Statue of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk to be Erected at New College of Florida
SARASOTA, FL – New College of Florida will erect a statue honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last week at an event in Utah, the university announced Tuesday. Privately funded by community leaders, the statue is intended as a demonstration of the school’s commitment to free speech and civil discourse.
The location for the statue on campus will be determined in the coming months, according to the university’s statement. The move comes amid a national outpouring of grief and calls for Kirk’s legacy to be preserved, especially within conservative circles.
Fellow conservative commentator Benny Johnson called the statue ”incredible” on X, formerly Twitter. Eric Daugherty, assistant news director at Florida’s Voice, wrote that “Universities nationwide should follow suit!”
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican who credits kirk with launching her political career, has spearheaded efforts to honor him on a national scale. the day after Kirk’s assassination, Luna posted on X advocating for House Speaker Mike Johnson to commission a statue of Kirk for the U.S.Capitol “to honor his legacy and to serve as a permanent testament to his life, work, and sacrifice.” She was joined by 15 colleagues in a letter to Johnson urging the placement.
The announcement follows the formal charging of Tyler Robinson, 22, with aggravated murder and othre offenses – including obstruction of justice and witness tampering – in connection with Kirk’s death. robinson was apprehended 33 hours after the shooting last Wednesday and faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
