Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe arrested protesting controversial MAGA plaque at Huntington Beach library

In a recent Huntington Beach City Council meeting, former NFL punter, Chris Kluwe, was arrested following a protest against a newly approved library plaque. The plaque, intended to commemorate the library's 50th anniversary, features the words "Magical," "Alluring," "Galvanizing," and "Adventurous," forming the acronym "MAGA." This has sparked controversy due to its association with President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan.

Kluwe, known for his outspoken activism on social issues, attended the meeting to voice his opposition. During his allotted speaking time, he criticized the council's decision, stating that the MAGA movement stands for "resegregation and racism," as well as "censorship and book bans." He further described MAGA as "explicitly a Nazi movement," equating the red hat symbol to a swastika. Following his remarks, Kluwe engaged in an act of peaceful civil disobedience by approaching the council members, leading to his arrest by local law enforcement.

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Kluwe's history of activism and arrest details

Chris Kluwe's arrest at the council meeting is not his first foray into activism. During his NFL career, particularly with the Minnesota Vikings from 2005 to 2012, Kluwe was vocal on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality. His outspokenness has, at times, placed him at odds with NFL management. Regarding the recent incident, Kluwe was charged with disrupting an assembly and released after approximately four hours in custody.

He expressed that his act of civil disobedience was aimed at raising public awareness about the implications of endorsing the MAGA movement in public spaces, rather than attempting to change the council's stance directly. Kluwe didn’t fight the arrest, putting his hands behind his back and going limp. “I made sure I warned the officers I was going to the ground,” Kluwe said in an interview with the Daily Pilot on Wednesday. “Then I told them, ‘I’m going to stay limp, you guys got to carry me out of here.’”

Community reactions to the MAGA plaque

The decision to install the MAGA-themed plaque has elicited mixed reactions from the Huntington Beach community. Supporters argue that the plaque is a benign celebration of the library's milestone, using positive descriptors that align with the library's mission. Kluwe said he sees a sense of resigned anger in many public comments made during council meetings. “People are speaking out because that’s the American thing to do,” he said. “You’re a public citizen, your voice should be heard. But it’s very disheartening when your elected officials are not listening to your voice ... It is profoundly un-American to do what this council is doing, and I think there are a lot of people in this community that get that. At a very visceral level, what we are seeing is not how America is supposed to work.”

However, critics contend that the acronym's political connotation is inappropriate for a public institution. Former councilmember, Natalie Moser, labeled the plaque as "political propaganda," emphasizing that public spaces should remain neutral and inclusive. The controversy has led to heated debates, with numerous residents expressing their concerns through emails and public comments.