A Florida institution has revealed plans to erect a statue in memory of the late Charlie Kirk, a prominent figure in the conservative movement.
Kirk's untimely death, resulting from a violent incident at Utah Valley University, has prompted various organizations to commemorate his contributions to conservatism, free speech, and civil discourse.
According to Gateway Pundit, the New College of Florida, a public liberal arts institution located in Sarasota, is among those honoring Kirk. The college announced on the X platform, "Today, we announced that we will commission a statue of Charlie Kirk to honor his legacy and incredible work after his tragic assassination last week."
The statement further explained that the statue, funded by local community leaders, would symbolize the college's dedication to upholding free speech and civil discourse in American society. The exact location for the statue is expected to be disclosed in the coming months.
The New College of Florida has undergone significant transformation since 2023, following the appointment of new leadership by Governor Ron DeSantis. The institution, once known for its liberal stance, has since abolished its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, banned critical race theory, and adopted a merit-based admissions policy.
These changes led to the resignation of 40 percent of the faculty, who were discontented with the shift in direction. However, the college has experienced a surge in student applications, including from minority groups, since implementing these reforms.
Governor DeSantis praised the tribute to Kirk, viewing it as a testament to the "positive changes" at the college. He remarked on the X platform, "When New College of Florida was a de facto Marxist compound this would have never happened," and expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating, "Good job!"
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