NYC street artist sparks debate with Charlie Kirk spots after activist's death

A New York City street artist has begun chalking circles labeled 'Charlie Kirk spot' on sidewalks in Washington Square Park, in the wake of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The artist, Felix Morelo, a Colombian-American born in the United States, has drawn both outrage and fascination as passersby encounter the circles and decide whether to step inside.

Morelo is best known for colorful chalk circles labeled with phrases such as "Good Luck Spot" or "Hugging Spot," along with more provocative iterations like the "Suicide Spot" and the "Israel and Palestine Spot." Passersby are invited to interact with the pieces by stepping into the circles—or avoiding them altogether. Since Kirk's death, Morelo has drawn circles marked "Charlie Kirk spot" around the city, including in Washington Square Park where the latest work has appeared. A photo of one such circle in the park is circulating in local posts and on social media.

Morelo told Fox News Digital that he was disturbed by those who mocked or celebrated the conservative activist's killing. "I couldn't find a reason for somebody to be executed, you know? It's like, even hardcore criminals get… their due [process]," he said in a conversation in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. While he doesn’t agree with everything Kirk said, Morelo said he respected the conservative influencer and even considered reaching out to participate in a public debate. "This is where I was going to try to debate Kirk, but somebody took him away," Morelo added. "I think it reflects the politics of where we are right now, you know?" He described his work as a way to let his art speak for itself, while using the name to spark conversation rather than to promote a specific political stance.

"I felt like by writing his name over and over, we will keep his message alive. But I also did it out of anger toward those people that were celebrating," he explained. "But after some time, I realized that – I decided not to judge or feel bad about the people being happy for his death because I realized that I felt the same feelings." The project, he said, evolved into a social experiment aimed at opening a dialogue with people he views as his enemies.

Morelo said he has faced hateful responses to his work, including people smudging out and scribbling over his spots, and he has described receiving vitriolic messages and even threats on the street. Yet he says the confrontations can be revealing. "I've noticed that they spill their hate or whatever they want to say and then they take off," he said. "And for me, I'm like, OK, you said that but tell me more. Exactly why do you hate this person, and why are you afraid? So it's been pretty fascinating."

"I’m a Democrat, and Charlie Kirk's murder must unite all Americans against violence" became a common social-media refrain in the days after the incident, and Morelo acknowledged the complex reactions his work provokes. Still, he noted that some people stop to engage, offering support rather than hostility. "People hug me, and I feel like they're getting it," he said. "For the people out there that hate me, I mean, it's just chalk."

From his perspective, the project is not about promoting a single ideological point but about encouraging citizens to confront their own biases. "Take citizens living in New York, or living anywhere. It's like having roommates, you know? You got to learn how to live with each other," Morelo said, urging patience and perspective in a moment of national polarization. He emphasized forgiveness, tolerance and dialogue as guiding principles, even as his art continues to draw both praise and condemnation.

The scene in Washington Square Park also reflects broader tensions surrounding public art and political discourse in a city long accustomed to spirited debate. While Morelo hopes his messages spark conversation, the responses he has encountered underscore how quickly symbolic works can become flashpoints in a charged national moment. For now, he plans to continue creating, allowing the conversations to unfold in the spaces where art can most directly enter daily life.