Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe was arrested during a California city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19, as part of a protest against pro-Trump messaging at a local library. Kluwe, 43, who spent eight years with the Vikings, voiced his opposition to a city council proposal to display a plaque at the Huntington Beach public library.
The plaque used words like “Magical,” “Alluring,” “Galvanizing,” and “Adventurous” to create the acronym “MAGA,” closely associated with Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. In response, Kluwe, criticizing the Republican-dominated Huntington Beach City Council, known as the “MAGA-nificent 7,” spoke during the public comment session.
He then engaged in an act of peaceful civil disobedience, stepping toward the council members’ seats before being arrested. Kluwe was released four hours later, facing charges for disrupting an assembly. Though the council unanimously approved the plaque, Kluwe said he didn’t expect his protest to change the decision.
- Chris Kluwe
Instead, he aimed to speak out against what he saw as “propaganda” rather than a celebration of the library. His one-minute speech, which touched on issues like budget cuts to education, veteran affairs, book bans, and LGBTQ+ rights, quickly went viral on Reddit, sparking widespread discussion. Many fans praised his actions, with one saying, “You dropped this, king,” and others sharing their admiration for his growing public image.
Some humorously noted his rising status as an all-time favorite Vikings player, while others questioned his outspoken activism. Despite criticism from a few fans who preferred Kluwe to stick to football, his protest gained national attention, leading many to defend him. Kluwe later shared details of his detainment on Bluesky, describing the experience as handled professionally, in an interview with The Orange County Register.
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