Republican Oklahoma state lawmakers will introduce legislation that would mandate all state colleges to build and erect statues honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month. The move comes as President Donald Trump and other notable figures remembered Kirk at his memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday.
The Republicans who introduced the bill
The bill, pre-filed by state senators Shane Jett and Dan Prieto, would require every state-funded university in Oklahoma to dedicate a prominent location on its main campus to a statue of Kirk, either seated at a table with an empty chair in front of him or one of Kirk along with his wife and children. The size of the statue and depiction, however, are still subject to legislative approval and oversight, as reported by Newsweek.
Requirements
Under the bill, a permanent plaque would need to be included with the statue to describe the late conservative influencer as a “voice of a generation, modern civil rights leader, vocal Christian, martyr for truth and faith, and free speech advocate.”
If passed and signed into law, the deadline for completion of the statues would be March 1, 2028. Public universities would be fined if they’re not in compliance by the deadline. The bill also holds institutions responsible for the upkeep of the memorials, including protecting them from vandalism. If a student or faculty staff member is to vandalize or deface the statue, the legislation instructs the school to expel the student or terminate the employee.
Debate on Kirk’s legacy
Critics of the move argue that it violates free speech rights by mandating the construction of the statues at public universities. Martin Luther King III rejected Kirk being categorized as a civil rights leader, citing his comments on people of color, particularly Black women.
“I just disagree with the position that his force was about inclusiveness,” he told WAVY. “When you denigrate Black women and say that somebody is in a position just because of their skin, that’s gravely false.”
The bill is still under consideration in the legislature and was first reported on by the Guardian.
The legislation is the latest in a debate across the United States over Kirk’s role in American history.
Republicans have honored Kirk’s memory and vowed to discipline those who disparage the conservative activist’s image, including targeting employment, visas and funding for schools for those who are accused of celebrating Kirk’s death.
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