Westminster’s Charlie Kirk Way sign draws mixed reactions
Officials in Westminster, California, installed an honorary “Charlie Kirk Way” road sign along All American Way, sparking mixed reactions in Orange County.
New billboards are on the streets of Southern California honoring conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, the controversial founder of Turning Point USA who was murdered last September.
This street is located in Westminster, a city in Orange County southeast of Los Angeles.
Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen unveiled the new sign in a Facebook post, which received more than 14,000 likes and comments, with reactions ranging from supportive and celebratory to confused and inflammatory.
“We honor Charlie’s faith, love of country, and dedication to his wonderful family,” Nguyen said in a social media post.
The mayor also said: “We are inspired by the late Conservative leader’s wife Erica Kirk and everything she has done to carry on Charlie’s work.”
Which street in Westminster is Charlie Kirk Way?
The official street name will remain All American Way, and the addition of Charlie Kirk Way is an “honorary sign,” the mayor said in an email to USA TODAY Network. This street is between Westminster Boulevard and 13th Street.th According to Google Maps.
Westminster City Council approved the redesignation in November, but not without initial objections.
“What has Mr. Kirk contributed to our community?” said then-Vice Mayor Carlos Manzo.
City officials also approved designating October 14th of each year as Charlie Kirk Day in the city. It’s the day Kirk was born.
Kirk was shot while speaking at a Utah Valley University event on September 10, 2025. His death provoked various reactions and actions. President Trump posthumously awarded him the Medal of Freedom. Jimmy Kimmel was suspended from his late-night show following comments about Kirk’s murder, sparking a public backlash over free speech concerns. Meanwhile, a USA TODAY analysis found that more than 100 people across the country have faced repercussions for their comments about Kirk.
And clearly, Kirk was recognized at Westminster.
“When Charlie passed away, I felt strongly that the City of Westminster should do something to commemorate his life and life’s work… This patriot’s legacy lives on and serves as a reminder that free speech is worth protecting and fighting for,” Nguyen said.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. please contact her pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
