Are Oklahoma lawmakers considering a bill that would require Charlie Kirk statues on every college campus in Oklahoma?

SB 1187, prefiled for the 2026 legislative session, would require every Oklahoma institution of higher education to construct a “Charlie Kirk Memorial Plaza,” with a statue of Charlie Kirk as its central element. It would also provide grants for private institutions to do the same.

The emergency bill specifies that the plaza and its statue, which must meet minimum size and configuration specifications, must be placed prominently at each institution in a location with high visibility and ease of access.

Plazas must include signage “explaining the significance of Charlie Kirk as a voice of a generation, modern civil rights leader, vocal Christian, martyr for truth and faith, and a free speech advocate.” 

The bill would require institutions to submit their plans with projected timelines by March 1, 2027 and complete construction within the year. Failure to meet the completion deadline would cost institutions a fine of 1% of their monthly budget per month of noncompliance.