Photo of Charlie Kirk on display as UCF members mourn the loss of their national organization’s co-founder.
Shane Winsten
A bill is actively in the Florida Senate to ensure right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk will never be forgotten.
On Oct. 14, 2025, Republican state Sen. Johnathan Martin filed Senate Bill 194, also known as the Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill would be enacted on July 1 and, if passed, would mark every Oct. 14, Kirk’s birthday, as a day of remembrance for the activist.
As of Feb. 24, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee voted on the bill, 12 yeas to 6 nays, and it has been placed on the calendar for a second reading.
Dr. Aubrey Jewett, associate professor and associate director for the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs at UCF, commented on the likelihood of the bill passing.
“Republicans have a super majority of both the House and Senate,” Jewett said. “If most Republicans in the legislature want the bill to pass, it’ll pass. Democrats can’t stop it.”
The bill text gave reasoning on why Charlie Kirk deserves a day of remembrance.
“Whereas, Charlie Kirk was a champion of free speech, civil dialogue, and faith, and whereas, Charlie Kirk consistently promoted the values of individual liberty, open debate, civic engagement, and defense of constitutional principles,” the bill reads.
The bill furthermore describes the impact left by Kirk and his political career.
“Whereas Charlie Kirk is honored for his contributions to free speech, open debate, civic education, youth leadership, and the advancement of individual liberties, which left a lasting impact on this state’s students and civic organizations, and whereas, Charlie Kirk’s tragic death on September 10, 2025, was not only a national loss but also deeply felt within Florida’s civic and educational communities,” the bill reads.
On Feb. 25, the Florida House of Representatives passed its identical bill, CS/HB 125 – Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance, with 82 yeas and 31 nays.
This is a symbolic bill and would not impact state or local government in terms of expenditures or revenues. The Charge reached out to Senator Martin’s office for comment several times and did not hear back by the time of publication.
The Students for a Democratic Society’s event titled “from the classroom to the shop floor,” held on Feb. 5 in the Health Sciences I building in room 106, hosted students who stood in solidarity with those who work in unions.
Sabrina Hansen
Marcus Polzer, president of UCF’s chapter of the Students for Democratic Society, had a different opinion on Kirk being a champion for free speech.
“You know, I support the rights of free speech, but I don’t support people spreading hate on our campuses,” Polzer said. “Unfortunately, a lot of people think that hate speech falls under free speech, which I would disagree with, and I don’t think bad faith argumentation is really a celebration of free speech either. I think it’s kind of a harm to it.”
Turning Point USA was founded by Kirk and has multiple chapters across colleges in the United States, including at UCF. Jonah Scott, president of UCF’s Turning Point chapter, said he is in complete agreement with the bill.
“I think he definitely deserves a day of remembrance, and I believe I could speak on behalf of my Turning Point chapter when I say that as well,” Scott said.
Guests at the Charlie Kirk vigil in Pegasus Ballroom on Monday embrace each other while watching a memorial video of Kirk.
Juno Le
Scott elaborated on his reasoning for agreeing with the bill, saying that he believes Kirk brought people together.
“Even Americans who disagree with him should remember him fondly and should see him as a positive force in our country, whether or not you agree on his politics,” Scott said.
Scott shared what he believes is the best way to support the bill.
“Simply live the lifestyle Charlie preached in a way,” Scott said. “Not necessarily 100% political or religious way, but I mean being willing to have a free and open discussion with people. To live the values Charlie lived. I think that is the best way you can, in spirit, support this.”
Polzer clarified that SDS had no opinion on the bill, but he believes a lot of members, including himself, are not happy about this bill.
“I think that Charlie Kirk is someone that the faster they fall out of our consciousness, the better,” said Polzer.
Polzer said he is personally opposed to the bill and gave his best way to oppose the bill.
“Calling your state legislature or your local legislators about this. Getting on the phone. Calling in is one of SDS’s strategies,” Polzer said. “Just getting the phones buzzing, showing the people that should be representing you that you’re not in favor of this bill.”
Chloe Alberti, a sophomore psychology major, said she is opposed to this bill.
“I would find it hard to see the relevance of it.” Alberti said, “I understand that a lot of quote-unquote historical figures have days of remembrances, but it’s for things that are actually historically monumental, and I don’t find that there’s anything historically monumental about anything that Charlie Kirk has said or done.”
Jewett shared possible insight as to why some Republicans feel so passionately about memorializing Kirk.
“He seemed to have a knack to talk to young people, much more so than most Republicans have been able to do,” Jewett said. “When you’re killed in literally the prime of your life as a young person, that elevates you, so some may look at you as a martyr for the cause. Others are just thinking of the tragedy and so they want to symbolically hold you close.”