One Republican lawmaker from Texas called Charlie Kirk « a Christian martyr. » Another vows to erect statues of Kirk at all statewide colleges and universities.
In the week since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, lawmakers as well as institutions of higher learning have announced plans to erect statues in the conservative commentator’s memory.Why It Matters
The fatal shooting of Kirk has resulted in strong sentiments across the political spectrum and on social media, provoking passionate discussions about the limits of free speech and the role of government and lawmakers in quelling political violence.
In the immediacy of Kirk’s death on September 10, American flags were ordered at half-staff by President Donald Trump. Countless vigils and social media campaigns have celebrated Kirk’s legacy and raised funds for his family and conservative organization Turning Point USA.What To Know
Florida and Texas, two states with Republican governors and GOP legislatures, have announced intentions to never forget Kirk by erecting statues with his likeness.
The New College of Florida, a public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida, on Tuesday announced it would commission a statue of Kirk « to honor his legacy and incredible work after his tragic assassination last week. »
« The statue, privately funded by community leaders, will stand on campus as a commitment by New College to defend and fight for free speech and civil discourse in American life », the college wrote on X. « The location for the statue will be announced in the coming months. »
In a statement shared with Newsweek, New College said the location for the statue—privately funded by community leaders—will be announced in the coming months.
The announcement coincides with the school’s launch of its 2025-2026 Socratic Stage series, a platform for academic freedom, public discourse and debate aimed « to ensure that students, faculty, and the wider community experience free speech and civil discourse at its highest level. »
The former private institution was overhauled by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who in the past two years removed six of the college’s 13 trustees and replaced them with conservative-leaning individuals.
