SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – Following the death of Charlie Kirk, an 11th-grade student launched a Turning Point USA chapter in Live Oak, and the group is set to have its first meeting on Monday.
“I’ve wanted to start a chapter here in Live Oak and never had the courage to until September 10,” Brooklyn Long said. “I knew that I had to take a stand, and I wanted to do it.”
She said she’s been listening to Charlie Kirk’s podcast since 2020. “I love America and I love Turning Point,” Long said.
Long submitted an application to the organization and said she was approved for a community chapter called Live Oak Club America. “I’m doing it at the community level to get, not just high schoolers involved, but the home school kids and even adults can join and be able to learn about the love of our country,” she said.
More news out of the Big Bend:
As for community feedback, Long said she’s seen a lot of excitement for the club, but she’s also received some pushback.
“We have to just kind of let it go behind us and forget about it, because not everybody is going to be happy that this club is out,” Long said. “But, if we’re spreading the truth, that’s all I want people to hear.”
News of Charlie Kirk’s death was “devastating” for Long, but she said it also fueled her drive to launch the local chapter. “It’s definitely made us speak out for ourselves and realize that he’s not the only one that can speak out,” she said. “We all can speak out and we shouldn’t be afraid to.”
Long serves as the president of Live Oak Club America, and she said the first meeting is at Live Oak City Hall on Monday at 6 p.m.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.