Former UCLA, NFL Punter Arrested at Huntington Beach City Council Meeting
Chris Kluwe’s Act of Civil Disobedience
Former UCLA and Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe said he has been frustrated with how Democratic leaders have responded to President Donald Trump’s administration, so he decided to get arrested at a Huntington Beach City Council meeting. Kluwe, who made headlines in 2012 with his advocacy for same-sex marriage, used his public comment time at Tuesday night’s meeting to criticize the Make America Great Again movement, equating it with Nazis, and then walked over toward the council members, knowing he would get arrested for misdemeanor disturbing an assembly.
“This is my first act of willful civil disobedience,” Kluwe told City News Service Wednesday. “For me, it’s the fact that it’s something I’d like to see our elected Democratic officials would do now because, frankly, they’re useless.”
The Backstory
Kluwe, 43, grew up in the Seal Beach area. He starred at Los Alamitos High School and went on to play for UCLA. He punted for the Minnesota Vikings from 2005-12. Kluwe moved back to Huntington Beach 15 years ago and has been a resident since then. He has been a strong advocate for social justice issues, including same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights.
The Incident
During the council meeting, Kluwe used his public comment time to criticize the Make America Great Again movement, equating it with Nazis, and then walked over toward the council members, knowing he would get arrested for misdemeanor disturbing an assembly. He was arrested and spent about four hours in jail, which he described as “a lot of paperwork.”
“I’m never going to ask someone to do something I’m not willing to do myself,” Kluwe said. “That’s one of the things I learned from football — basic leadership. You’ve got to prove you’re willing to do it too.”
The Plaque Controversy
The city council meeting was also about approving a plaque for the city library’s 50th anniversary. The plaque includes the phrase “Magical Alluring Galvanizing Adventurous,” or MAGA, which Kluwe objected to. He believes a library is a neutral ground and should not promote political ideologies.
“MAGA, as it is based now, is a Nazi movement, there’s no other way to look at it,” Kluwe said. “We cannot debate whether someone gets to exist or not, that’s what the Nazis did and we saw what happened.”
Conclusion
Kluwe’s actions have sparked a debate about the role of civil disobedience in the face of political opposition. His decision to get arrested has also raised questions about the effectiveness of peaceful protests in bringing about change.
FAQs
* What was Chris Kluwe’s motivation for getting arrested at the Huntington Beach City Council meeting?
Kluwe was frustrated with how Democratic leaders have responded to President Trump’s administration and wanted to take a stand.
* What was the controversy surrounding the city library’s 50th anniversary plaque?
The plaque included the phrase “Magical Alluring Galvanizing Adventurous,” or MAGA, which Kluwe objected to, equating it with the Nazi movement.
* How long did Kluwe spend in jail?
Kluwe was arrested for about four hours, which he described as “a lot of paperwork.”
