CHAOS erupted in Times Square following the unveiling of a $100,000 statue honoring slain conservative figure Charlie Kirk, as far-right activist Jake Lang was punched by a protester.
The dramatic scenes unfolded on Thursday as supporters and opponents gathered on the first anniversary of the Turning Point USA founder’s assassination.
6
6
A 6ft 5in bronze-painted sculpture depicting Kirk seated with a microphone and wearing a “FREEDOM” T-shirt was unveiled in the tourist hotspot in his memory.
But tensions boiled over shortly afterward when Lang, a pardoned January 6 defendant and controversial far-right activist, arrived at the scene.
Lang was immediately heckled by protesters, including some who accused him of being a Nazi.
He hit back at the taunts, insisting he was not a Nazi and declaring that “Nazis are losers.”
An eyewitness told The U.S. Sun that Lang showed up shortly after the statue unveiling at around 2:35pm before becoming engulfed by the crowd.
They said they saw Lang running through Times Square as he was chased by a huge group of people.
Video obtained by The U.S. Sun shows Lang attempting to get into a taxi as the crowd surrounded him, shouting, “Back the f*** up.”
Moments later, a tall man appears to strike Lang on the side of the head.
Most read in The Sun
TAKE THE PIPS
Labour making disability benefits ‘EASIER’ to claim as welfare bill balloons
LAW WORRY
Brits fear people with learning difficulties are vulnerable to assisted suicide
THINNER WINNER
Bonkers mechanic smashes world record with narrowest ever car at just 19.5in
Lang was then seen lunging toward the man as others attempted to keep them apart and police intervened.
He eventually escaped the crowds by disappearing into the subway, the eyewitness said.
6
6
One conservative Kirk supporter who attended the unveiling told The U.S. Sun he had come to Times Square to help keep the activist’s legacy alive.
He said: “First of all, I’m definitely a conservative person. I’m also a proud American.
“I’m also a fan of Kirk. I’m here to support the cause and also to spread his legacy and his name.”
The supporter said Kirk’s assassination should transcend political divides, adding: “Whether you’re liberal or conservative, it’s definitely wrong to shoot one of us in cold blood.
“Especially a person who’s a Christian man and also has kids and a wife.”
Another man at the scene, Dan Roth, told The U.S. Sun he had come to confront those whose views he considered intolerant.
“My political agenda is I don’t like intolerant people,” he said.
“I saw a bunch of people preaching intolerance, and I felt the need to tell them that they’re not American.”
Lang has become a controversial fixture at political protests since being released from federal custody following President Donald Trump’s sweeping clemency for January 6 defendants.
He had faced charges over his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, including allegations that he assaulted police officers.
Lang appeared in New York after recently descending on Plymouth, Massachusetts, during the high-profile Lindsay Clancy murder trial.
He has also staged anti-Muslim demonstrations and faced accusations of antisemitism in the past.
Thursday’s confrontation came amid continuing political divisions over Kirk’s legacy a year after his murder.
6
6
Fox News host Will Cain, who was Kirk’s friend and interviewed him the day before his death, told The U.S. Sun this week he had been troubled by the reaction to the assassination.
Cain criticized mocking responses from parts of the left while also hitting out at figures on the right who he said had turned Kirk’s death into a “soap opera” for content.
He warned the fallout had fractured parts of the conservative movement in ways that “may not be easily healable.”
Meanwhile, tributes poured in across the country on Thursday to mark the anniversary.
Trump honored Kirk at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday night, telling the crowd, “We love you, Charlie,” as his widow Erika received a standing ovation.
Vice President JD Vance also paid tribute to his late friend, while Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared September 10 “Charlie Kirk Day” and called on Americans to reject political violence.
Italian-born artist Sergio Furnari spent around $100,000 of his own money creating the Times Square sculpture, which depicts Kirk clutching the microphone synonymous with his campus debates.
Furnari has said he was disturbed by the reaction to Kirk’s death and intended the monument to promote freedom of speech and conversation rather than deepen political divisions.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck while taking questions during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
He had been discussing gun violence moments before a single shot rang out.
Tyler Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated murder over Kirk’s killing.
A judge recently ordered Robinson to trial, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty if he is convicted.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA and became one of the most influential figures on the American right before his death.
His widow Erika has since taken over as CEO and recently opened up about grief.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Kirk’s killing sparked condemnation of political violence from across the political spectrum.
A year later, the heated scenes surrounding his Times Square memorial showed how deeply divided reactions to his death and legacy remain.