EXAMPLES of the Charlie Kirk Way signs (City of Westminster).
By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune
Conservative activist and radio host Charlie Kirk – as far as is known – never set foot in Westminster. But his name will be emblazoned on city streets for a while.
On a 4-1 vote Wednesday night – with City Councilmember Carlos Manzo voting “no” – the council approved a proposal by Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen to add “Charlie Kirk Way” to street signs along All American Way in the Civic Center district.
Kirk was fatally shot in September at a speaking engagement.
Also on Wednesday, the council approved a proposal by Councilmember Amy Phan West designating Oct. 14 (his birthday) as Charlie Kirk Day.
“All American Way has always symbolized unity and patriotism,” said the mayor. “By redesignating it as All American Charlie Kirk Way we are expanding that meaning to honor someone who has inspired a new generation to care about their country, to get involved, to speak up for what they believe in.”
Manzo characterized the proposal as a political move. “It’s what politicians do,” he said. “Exploit, exploit, exploit.”
He added that, “what he (Kirk) was doing was absolutely divisive. You don’t know anything about him.”
West suggested that by not having Kirk’s name in larger type was not enough of an effort by the mayor. Her motion to take no action was defeated 3-2.
The original motion was then passed.
