Huntington Beach officials are looking to commission a mural in honor of slain activist Charlie Kirk.
After calling a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 23, to discuss the idea, the City Council voted to establish an ad-hoc committee that will explore the creation of a tribute to Kirk and the principles of “freedom and free speech.”
Councilmember Chad Wiliams will lead the committee with Councilmember Andrew Gruel and Mayor Pat Burns. The three will be in charge of identifying a suitable location for the memorial, selecting artists and reviewing artwork design.
Councilmembers are looking for the art project to be funded through private contributions to minimize impact on city resources.
“The expression and the celebration of freedom of speech and everything that we believe Charlie Kirk stood for is the centerpiece of what we’re trying to do right now,” Gruel said.
Kirk, 31, a prominent Christian activist and founder of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, was assassinated on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University.
Vigils mourning his death have been held across Orange County, and the country, in the weeks since. Huntington Beach joined in flying flags at half staff and saw multiple community vigils form. Groups espousing White nationalist views stormed one early vigil for Kirk, prompting city leaders to release a statement condemning political violence and “harmful rhetoric.”
Multiple speakers at Tuesday’s meeting expressed support for the mural, with one 46-year Surf City resident calling Kirk a “great hero and mentor” for young people.
Others spoke against the memorial out of disagreement with Kirk’s political views or that he promoted free speech.
The council also agreed to discuss erecting other forms of dedication to Kirk, such as a monument or plaque.