Full Breakdown
Proposed Times Square Statue Honoring Charlie Kirk Faces Uncertainty and Opposition
7/16/2026, 9:08:32 PM
Proposed Unveiling in Times Square
A life-sized bronze-like statue of the late Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk is slated for a public display in New York City’s Times Square on Sept. 10, the first anniversary of his fatal shooting at Utah Valley University in 2025. Sculptor Sergio Furnari, an Italian-American artist known for large-scale public works, says the monument will be mounted “really high on a truck so that everybody can see” at 2:23 p.m., the exact minute Kirk was killed. The piece depicts Kirk in a sweatshirt labeled “FREEDOM” and holding a microphone, symbolizing his campus speaking engagements.
Background & Context
Charlie Kirk rose to prominence as a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, a youth organization that operates chapters on high schools and colleges nationwide. He was assassinated on Sept. 10, 2025, during a speaking event in Orem, Utah. The killing sparked nationwide memorials and a pending criminal case against alleged shooter Tyler Robinson, who faces aggravated murder charges and a possible death penalty.
Funding and Logistics
Furnari is financing the project through a GiveSendGo crowdfunding campaign that has raised roughly $1,462 of a $150,000 target. He has also sold his apartment to support the effort. The statue’s current construction uses metal framing and industrial resin, with plans to later cast it in stainless steel “bulletproof” material. Furnari has not disclosed an exact placement within Times Square, describing the location only as “the center of the universe.”
Official Statements & Responses
No New York City agency has confirmed that permits or approvals have been granted for the installation. Fact-check reporting notes the absence of any official endorsement, sponsorship, or authorization from city officials. In Utah, prosecutors have presented evidence linking Robinson to the shooting, with closing arguments scheduled for Sept. 1 before District Judge Tony Graf.
Criticism & Opposition
Social-media users and security experts predict immediate vandalism, citing the city’s liberal political climate and Kirk’s controversial public record. One commentator warned that “this Charlie Kirk monument won’t make it overnight without being vandalized.” NYPD officials have expressed concerns about the logistical challenges of protecting a highly partisan display in a pedestrian hub that sees over 300,000 daily footfalls, noting that continuous surveillance and dedicated police details would be required. Legislative attempts in other states to create public plazas honoring Kirk have similarly encountered backlash from universities and civil-rights groups.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Furnari publicly announces a September 10 unveiling, the lack of verified permits leaves the event’s status “unconfirmed.” Crowdfunding data shows a substantial shortfall in funding, and no city documentation confirms the statue’s legal placement. Consequently, the claim that the monument will definitively appear in Times Square remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's going to be in the middle of Times Square, the center of the universe.” — Sergio Furnari
- “You can bring over whoever you want, family or friends. If you were a big fan of Charlie, this will be your opportunity to maybe find a little bit of peace or harmony.” — Sergio Furnari
- “I did not agree with 99.9% of whatever he was talking about, but there's the 0.001% that I agree with him. At the moment you kill or assassinate people just because you don't agree with somebody, that's when you become like the worst country ever,” — Sergio Furnari
- “I mean, if you guys are afraid of a statue, there's something really wrong with you.” — Sergio Furnari
What’s Next
The preliminary murder trial in Utah continues, with closing arguments set for Sept. 1. Should the statue be installed, organizers anticipate a gathering of supporters from across the country on Sept. 10, while city officials are expected to address any permit applications in the coming weeks.
