Chris Kluwe, the former NFL punter known for his activism and outspoken views, was arrested on Tuesday during a protest at a city council meeting in Huntington Beach, California. The meeting, which took place south of Los Angeles, centered around the council's decision to install a plaque at the local library bearing an acronym that some believe references former President Donald Trump’s political movement, “MAGA” (Make America Great Again).
Chris Kluwe protests "MAGA" acronym at City Council Meeting
Kluwe, who played in the NFL from 2005 to 2012, was present at the meeting to voice his opposition to the plaque. Upon addressing the council, he explained his interpretation of the “MAGA” acronym and immediately launched into a passionate protest.
In his statement, Kluwe expressed strong disdain for the association of the phrase with Trump’s political movement.
‘MAGA’ is profoundly corrupt, unmistakably anti-democracy and most importantly, ‘MAGA’ is explicitly a Nazi movement, he stated, drawing a parallel between the red “Make America Great Again” hat and the swastika.
As Kluwe continued his protest, he declared,
I will now engage in the time-honored American tradition of peaceful civil disobedience.
He then made his way onto the stage, where he was swiftly arrested and escorted out of the building. Kluwe was charged with disrupting an assembly, but he was released approximately four hours later, as reported by the Orange County Register.
Chris Kluwe’s NFL career and political activism
Kluwe, who spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, was known for his activism, especially in support of same-sex marriage. He was consistently the Vikings' punter from 2005 to 2012 and briefly played for the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.
However, Kluwe has previously claimed that his outspoken political views, including his vocal support for LGBTQ+ rights, contributed to his release from the Vikings. In a 2014 interview with CNN, he said,
I don’t have anything against the Vikings organization itself. I had eight wonderful years with the Minnesota Vikings... The only thing that changed from Year 8 to when I got cut is that I started speaking out on same-sex rights.
Since retiring from the NFL, Kluwe has continued to be an outspoken advocate for his political beliefs, frequently participating in protests and public demonstrations.