By Bianca Buono
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WESTMINSTER, California (KABC) — Street signs are going up in the Orange County city of Westminster, honoring slain political activist Charlie Kirk.
The signs are now getting mixed reactions from those who want to honor Kirk, and those divided by his conservative activism.
Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen proudly stood under the city’s newest street sign on Tuesday — Charlie Kirk Way. He says the renaming was his idea.
“By doing this, we promote the freedom, the freedom of speech, freedom for everyone to engage in open communication here in the city of Westminster,” Nguyen said.
The sign has been months in the making for Westminster.
Nguyen says the idea to redesignate the street leading to the city’s Civic Center from All American Way to Charlie Kirk Way was his idea, and it passed in a 4-1 council vote last fall.
When the vote passed, the city council noted that the redesignation won’t officially change the street name. This means the change in signage won’t be reflected on addresses on the street, and instead will just change the physical All American Way street signs between Westminster Boulevard and 13th Street.
“I myself am very inspired by what Charlie Kirk has been doing for the country, what he’s been doing to the younger people, for the next generation,” Nguyen said.
Not everyone agrees.
“I thought it was a joke,” said Ann Galvan from Garden Grove.
“I think that’s so hateful,” said Ashley Lawrence from Los Angeles.
“Are you effing kidding me? Sorry, that was my gut reaction,” said Westminster resident Terry Rains.
Rains organized a protest back in December in an effort to stop what she says is causing division in her community.
“That street is called All American Way. That is inclusive. That welcomes everyone into our Civic Center,” Rains said. “These are all public buildings, and so tainting the name just completely denigrates the entire… what that stands for.”
The news of the signs is spreading fast on social media, prompting people to drive from all over Southern California to see them in person.
“It’s a little ridiculous,” one resident said.
“I’m really happy to see that, because I’m his big fan,” another said.
The criticism is not new to the mayor, who was even stopped by someone who disagreed with the decision during his interview with Eyewitness News.
“You can’t please everyone,” Nguyen said.
The mayor claims the sign honoring Kirk isn’t political, and instead is meant to represent freedom of speech.
“I’m not saying that Charlie Kirk is a Republican or Democrat. I don’t take it that way. I look at the way that he is dedicated. He is sacrificing to do what needs to be done for our country, and he is a patriot. Those are the things that I look at,” Nguyen said.
Last year, the city council also voted to designate Kirk’s birthday, Oct. 14, as “Charlie Kirk Day.” It passed with a 3-2 vote.
Utah man Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of shooting Kirk — an ally of President Donald Trump who worked to steer young voters toward conservatism through his organization, Turning Point USA — from a rooftop overlooking a crowded courtyard at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10, 2025.
Robinson was arrested the following night when he showed up with his parents to turn himself in at his hometown sheriff’s office in southwest Utah, more than a three-hour drive from Orem.
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