New College of Florida will commission a statue of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk to be erected on campus.
The founder of Turning Point USA, 31, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. Police arrested 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson as a suspect in the shooting.
“Charlie Kirk knew that universities are ground zero for free speech and the marketplace of ideas. These ideas are not luxuries, but the foundation of a free republic,” New College President Richard Corcoran said.
“His life and tragic death remind us all that a nation cannot survive if it abandons these rights. At New College, we will not step back from this responsibility — we will champion it and seek to be known as the number one college in the nation when it comes to supporting civil debate and freedom of speech.”
The announcement of the statue comes after the college launched its new “Socratic Stage” series, which is set to kick off on Sept. 23. The college will host public discourse and debates at the Mildred Sainer Pavilion.
Where is the New College of Florida?
The New College of Florida is located on 5800 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota.
See rendering of Charlie Kirk statue at Florida college
Rendering of Charlie Kirk statue
Where will the Charlie Kirk statue be located?
It is unknown where exactly the statue of Kirk will be located at the New College of Florida.
Why is New College of Florida constructing Charlie Kirk statue?
According to college officials, the statue will be a memorial for the slain podcaster and seek to “defend and fight for free speech and civil discourse in American life.”
“Since its founding in 1960, New College has stood as a place where the free exchange of ideas is not only protected but celebrated,” New College Board of Trustees Chair Debra Jenks said. “This statue will serve as a reminder of that history and our responsibility to carry it forward. Public discourse is not optional in a free society — it is essential.”
According to Sarasota Magazine, who the donors are, or whether support came from alumni, the general public, the board of trustees or faculty, is unknown. The approval process, the cost and how they will choose the artist have also not been revealed at this time.
Is Charlie Kirk from Sarasota?
Sort of. Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and was living in Phoenix, Arizona, with his family at the time of his death.
Kirk did purchase a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on Longboat Key for $855,000 in 2019, property records show. It is not known how much time he spent in Sarasota County.
Have any other places proposed a statue of Charlie Kirk?
Yes.
A group of 16 congressional republicans has requested that a monument be built in the United States Capitol to honor Kirk, according to USA TODAY. The group included Reps. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
“This is not a symbolic gesture, but a permanent testament to his life’s work, his courage, and his sacrifice,” they wrote in a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sept. 11. “It will stand as a reminder that political disagreement must never be answered with violence, and that the fight for truth must carry on.”
There are multiple petitions for Utah Valley University, where Kirk was killed, to erect a statue of him. The university has not spoken publicly about any plans for a statue, as of Sept. 16.
Will Charlie Kirk’s funeral be livestreamed? What to know
According to USA TODAY, a public memorial service for Kirk is scheduled to take place at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, Sept. 21, according to Turning Point USA.
“Join us in celebrating the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Charlie Kirk, an American legend,” the post reads.
As of Sept. 16, there is no mention of a live stream on its website or social media. Doors are expected to open for Kirk’s memorial service at 8 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST), according to the organization, and the program is planned to begin at 11 a.m. MST.
Contributing: Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida college plans statue of activist Charlie Kirk on campus
