ARI HEIGHT, WPBF 25 NEWS. STATE LAWMAKERS WANT TO DESIGNATE TODAY AS A NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR CHARLIE KIRK. TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN KIRK’S 32ND BIRTHDAY. SENATOR RICK SCOTT SUBMITTED A RESOLUTION IN SEPTEMBER CALLING FOR THE DESIGNATION, AND IT WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE. REPORTER CALEB CALIFANO TELLS US ABOUT THAT ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE RESPONSE FROM LEADERS. REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVES IN TALLAHASSEE ARE PUSHING FOR A NEW DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, THIS TIME REMEMBERING CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES YVETTE BENNETT AND MEG WEINBERGER ANNOUNCED. HOUSE BILL 125 NEW LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DESIGNATE OCTOBER 14TH AS CHARLIE KIRK DAY OF REMEMBRANCE IN FLORIDA, THE SAME DAY AS THE KIRK’S BIRTHDAY. SO IT’S A REMEMBRANCE DAY. I MEAN, HONESTLY, TO HONOR A MAN WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO REALLY WAKING UP A GENERATION, REMINDING YOUNG AMERICANS FAMILY, FAITH, FREEDOM, TRUTH. YOU KNOW, IT’S WORTH DEFENDING. WPBF 25 NEWS DID ASK BOTH REPRESENTATIVES ON THEIR THOUGHTS IF SOMEONE OPPOSES MAKING OCTOBER 14TH A DAY FROM SOMEONE THEY MAY HAVE DISAGREED WITH. BOTH REPRESENTATIVES TELL ME PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISAGREE WITH THE BILL, AND THEY HOPE IT HELPS ENCOURAGE MORE DISCUSSIONS ON OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS. I MEAN, I WOULD SAY THAT’S THEIR THAT’S THEIR CHOICE. THAT’S, YOU KNOW, THEY DON’T HAVE TO LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE CELEBRATING A LIFE THAT HAS LEFT SO MUCH FOR FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS. YOU DON’T HAVE TO AGREE WITH ME, AND WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE ON THINGS. SO, YOU KNOW, I HOPE IT ENCOURAGES MORE DISCUSSION, MORE ENGAGEMENT, AND MORE RESPECTFUL CONVERSATIONS WHEN WE DON’T AGREE ON THINGS. IF THE BILL WERE TO PASS, IT WOULD TAKE EFFECT IN 2026. CALEB CALIFANO, WPBF 25 NEWS. WE REACHED OUT TO THE FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR A STATEMENT, AND THEY SAID WE FIRMLY STAND AGAINST POLITICAL VIOLENCE OF ANY KIND. THE SHOOTING OF MR. KIRK REPRESENTS A DEEP ROT THAT WE’RE SEEING FROM THE PREVALENCE OF EXTREME RADICALIZATION ONLINE. IN A TIME OF SUCH UPHEAVAL, FLORIDIANS A
Republican Florida lawmakers draft legislation for a Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance
Updated: 5:52 PM EDT Oct 14, 2025
Republican state representatives in Tallahassee are pushing to create a new day of recognition, one honoring Conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Reps. Yvette Benarroch and Meg Weinberger announced House Bill 125, which would designate Oct. 14 as “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance” in Florida. That date marks the late Conservative activist’s birthday.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News”It’s a Remembrance Day,” said Weinberger, who represents District 94. “To honor a man who devoted his life to really waking up your generation, reminding young Americans family, faith, freedom, truth is worth defending.”Both lawmakers addressed the possibility of opposition to the proposal, saying disagreement is part of democracy and could spark important conversations.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.”You don’t have to agree with me, and we can agree to disagree on things. I hope it encourages more discussion, more engagement, and more respectful conversations when we don’t agree on things,” Benarroch, who represents District 81, said.The Florida Democratic Party released the following statement:”The Florida Democratic Party firmly stands against political violence of any kind. The shooting of Mr. Kirk represents a deep rot we’re seeing from the prevalence of extreme radicalization online. In a time of such upheaval, Floridians are looking for solutions, not symbolic gestures. It would be a better use of taxpayer dollars to research why young men are being radicalized in the far reaches of the internet, and work to create remedies that get them off of their phones and into supportive communities.”If passed, the bill would take effect in 2026.Top Headlines: Reported home invasion in Port St. Lucie prompts investigation
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
Republican state representatives in Tallahassee are pushing to create a new day of recognition, one honoring Conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Reps. Yvette Benarroch and Meg Weinberger announced House Bill 125, which would designate Oct. 14 as “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance” in Florida. That date marks the late Conservative activist’s birthday.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“It’s a Remembrance Day,” said Weinberger, who represents District 94. “To honor a man who devoted his life to really waking up your generation, reminding young Americans family, faith, freedom, truth is worth defending.”
Both lawmakers addressed the possibility of opposition to the proposal, saying disagreement is part of democracy and could spark important conversations.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
“You don’t have to agree with me, and we can agree to disagree on things. I hope it encourages more discussion, more engagement, and more respectful conversations when we don’t agree on things,” Benarroch, who represents District 81, said.
The Florida Democratic Party released the following statement:
“The Florida Democratic Party firmly stands against political violence of any kind. The shooting of Mr. Kirk represents a deep rot we’re seeing from the prevalence of extreme radicalization online. In a time of such upheaval, Floridians are looking for solutions, not symbolic gestures. It would be a better use of taxpayer dollars to research why young men are being radicalized in the far reaches of the internet, and work to create remedies that get them off of their phones and into supportive communities.”
If passed, the bill would take effect in 2026.
Top Headlines:
Reported home invasion in Port St. Lucie prompts investigation