The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent hard-right activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, has ignited a wave of political mobilization, most notably by Tommy Robinson, who is orchestrating what is anticipated to be Britain’s largest far-right rally in decades. Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday afternoon while speaking at an event hosted at Utah Valley University (UVU), an incident his widow, Erika Kirk, described as an act against his message of patriotism, faith, and God’s love.

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is leveraging Kirk’s death to galvanize support for the London rally, which he has also been heavily monetizing. The event is slated to feature high-profile speakers from Britain, the US, and Europe, including Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former chief strategist. Other listed speakers are Ant Middleton, a former UK special forces soldier with increasingly far-right rhetoric; an MP for Germany’s far-right AfD party; a far-right Polish MEP; and Joey Mannarino, a US right-wing commentator. However, there are doubts regarding the appearance of Canadian psychology professor Jordan Peterson, despite his online support for Robinson. Police have imposed a pause on new leave bookings, bracing for potential violence on the fringes of the event, which is expected to draw tens of thousands, with anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate estimating upwards of 40,000 attendees.

Robinson has recently stated his affiliation with Advance UK, a party formed by former senior figures in Reform UK, and has increasingly embraced an outwardly Christian nationalist stance. The rally is expected to attract Christian nationalists and individuals who have participated in recent protests outside asylum-seeker accommodations, as well as a core support network from football fan and hooligan firms associated with the English Defence League (EDL).

Charlie Kirk played a pivotal role in drawing young people, particularly men, into the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement through his use of divisive and at times bigoted rhetoric. He advocated for no separation between church and state, claimed Democrats represented everything “God hates,” and propagated conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. His inflammatory views included describing immigration from Muslim countries as “civilizational suicide,” and calling for a total ban on transgender healthcare.

Erika Kirk, speaking from her husband’s Turning Point USA office, vowed that his message and mission would become “stronger, bolder, louder and greater than ever.” She proclaimed, “We’ll never surrender,” reflecting one of her husband’s mottos. She confirmed that Turning Point USA’s campus tour would continue and urged high school and college students to join or establish chapters at their schools to further his cause. She thanked law enforcement for apprehending the suspect, as well as JD Vance and Donald Trump, for their friendship and support.

Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, expressed his condolences on Truth Social, writing, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.” However, in a Fox & Friends interview, Trump controversially declined to call for unity after the shooting, instead blaming “radicals on the left” for societal problems.

The alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old, was identified by officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, and subsequently arrested. Investigators revealed that Robinson had an intense obsession with guns from a young age, evidenced by social media posts showing him with various firearms, including an M2 Browning .50 calibre machine gun and a bazooka, and receiving a ‘build it yourself’ rifle kit as a Christmas gift. His parents are registered Republicans, and he briefly attended Utah State University on scholarship in 2021.

Kirk was shot with a Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle from a rooftop approximately 200 yards away, collapsing moments after answering a question about mass shootings. Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Robinson’s arrest, stating, “We got him,” and called Kirk’s assassination a “watershed moment.” Investigators learned from Robinson’s family that he had become increasingly political and had expressed disdain for Kirk, describing him as “full of hate.” Casings from the weapon were found to have anti-fascist messages engraved on them, including references to the WW2 Italian anti-fascist song “Bella Ciao” and phrases like “Hey Fascists, Catch!” Robinson’s roommate also provided Discord messages discussing retrieving a rifle and engraved bullets.

In response to the far-right rally, a counter-protest organized by “Stand Up to Racism” will take place, led by a “Women Against the Far Right” contingent including MPs Zarah Sultana and Diane Abbott. Abbott stated, “The far right are a menace to the whole of society. Their first targets, asylum seekers and Muslims, are broadening to all migrants, black people and on to trade unionists, all religious minorities and anti-racists.” The Metropolitan police have acknowledged public safety concerns, particularly among Muslim communities, and have advised that everyone should feel safe traveling into and around London on Saturday, which will also host multiple football fixtures.