Liberal residents in Westminster, California, have reacted with outrage after a street was renamed for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. New street signs went up over the weekend in Westminster, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, changing the name from All American Way to Charlie Kirk Way.
Mayor Defends Decision
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, who led the effort to rename the street, said Tuesday he was 'very inspired by what Charlie Kirk has been doing for the country.' 'By doing this, we promote the freedom, the freedom of speech here in the city of Westminster,' he told ABC7.
But blue residents in Westminster, part of the relatively conservative Orange County in the greater LA area, were quick to push back against renaming the street after the Republican activist.
Resident Reactions
Westminster resident Terry Rains said her 'gut reaction' to the news was, '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.'
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.'
Social Media Backlash
The reaction was similarly vivid on social media, where the mayor's announcement about the newly renamed street 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 sarcastically, asking whether they might qualify for a street name in Westminster themselves. 'I've spent some money at West Justice Court,' one user wrote, '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.'
Support for the Renaming
However, there were also others who jumped in defense of the renamed street and the 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.
City Council Vote
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 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 Daily Mail has reached out to Mayor Nguyen's office for further comment.
