Hundreds of candles were lit on Thursday evening at the US Embassy in Budapest as Hungarians paid tribute to assassinated US conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The vigil was organized by right-wing publicist Zsolt Bayer, who delivered a speech alongside Director General of the Center for Fundamental Rights Miklós Szánthó, and László Molnár of the Saint Stephen Institute.
According to Magyar Nemzet, several hundred mourners gathered in front of the embassy, beginning to place candles at the designated site shortly after six o’clock.
Bayer opened the commemoration by thanking attendees for gathering under such tragic circumstances, before inviting Molnár to speak. Molnár declared that Kirk’s murder was not merely an American matter but a ‘strike against civilization, Judeo–Christian culture, and the sanctity of life’. He argued that ‘a universal value of humanity had been desecrated.’
‘This is not simply an American affair, not some trivial online squabble that can be dealt with by bans. It has stirred deep waves in our own country as well. A widow, two orphaned children, millions of heartbroken followers, and countless unanswered questions remain. Meanwhile, a politician mocked this horrific murder. That is not just a desecration of Charlie Kirk’s memory—it is a provocation against all of us who expect basic humanity from public figures,’ Molnár said, referring to recent mocking remarks by the Hungarian opposition.
Szánthó then addressed the crowd, declaring that ‘today, we are all Charlie Kirks’. He said the young activist was murdered for professing his Christian, sovereigntist, and patriotic views. ‘He was a cultured, normal young man who embodied a civilized culture of debate. He did not incite or spew hatred. He became known as an opinion leader by starting a series of events at universities—he would sit with a chair and a table, and any student could approach him, ask questions, and speak with him. Charlie Kirk had excellent logical and rhetorical skills, he was a smart young man, and he engaged in calm, peaceful debates with students,’ Szánthó stressed.
At the close of the commemoration, Bayer returned to the stage, invoking a biblical parable of Jesus Christ. ‘We now feel—and let us say this boldly—that we have run out of bread to throw back, we have no more cheeks to turn. And that means enough is enough,’ he said. He added that there had been enough of ‘neo-Marxist, far-left, anarchist, Antifa terror and opinion terror’.
Bayer concluded by citing Erika Kirk, the widow of the slain activist. ‘When she first managed to speak after her husband’s murder, she said her sobs would echo across the world as a battle cry. Yes, Erika Kirk, thank you. We hear your sobs, we understand your battle cry—that is why we are here today.’
There will be another memorial on Sunday, 21 September, at the US Embassy in Budapest, held in parallel with the funeral of Charlie Kirk in the United States.
Related articles:
