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, with the football stadium chosen for several very specific reasons, as the US look to avoid any further political demonstrations or violence at the event.
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However, thousands of people hoping to pay their respects to Kirk in person are set to be turned away at the event, according to CNN.
However, anyone attending must adhere to the numerous strict rules that security will enforce throughout the funeral.
An exhaustive list of banned materials has been published ahead of the heavily guarded event, which includes: laptops, video cameras, balloons, aerosols, fireworks, posters/signage, bicycles, chewing tobacco, and alcohol.
Anyone who turns up with those items, or in fact a bag, is expected to be turned away at the door, with Officer M. Mendez from the Glendale Police Department explaining to The Sun exactly why it has been so challenging to organise.
He said: "We're prepared. We're confident that we will be able to take care of any matters that arise and keep the public safe, all the attendees, and anyone that is in the area."
"We don't know an exact number, but we are expecting some people coming to protest, whatever their message is, whether it's for or against this memorial service or what Charlie Kirk stands for, we don't know, but we will be prepared.
"We have a specific team assigned and designated to take care of them and there will be an area designated for them. We've been working non-stop with all our partnering agencies, but we have to do it, you know, it's our duty, and we take pride in keeping our community safe."
CNN’s security correspondent Josh Campbell said that it appears the stadium is now at capacity, as he continued, "People have been turned away, who were waiting here for hours and hours in line, but they do have other areas that they can go: the overflow area."
An armed man was already arrested at the venue earlier today after being found with both a knife and a gun, and it is likely that several more Americans wishing to send their condolences could fall foul of the rules at the event.
Meanwhile, Kirk's alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, could face the death penalty if he is convicted, having been charged with aggravated murder after being taken into custody just 33 hours after the FBI investigation into the shooting began.
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump
James Moorhouse