A life-size statue honoring conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was unveiled in New York City’s Times Square on Thursday, marking exactly one year since he was fatally shot during a university speaking event in Utah.
The sculpture was presented to the public at 2:23 p.m. Eastern Time, which Turning Point USA’s Frontlines said corresponded with the time Kirk was shot on September 10, 2025.
Following the unveiling, the statue was transported around the Times Square area on a truck, allowing it to remain visible above crowds in one of Manhattan’s busiest locations.
Sculpture Depicts Kirk Holding a Microphone
Italian-born New York artist Sergio Furnari created the approximately life-size monument, depicting Kirk seated with a microphone in his hand.
The sculpture shows him wearing a gray sweatshirt bearing the word “FREEDOM” across the chest.
Furnari described the work as approximately 6 feet 5 inches tall and said he financed the project himself, spending around $100,000 when materials and his own labor were included.
Rather than installing the statue permanently at a single location, the artist mounted it on a truck, allowing the sculpture to be elevated and transported through Times Square.
Artist Says Project Was About Opposing Political Violence
Furnari said his decision to commemorate Kirk did not mean he agreed with all of the activist’s political positions.
Instead, he described the project as a statement against political violence and in support of freedom of expression and artistic creation.
Speaking to Fox News ahead of the unveiling, Furnari said there were aspects of Kirk’s views with which he disagreed but argued that political differences should not prevent people from defending the right of others to express their beliefs.
For Furnari, the sculpture became a way of connecting freedom of political expression with his own belief in artistic freedom.
Treatment of Kirk’s Family Motivated Sculptor
Furnari said the public reaction toward Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and his parents following the killing played a significant role in motivating him to complete the project.
He argued that political affiliation should not eliminate basic empathy for a family dealing with the violent death of a loved one.
The artist said his determination grew further after seeing people continue to mock Kirk following his death.
Furnari described the repeated ridicule as a symbolic continuation of the violence, saying he felt Kirk was being attacked again each time his killing became a subject of celebration.
Furnari Says He Received Threats Over Statue
The artist also said he faced a substantial volume of hostile messages and threats while preparing the Times Square display.
Furnari claimed some online users threatened to damage the sculpture, while others directed violent comments toward him personally.
He said the possibility of vandalism forced him to become creative about how the statue would be unveiled and displayed.
Despite those messages, Furnari said he was not intimidated and remained determined to publicly present the work on the anniversary.
Kirk Was Killed During Utah University Appearance
Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while appearing at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
His death prompted widespread political reaction across the United States and renewed debate about political violence and security surrounding prominent activists and public figures.
Tyler Robinson has been accused in connection with Kirk’s killing and has pleaded not guilty to charges that include aggravated murder. The criminal case remains unresolved.
Turning Point USA Unveils Separate Monument in Phoenix
The Times Square sculpture was one of several commemorations organized around the country to mark the first anniversary of Kirk’s death.
Turning Point USA separately unveiled an eight-foot statue outside its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona.
In an anniversary statement, the organization remembered Kirk as its founder, leader and friend and said he had been killed while carrying out the work to which he had dedicated much of his life — speaking to young Americans and encouraging them to openly defend their beliefs.
Turning Point USA said the year following his death had been extraordinarily difficult for those who worked closely with him.
Utah Declares September 10 “Charlie Kirk Day”
Commemorations also took place in Utah, where Kirk was killed.
Governor Spencer Cox declared September 10 “Charlie Kirk Day,” creating an official state observance on the anniversary of the assassination.
Utah Valley University, the location of the fatal shooting, canceled classes for the day as memorial activities were planned.
Additional commemorative events were scheduled elsewhere as supporters, relatives and organizations associated with Kirk reflected on his life and political influence.
Times Square Tribute Highlights Debate Over Political Violence
The decision to display Kirk’s likeness prominently in Times Square placed the anniversary remembrance at the center of one of America’s most visible public spaces.
While Kirk remained a deeply polarizing political figure, Furnari said the purpose of his sculpture went beyond agreement with the activist’s ideology.
For the artist, the monument was intended to communicate a broader principle: political disagreements should be fought through speech and debate rather than violence.
One year after Kirk’s killing, the Times Square statue and commemorations across the country showed how his death continues to resonate within America’s increasingly contentious political landscape.
