Multiple counties and cities in Florida are seeking out ways to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk after he was killed earlier this month.
The founder of Turning Point USA, 31, was fatally shot during a scheduled debating event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. Police arrested 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson days later as a suspect in the shooting and are currently seeking the death penalty.
Hundreds of cities across the country have held memorials for Kirk, including a packed memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept. 21. However, some officials in Florida are seeking a more permanent tribute to the slain activist.
Here are the places that have proposed renaming a road for Kirk, along with the status of the motions.
St. Lucie County official proposed a ‘major roadway’ in honor of Kirk
St. Lucie County Commissioner James Clasby proposed naming a major road after Kirk during a Sept. 16 meeting.
The designation, including possible locations, has yet to be approved or denied, as of Sept. 25. It could be discussed at the commission’s Oct. 14 informal meeting, County Administrator George Landry said.
Escambia County considered renaming a portion of road
Escambia County Commission Chair Mike Kohler proposed on Sept. 15 to rename a portion of North 65th Avenue to either “Charlie Kirk Way” or “Turning Point USA Road” in honor of the national college activist organization Kirk co-founded.
However, the Escambia County Commission unanimously decided, at least for now, to abandon plans to rename a road.
Lake County chooses to rename highway for Charlie Kirk
Lake County Commissioners unanimously voted to name a new highway after Kirk on Sept. 23. The new Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway, connecting Lake and Orange counties, was previously to be named Wellness Way.
Commissioner Anthony Sabatini spearheaded the memorial effort and will be made official during a naming ceremony, scheduled to take place in approximately 30 days, with a date to be determined.
“We’re actually doing the other commuter road into Orange County, Schofield Road,” Sabatini told the Daily Commercial. “It’s the longer, more beautiful road.”
The meeting did see heated discussion between the commissioners and those who spoke out against the renaming, with Sabatini calling a resident a “disgusting person” for saying he would rather see a memorial for Master Deputy Bradley Link, who was shot and killed during an ambush in August 2024.
Miami Rep. Juan Carlos Porras files bill to rename street for Charlie Kirk
Rep. Juan Carlos Porras filed a measure on Sept. 23 to rename a portion of S.R. 985/S.W. 107th Avenue between S.W. 24th Street and S.R. 90/S.W. 8th Street in Miami-Dade County to “Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue.”
The bill also would direct the Florida Department of Transportation “to erect suitable markers designating Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue.” If approved, it would take effect July 1, 2026.
Florida college to build statue of Charlie Kirk
Rendering of Charlie Kirk statue
The New College of Florida announced that it will commission a statue of Kirk to be erected on campus. According to college officials, the statue will serve as a memorial to the slain podcaster and aim to “defend and fight for free speech and civil discourse in American life.”
“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.”
Contributing reporting: Wicker Perlis, Treasure Coast Newspapers
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Charlie Kirk renamed Florida roads proposed in several areas