Former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe was by no means shy throughout his profession when it got here to talking about social points, and that’s continued into his retirement. Kluwe was arrested at a Huntington Seashore metropolis council assembly in California on Wednesday after talking out in opposition to Donald Trump’s “MAGA” motion, earlier than partaking in civil disobedience.
“Sadly it’s clear that this council doesn’t pay attention, so as a substitute I’m going to take my time to say what MAGA has stood for these previous three weeks. MAGA stands for making an attempt to erase trans individuals from existence. MAGA stands for re-segregation and racism. MAGA stands for censorship and e-book bans. MAGA stands for firing air visitors controllers whereas planes are crashing. MAGA stands for firing the individuals overseeing our nuclear arsenal. MAGA stands for firing navy veterans and people serving them on the VA — together with cancelling analysis on veteran suicide. MAGA stands for chopping funds for training, together with for disabled kids. MAGA is profoundly corrupt, unmistakable anti-democracy, and most significantly, MAGA is explicitly a Nazi motion. You could have changed as swastika with a pink hat — however that’s what it’s. I’ll now interact within the time-honored American custom of peaceable civil disobedience.”
Kluwe attended the assembly to voice his objection to a proposal so as to add a plaque exterior the Huntington Seashore Metropolis Library which overtly praised the MAGA motion. The plaque would have had the phrases “Magical,” “Alluring,” “Galvanizing,” and Adventurous” — a transparent acronym evoking MAGA, whereas additionally studying “By means of hope and alter our nation has constructed again higher to the golden period of Making America Nice Once more!”
The previous NFL participant’s feedback had been met with applause and cheers by these in attendance shortly earlier than he was carried from the constructing by police.
Kluwe, the No. 2 punter in Vikings historical past, has at all times had a historical past of being vocal on points he helps. He claimed he was marginalized by the group for being a supporter of same-sex marriage which resulted in his launch by Minnesota in 2014. A lawsuit ensued, which the Vikings finally settled — donating cash to 5 LGBTQ teams and making a dedication to scale back stigma in opposition to the LGBTQ group in sports activities.
“Individuals must be conscious that what’s happening with this administration is main us down a extremely darkish path. Proper now, nobody is prepared to step up and do this. So, if I wish to ask them to do it, then I’ve to be prepared to do it too.”
One council member, Gracey Van Der Mark, characterised Kluwe’s protest as “scary,” including that he wished his “5 minutes of fame.” In response to his feedback about MAGA she stated that it was a part of an effort to “take again” Huntington Seashore from liberal values.
“Town of Huntington Seashore has at all times been conservative, they usually tried to alter that, and we’re simply taking it again to the best way it was. If I wished to dwell in a liberal metropolis with liberal values, I’d have stayed in Los Angeles.”
Kluwe had vowed to proceed protesting the present administration.
