Leaders in one O.C. city honor ‘American patriot’ Charlie Kirk with street name, official day
- Share via
See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred
It’s unclear if slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk ever hosted a rally or event in Westminster.
The founder of Arizona-based Turning Point USA was perhaps most active away from suburbs like this Orange County hamlet, preferring debates with students on college campuses nationwide.
He will, however, hold a place among the heroes of Westminster.
The local City Council voted recently to name a street near City Hall and designate a day in October to honor Kirk, who was fatally shot in Utah in September at the age of 31.
My colleague Hannah Fry documented the the debate over how, or whether, the city should honor Kirk.
Let’s jump into some of that reporting.
How Kirk is being lauded
City Council members voted 4-1 Wednesday to partially rename All American Way after Kirk. His name will appear in 3-inch font below the official street name.
Replacing the street signs to add Kirk’s name is expected to cost $3,000, according to a city staff report.
The small street runs parallel to the Vietnam War Memorial at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park, named after a World War II soldier who lived in Westminster. The monument includes the names of soldiers — Americans and Vietnamese — who died in the conflict.
In the 2024 election, the precinct surrounding the street voted in favor of President Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris by a 57% to 40% margin.
What those in favor of the honors are saying
Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, a Republican who is running for Congress next year, brought forth the change because he said Kirk “reflects the values that make Westminster truly special: pride in our country, belief in our freedom and the spirit of civic engagement.”
Councilmember Amy Phan West called Kirk a champion for free speech and an “American patriot,” and criticized the small font on the street sign as an inadequate way to honor his memory.
A separate proposal she introduced to designate Oct.14 — Kirk’s birthday — as Charlie Kirk Day in the city also passed.
“His commitment to protecting the principle of open dialogue and opposing tyranny has been a significant impact on our nation’s conversation,” she said.
The councilmember who opposed
Westminster Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo, the lone Democrat on the dais, was the sole vote against designating the street.
He said it was inappropriate given that Kirk didn’t live in Westminster and had no ties to the community. He accused his colleagues of exploiting Kirk’s death to score political points.
“That’s what you’re doing — exploiting a tragedy for political gain,” he said. “You’re going to go out there and campaign with it and say, ‘Look, I got this done in my city.’ ”
Manzo chastised his colleagues for forcing Westminster into a national political debate rather than focusing on the city’s fiscal challenges and making life better for residents, a complaint echoed by many residents who spoke at the meeting.
At one point, Manzo said West and Nguyen were trying to “out Republican each other.”
Controversies elsewhere
In Villa Park, a high school teacher allegedly removed a memorial to Kirk that was set up by students.
In Huntington Beach, another Orange County city frequently at the center of national culture war debates, a September memorial for Kirk at the pier took a dark turn when a group of men joined the crowd chanting, “White men fight back.”
For more, check out the full article here.
The week’s biggest stories
Los Angeles city and council policies
- LAX approved a $1.5-billion plan to relieve traffic. Opponents say it won’t work.
- L.A. Mayor Karen Bass lifted a homeless emergency declaration. South L.A. merchants and residents aren’t so sure.
Trump administration policies and reactions
- Trump ran on “America first.” Now he views his presidency as a “worldwide situation.”
- Judge blocks Trump administration push to fine UCLA $1.2 billion for alleged antisemitism.
- Trump cuts ties with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once among his top defenders.
- FBI arrests New Jersey man accused of destroying property at office of Trump ally Alina Habba.
Crime, courts and policing
- Officials question L.A. County Sheriff’s Department report of no “substantiated” sex abuse by jail staff.
- Child sexually assaulted inside Hollywood restaurant, D.A. says.
- “Troll Most Hated” who accosted Ariana Grande in Singapore charged as a public nuisance.
Rain, flooding and fires
- The Times had running coverage of the atmospheric river storm throughout Saturday, when rains were expected to peak.
- California man is swept to his death after driving over flooded bridge.
- A woman is racing to buy land for her business that burned in January’s Eaton fire in Altadena before developers get it.
More big stories
- Foul-mouthed, brash and savvy: What to know about ex-Newsom aide tangled in a corruption probe.
- Four dead after panga boat capsizes off Southern California coast.
This week’s must-reads
For years, Russian nationals and others seeking asylum in the United States were allowed to live and work here while their cases were being decided. But that policy has changed with unknown repercussions awaiting foreign nationals sent back to their home countries.
More great reads
- Inside Joshua Tree’s exclusive sexual wellness retreat: “I’ve seen women changing.”
- She’s challenging Bass from the left. Could she become L.A.’s Mamdani?
- Opinion: Catholic Church puts foot down on Trump’s mass deportation policy. That’s a start.
- Opinion: Two politicians who impressed in 2025? Gavin Newsom and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
- Opinion: Trump’s idea to rename Veterans Day fizzled for good reason.
For your weekend
Going out
- Sunday Funday: “Tulsa King” actor Martin Starr enjoys pancakes at John O’Groats on West Pico to help kick off his ideal Sunday.
- Shopping finds: 101 great L.A. shops to find thoughtful holiday gifts.
- All the buzz: 15 L.A. spots that’ll keep you caffeinated while shopping for holiday gifts.
- Day trippers wanted: This hidden rural oasis makes for a splendid day trip — and it’s just an hour from L.A.
- Home cooking: What happens when a chef invites paying customers into his home for dinner.
- Stubbed toe: Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man” limps into theaters too relevant to be any fun.
Staying in
- Television review: “The American Revolution” on PBS presents a fresh picture of America’s complex founding.
- Streaming review: Thrillers “The Beast in Me” from Netflix and “Malice” on Amazon offer suspense but few surprises.
- 🧑🍳 Here’s are seven recipes for fall cheese dishes.
- ✏️ Get our free daily crossword puzzle, Sudoku, word search and arcade games.
L.A. Affairs
Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage.
He looked 20 years older than he did four years ago. In my head, I thought, ‘This makes sense. The ugliness within him has deteriorated his physical body.’
Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team
Jim Rainey, staff reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, fast break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
June Hsu, editorial fellow
Andrew J. Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
Kim, an attorney and former San Francisco supervisor, is running against State Sen. Benjamin Allen for the role of running California’s long-beleaguered Department of Insurance. In this episode she talks to Rebuilding L.A. host Kate Cagle about why she should get the job.
The Hillside Strangler murders terrorized Los Angeles in the late 1970s. The killers were a pair of sadistic cousins. One confessed. The other was set to stand trial—until L.A. prosecutors flinched.
Modern LA earned its first smoggy nickname 450 years ago, as the “bay of smokes.” At the La Brea tar pits, we take a short walk through a long history with curator Regan Dunn, who explains how and why the first Angelenos would have set fires that filled the broad bowl of LA and foretold the curse of smog.
