Residents in California, known for its liberal leanings, expressed their anger after a street was renamed in honor of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Over the weekend, new street signs were installed in Westminster, located roughly 30 miles south of Los Angeles, marking the change from All American Way to Charlie Kirk Way.
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, who spearheaded the renaming initiative, expressed on Tuesday that he was ‘deeply inspired by Charlie Kirk’s contributions to the nation.’
“By doing this, we promote the freedom, the freedom of speech here in the city of Westminster,” Nguyen explained to ABC7.
However, residents of Westminster, which is part of the generally conservative Orange County within the Los Angeles area, were quick to voice their opposition to honoring the Republican activist in this way.
Local resident Terry Rains candidly shared her initial reaction to the renaming: “Are you effing kidding me?”
‘That street is called All American Way,’ Rains told the outlet. ‘That is inclusive. That welcomes everyone into our Civic Center.’
She added: ‘These are all public buildings, and so tainting the name just completely denigrates … what that stands for.’
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, the mayor of Westminster, stands alongside a new Charlie Kirk Way sign
Over the weekend, new street signs went up in Westminster to mark the renaming of All American Way to Charlie Kirk Way after the conservative commentator
Westminster resident Terry Rains pushed back against the renaming and showed signs that read, ‘NO KIRK WAY! NO KIRK DAY!’
Terry Rains showed off ‘NO KIRK WAY! NO KIRK DAY!’ signs that called for ‘hands off’ the street.
Other residents also pushed back on the newly-minted Charlie Kirk Way, which was initially approved late last year.
‘I thought it was a joke,’ Ann Galvan, of Garden Grove, told the network.
Ashley Lawrence of Los Angeles, added that she thought the renaming was ‘so hateful.’
On social media, Nguyen said he was proud that Westminster was ‘the first city in the country to dedicate an official Charlie Kirk Way.’
The tweak won’t officially change the street name but will add Kirk’s name alongside the already–existing All American Way title.
Addresses on the street will remain unchanged despite the new signage paying tribute to the conservative commentator.
‘We honor Charlie for his faith, his love of country and his devotion to his amazing family,’ Nguyen wrote on Facebook.
He added that he was ‘inspired’ by Erika Kirk ‘and all she’s done to carry on Charlie’s work.’
The reaction was similarly vivid on social media, where the mayor’s announcement about the newly renamed street was met with fierce criticism.
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Ann Galvan, of Garden Grove, said she thought the new Charlie Kirk Way name ‘was a joke’
The reaction was similarly livid on social media, where the mayor’s announcement was met with fierce criticism.
‘Can we get one for Jimmy Kimmel too?’ one Facebook user asked.
‘Is that right next to Joe Rogan Street or Nick [Fuentes] Drive?’ another user added.
Some users said they did not understand Kirk’s links to Westminster and blasted the city’s decision to pay tribute to him.
‘Such clowns!’ one commenter said. ‘Honoring a podcaster that did nothing and disliked immigrants. Good job Westminster.’
‘Is Charlie Kirk from Westminster or has lived there?’ another posted. ‘I’m wondering what his connection to the city is.’
Some users responded and sarcastically asked whether they might qualify for a street name in Westminster themselves.
‘I’ve spent some money at West Justice Court,’ one user wrote, referring to the justice center in the city. ‘You wanna name a street for me too?’
An online commenter who said he stayed near the newly renamed Charlie Kirk Way predicted that the signage would not be left alone
‘I live near there,’ the user said. ‘Something will happen to it.’
A look at the proposed signage to add Charlie Kirk Way onto the already–existing All American Way when the idea was suggested
Westminster (pictured) is about 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and is part of the relatively conservative Orange County
However, there were also others who jumped in defense of the renamed street and the murdered activist.
‘Thank you! Even more impactful that honoring Charlie is coming from the immigrant community!!!’ one user said.
‘This chips away at the progressive narrative that THEY alone stand up for the immigrant community and other people of color,’ the person added.
Another commenter called the renaming ‘incredible.’
‘Thank you for the leadership and support to keep Charlie’s legacy living forever,’ the user said.
In November, the Westminster City Council voted 4–1 to partially rename the street after Kirk.
A resolution to designate October 14 as ‘Charlie Kirk Day’ also passed in a 3 to 2 vote.
Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo, the council’s only Democrat, protested the moves and argued Kirk had no ties to Westminster.
‘That’s what you’re doing, exploiting a tragedy for political gain,’ Manzo said then.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Mayor Nguyen’s office for further comment.
