Story perspectives

Charlie Kirk Statue Planned for Times Square, Permits Unclear

7/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sculptor Sergio Furnari plans to unveil a statue of activist Charlie Kirk in Times Square on September 10, 2026, at 2:23 p.m., mounted on a truck.
His GiveSendGo campaign has raised $1,462 toward a $150,000 goal despite no New York City officials confirming permits or endorsing the monument.
Social-media users, security experts, and critics predict vandalism, warn protecting statue could strain NYPD resources, and view the project as a flashpoint for civil unrest.

History

Historical Context

One of New York’s early Columbus monuments, a bronze donated by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, was unveiled in Central Park on May 12 1894. Since then the statue has been repeatedly targeted—red-paint graffiti in August 2017 and removal orders during the 2020 George Floyd protests. These episodes illustrate a century-long pattern of contested monuments prompting municipal spending and public debate.

1 of 2

Story summary

Sculptor Sergio Furnari plans to unveil a statue of activist Charlie Kirk in Times Square on September 10, 2026, at 2:23 p.m., mounted on a truck.
His GiveSendGo campaign has raised $1,462 toward a $150,000 goal despite no New York City officials confirming permits or endorsing the monument.
Social-media users, security experts, and critics predict vandalism, warn protecting statue could strain NYPD resources, and view the project as a flashpoint for civil unrest.

1 / 2