For those present, and for the millions who later saw the images broadcast across news outlets and social media, the hand signal became one of the most unforgettable symbols of the day. But what did it mean?

The funeral of a national figure

Charlie Kirk’s funeral had already been described by federal officials as an event of “highest national significance.” The 31-year-old conservative activist — a husband, father, and founder of Turning Point USA — was assassinated on September 10 while addressing students at Utah Valley University.

According to investigators, a lone gunman fired