HUNTINGTON BEACH CIVIC CENTER (Orange County Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

A somewhat modified proposal for artwork to memorialize slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and honor freedom of speech was approved at a special meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday afternoon.

The vote was 6-0 with Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark absent. The final motion called for a council ad hoc committee composed of Mayor Pat Burns and Councilmen Chad Williams and Andrew Gruel to work with city staff to work toward creating some art form – a mural or plaque or statue – with that mission.

The original proposal from Councilman Chad Williams and co-sponsored by Mayor Pat Burns and Councilman Andrew Gruel drew more criticism from speakers than support. Eleven people spokes against it with six in favor. One opponent, who said she was in the “hospitality business” said she felt the mural would increase Huntington Beach’s reputation for political conflict and take away from its image as a fun place to visit and surf.

A supporter hailed it as a “great idea” to honor Kirk, calling him a hero to many people.
Councilmember Butch Twining expressed general support for the concept but suggested that if the artwork was to be about freedom of speech, it should include other advocates of free expression such as Fredrick Douglas, Martin Luther King and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Finally, the motion was amended to broaden its mission. Members pointed out that no public money would be spent on the project and it might be placed on private or public property.
The motion will come back to the council for final action at a later date.