Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe, who was arrested during a Huntington Beach, California, City Council meeting earlier this week, is now calling for other officials to engage in civil disobedience. Kluwe was removed from the meeting after he approached council members in protest of a new plaque featuring the phrase “Making America Great Again.”
The plaque, which is being placed outside the city’s library for its 50th anniversary, features the words “Magical,” “Alluring,” “Galvanizing,” and “Adventurous” as an acronym for “MAGA.” The text also states, “Through hope and change our nation has built back better to the golden era of Making America Great Again!”
Kluwe, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, objected to the inclusion of MAGA messaging on public property. During his remarks, he advanced toward the councilmembers before being restrained by police officers and carried out of the meeting. He was later charged with disrupting an assembly.
Speaking to the Daily Pilot on Wednesday, Kluwe said he hopes his actions will inspire elected officials to take similar steps.
“I want our elected democratic officials to start engaging in civil disobedience,” Kluwe told the outlet. “People need to be aware that what’s going on with this administration is leading us down a really dark path. Right now, no one is willing to step up and do that. So, if I want to ask them to do it, then I have to be willing to do it too.”
Kluwe also expressed frustration with the city council, stating that public opposition to the plaque has not been properly considered.
“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.”
Gracey Van Der Mark, a city council member and former Huntington Beach mayor, defended the plaque and dismissed Kluwe’s protest.
“Huntington Beach is a beautiful conservative city,” Van Der Mark said. “He got his five minutes of fame.”
LATEST: Former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe was arrested at a city council meeting while protesting against Donald Trump and MAGA, which he called a “Nazi movement.”
He vowed to continue civil disobedience before police handcuffed and carried him out. pic.twitter.com/xauEwbDEBV
— Los Angeles Magazine (@LAmag) February 20, 2025
The city council’s decision to move forward with the plaque has drawn both support and criticism from the community. Some residents see it as a celebration of American values, while others argue it is an inappropriate political statement on public property.
CALIFORNIA — ex NFL punter Chris Kluwe arrested for civil disobedience protesting at the city council in Huntington Beach, where the council planned a “MAGA” display on a plaque at the library.
Context: https://t.co/f4tD8r1HGA pic.twitter.com/joSNRjj2MP
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) February 20, 2025
Kluwe, who played eight seasons in the NFL as a punter for the Minnesota Vikings, has been outspoken on political issues in recent years. He has previously compared the “Make America Great Again” slogan to a “Nazi movement” and has frequently criticized Trump and his supporters.
Following his arrest, Kluwe has not indicated whether he plans to take further legal action or continue protesting at future city meetings. The city has not yet commented on whether any changes to the plaque will be considered.
