Road to Division: Collier County Names Immokalee Stretch After Right-Wing Podcaster

NAPLES, Fla. (Oct. 28, 2025) — In a contentious decision, Collier County commissioners voted 4–1 Tuesday to rename a 15-mile stretch of Immokalee Road as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.” The board’s conservative majority pushed through the dedication to the late right-wing podcaster — slain last month during a college event — despite hours of public backlash and a lone dissenting vote from the commission chair.

Officials praised Kirk as a patriotic role model, echoing Fox News–style rhetoric, even as many residents blasted the move as tone-deaf and divisive, given his lack of local ties and history of inflammatory comments.

Commission Approves “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” in Split Vote

Collier County’s Board of Commissioners meeting drew an impassioned crowd as officials voted to designate a section of Immokalee Road as “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.” The 15-mile stretch from Oil Well Road to U.S. 41 will bear the late podcaster’s name, with four highway signs installed along the route.

The resolution — introduced by Commissioner Chris Hall — was initially placed on the consent agenda, typically reserved for noncontroversial items approved without discussion. But after growing public protest, the board opened the issue for debate. Four commissioners voted yes while Chairman Burt Saunders cast the sole no vote.

Under the plan, Collier County will post the new signs at four intersections, including each junction with I-75. The project’s cost was reduced from $3,000 to $2,000 by cutting the number of signs from six to four. Commissioner Rick LoCastro — who ultimately supported the renaming — admitted he received over 500 emails “mostly against the proposal,” and even warned that the signs could invite vandalism.

The vote capped a two-week span of official tributes to Kirk. Just days earlier, on October 14, the commission unanimously declared “Charlie Kirk Day” in the county, describing him as a champion of free speech and civic engagement.

Officials Echo Fox News Rhetoric and Invoke Civil Rights Icons

Throughout the meeting, county officials and allies defended Kirk in language that mirrored conservative media talking points. They praised his supposed defense of the First Amendment and cast him as a martyr for free expression.

“This country is based on freedom of speech and the ability to express yourself without fear… I don’t consider Charlie divisive,” argued John Meo, chair of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee. Commissioner Chris Hall said his goal was to “inspire young people to make a difference” by enshrining Kirk’s name on a major roadway — effectively presenting the partisan podcaster as a civic role model.

Some supporters went even further, likening Kirk to civil rights leaders. In nearby Bay County, GOP officials dubbed him “modern America’s MLK,” claiming that if liberal cities have roads named after Martin Luther King Jr., conservative regions should do the same for Kirk. Collier supporters echoed this sentiment during the meeting, comparing monuments to Malcolm X and George Floyd with the new Kirk dedication.

Critics called these comparisons grotesque. “He’s been one of the most divisive, especially among younger voices,” said one Collier resident. Opponents accused the board of buying into a Fox News–fueled narrative that paints Kirk as a free-speech martyr while ignoring his record of discriminatory and inflammatory remarks.

Immokalee Residents and Others Blast “Tone-Deaf” Tribute

The decision has outraged many locals, particularly in Immokalee, a predominantly immigrant farmworker community where two-thirds of residents speak Spanish or Creole at home. “Why him? He did nothing for Immokalee,” one resident asked.

Speaker after speaker urged commissioners to reconsider. Todd Truax of Bonita Springs contrasted the dedication with genuine acts of public remembrance:

“Are you saying the children of Parkland deserve a street in each of their names? The 49 victims at Pulse — they deserve streets in each of their names. The man who spread hate deserves the test of time to obliterate his name.”

Naples resident Candice Kelly called the idea “ridiculous… a waste of time and funds,” adding, “If anything, he was someone who spread hatred — and I’m not scared to say so.”

Opponents cited Kirk’s past comments — including one where he questioned the merits of a Black female employee by sneering, “Is she there because of her excellence, or is she there because of affirmative action?” Many asked why Collier would glorify a man whose notoriety came from sowing division, not service.

Commissioner LoCastro acknowledged the public opposition but still voted in favor. Residents left the meeting fuming, accusing the board of having “made up their minds before we even spoke.”

Who Was Charlie Kirk, and Why the Push to Honor Him?

Charlie Kirk was best known as a conservative podcaster and commentator, gaining a following for his polarizing political show and frequent appearances on right-wing media outlets. His rhetoric often targeted students, teachers, and activists he disagreed with, making him a divisive figure even within conservative circles.

His murder last month during a Utah speaking event turned him into a martyr among right-wing circles. Within days, conservative lawmakers began promoting nationwide tributes. Donald Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, while New College of Florida announced plans for a campus statue.

Against that backdrop, Collier’s leaders followed suit. Commissioner Dan Kowal declared October 14 “Charlie Kirk Day,” calling him “an amazing man who will be sorely missed.” Two weeks later came the Immokalee Road renaming. Supporters argued it was a fair counterbalance to liberal-leaning tributes, with the Bay County GOP saying, “Almost every city has a Martin Luther King Blvd… every city & county in America should follow our lead.”

A Community Divided, a Legacy Debated

The fallout from Collier’s vote reveals a deeper rift between county leaders and their constituents. What should have been a local infrastructure issue became a flashpoint in the culture wars.

While Clearwater, Melbourne, and Escambia County rejected similar proposals amid backlash, Collier joined Lake County as the only two in Florida to approve such dedications.

For many residents, the decision sends a chilling message.

“They’re supposed to represent us, but they’re not listening to us,” said María Gonzalez, an Immokalee farmworker. “Naming our road after someone who spread hate — I don’t see how that brings us together.”

As crews prepare to install the new signs, the community remains divided. Whether the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway” becomes a proud symbol of free-speech defiance or a magnet for protest remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the road to repairing Collier County’s trust will be much longer than 15 miles.