During the meeting, Kluwe addressed the seven-member, all-Republican city council, expressing his concerns about the plaque.

He stated, “MAGA stands for trying to erase trans people from existence. MAG … He further described the movement as “explicitly a Nazi movement.”

Following his remarks, Kluwe announced his intention to engage in “peaceful civil disobed … ” and approached the council members.

He was promptly detained by Huntington Beach police officers, arrested for disrupting an assembly, and removed from the chambers.

Kluwe spent approximately four hours in custody before being released with a citation.

In an interview after his release, Kluwe explained that his protest aimed to raise public awareness rather than change the council’s stance.

He emphasized the importance of standing up and speaking truth to power, stating, “This was done not with the intention … . It was done so that people who … .”

Kluwe’s arrest has sparked discussions about the role of political symbols in public spaces and the boundaries of peaceful protest.

The plaque’s installation has been a contentious issue within the community, with opponents viewing it as a political statement inappropriate for a public library.

This incident adds to Kluwe’s history of activism. During his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings from 2005 to 2012, he was outspoken on social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.

In 2012, he gained attention for his public support of same-sex marriage, which he believes contributed to his release from the Vikings in 2013.

The Huntington Beach City Council has not issued a statement regarding the incident or indicated any plans to reconsider the plaque’s installation.