Republican mayor unveils Charlie Kirk Way in California city to honor late activist

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: A California city has put up new street signs in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with Republican mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen supporting the decision to honor his legacy.

The move happened in Westminster, where part of All-American Way was renamed ‘Charlie Kirk Way.’ The city council approved the decision, and it has now been put into effect with the installation of new signage, multiple reports said.

Street redesignation approved, signs now installed

Charlie Kirk Way can now be seen in the Orange County city near the intersection of Westminster Boulevard and All-American Way.

According to Mayor Charlie Nguyen, it’s the first city in the country to do so.

In September, Kirk, a right-wing activist and ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University. Kirk rose to fame for espousing right-wing Christian values and connecting with young people on college campuses.

The change applies to a stretch of All-American Way near the city’s Civic Center, where new signs bearing the name “Charlie Kirk Way” have been installed.

Mayor shows support and lauds move

Officials clarified that the renaming is symbolic and does not replace the original street name.

In several cases, the new designation appears alongside existing All American Way signage to avoid disruption for residents and businesses.

Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, a Republican who is running for Congress next year, who proposed changing All American Way to Charlie Kirk Way, said it would “honor someone who has encouraged a new generation to care about their country, to get involved and to speak up for what they believe in.”

“This is freedom of speech,” he said. “Charlie Kirk’s message has inspired countless young Americans to think critically, serve their communities and appreciate the freedom we enjoy.”

He has also described Westminster as the first city in the United States to dedicate a street in Kirk’s name.

Councilmember Carlos Manzo was the sole voice of dissent on the dais against the street renaming, saying the move  was just “exploiting a tragedy for political gain.”

He pointed out that Nguyen and Councilmember Amy Phan West are running for Congress in 2026 and using their nonpartisan council seats to spotlight “national divisive issues” that they can use to campaign on a Republican platform.

The mayor also said Kirk “reflects the values that make Westminster truly special: pride in our country, belief in our freedom and the spirit of civic engagement.”

Mayor Nguyen said the decision was not intended to be partisan, noting that he viewed the recognition as honoring civic engagement and encouraging younger generations to participate in public life.