Chris Kluwe, the former NFL punter best known for his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, was arrested on Tuesday in California following a protest at a Huntington Beach city council meeting. The 43-year-old athlete spoke out against the city’s decision to install a plaque at a local library, which he claimed was a tribute to the Maga movement.
The plaque, bearing the words “Magical, Alluring, Galvanizing and Adventurous,” was confirmed by the city commission to reference Maga, a movement associated with former President Donald Trump. Kluwe sharply criticized the movement, calling it “profoundly corrupt” and “anti-democracy.” He went on to liken it to a Nazi movement, stating, “You may have replaced a swastika with a red hat, but that’s what it is.”
Kluwe further condemned the Maga movement for its stance on trans people, its efforts to reintroduce segregation, and its treatment of military veterans. In his impassioned speech, Kluwe declared his intent to engage in peaceful civil disobedience, walking onto the stage at the meeting. His words sparked cheers and applause from some in the audience, while others urged him to leave.
Kluwe was subsequently handcuffed and removed from the chamber by law enforcement. He was charged with disrupting an assembly and spent four hours in custody before being released. Despite the arrest, Kluwe praised the police for being “polite and professional” during the incident.
The protest took place in Huntington Beach, a city with a conservative city council, all seven of whose members are Republicans. One council member, Gracey Van Der Mark, responded to Kluwe’s actions by stating that there was “nothing peaceful” about the protest, claiming it caused alarm among attendees, including two young students.
Kluwe has been known for his outspoken stance on social issues throughout his NFL career, which spanned from 2005 to 2013. He previously claimed that his vocal support for same-sex marriage and other progressive causes led to his release from the Vikings.
