Protests Erupt in EU Parliament Over Rejected Moment of Silence for Charlie Kirk
A scene unfolded in the European Union Parliament on Thursday as conservative members expressed their outrage against a proposal to hold a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, which was rejected.
Charlie Weimers, a Swedish MEP from the conservative Swedish Democrats, urged his colleagues to observe a silent tribute for Kirk, who was tragically shot in the head while at Utah Valley University. The EU President, Roberta Metosora, dismissed the proposal, leading to an uproar among conservative members who began banging their desks and shouting in protest.
Weimers passionately stated, “President Madame, my dear colleague, the murder of political activists, my beloved husband, father, and patriot Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through the world. We must firmly denounce the political violence and the kind of rhetoric that fuels such violence.”
Addressing the assembly in German, Metosora suggested that such respect could be shown at the start of the plenary session and mentioned that the next opportunity for this would be in October.
A similar uproar occurred in the House of Representatives the night before. Democrats loudly opposed a request from Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert to pray for Kirk. House Speaker Mike Johnson attempted repeatedly to bring order in response to Boebert’s request.
Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna, who previously worked at Turning Point USA, shouted at a Democrat, “Y’all caused this!”
An assailant fired a shot at Kirk from a building about 200 yards away during his speech. The suspect, described as a young man dressed in a black sweatshirt, hat, and sunglasses, was captured in a photograph released by the FBI in Salt Lake City.
On Wednesday, authorities made two incorrect arrests linked to the assassination, later releasing the true suspect. Investigators found a powerful bolt-action firearm along with ammunition and materials supporting transgender and anti-fascist causes in wooded areas.
