Huntington Beach City Council voted 6-0 at a special meeting to direct staff to work with a three-member ad hoc committee to explore creation of an artistic memorial — including a mural, monument or plaque — honoring freedom of speech and memorializing Charlie Kirk, with the proposal to be funded through private contributions and returned to the council for final approval.

The matter drew a packed public comment period and sharply divided remarks from residents and council members about whether a city-sponsored public memorial for Kirk would celebrate free speech or deepen local political divisions.

Councilman Chad Williams, who introduced the item, said the proposal was meant to emphasize free speech rather than to elevate a single person. "This is a core American value," Williams said during his presentation, arguing the memorial would serve as a visible reminder against violence and intimidation aimed at suppressing speech.

Speakers at the podium were split. Kathy Hawes, a Huntington Beach resident of more than 52 years, urged the council to "please vote for this. Please honor our freedom of speech," and asked the council to form an ad hoc committee to identify location, artist and artwork. Amory Hanson also urged approval, citing First Amendment principles. Other residents opposed the proposal, saying a mural honoring Kirk — a national conservative organizer mentioned frequently in testimony — would be partisan and could inflame local tensions. Bethany Webb, who identified herself as a relative of gun violence victims, said critics falsely portrayed opponents as celebrating violence and urged the council to consider victims of gun violence if it pursued public memorials.

Council discussion focused on three practical points: funding, form and location. Council members repeatedly emphasized that the proposal would be financed by private contributions to avoid using city funds; the council amended the recommended action to read "work with staff to explore" the project rather than to direct staff to create it. Council members also broadened the scope to allow consideration of a mural, monument or plaque and discussed the possibility of multiple artworks or smaller community installations.

The council amended the recommended action to specify an ad hoc committee comprised of Mayor Burns, Councilman Grull and Councilman Williams to identify a suitable location, select artist(s) and review artwork design, then return the recommendation to the full council for a final vote. The city clerk called the roll on the amended motion; the item passed 6-0. Councilwoman Vandermark was recorded as absent.

Public comment and council remarks also raised process concerns: several speakers said the special meeting provided limited public notice and one speaker called the timing "performative." Council members responded by repeatedly stating the intent that no city funds be used and that the ad hoc committee should solicit public input on location and design before bringing a final proposal back to the council.

The council set no location, design, timeline or budget in its action. The ad hoc committee will return to the council with recommendations for final approval. The next regularly scheduled Huntington Beach City Council meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 2000 Main Street.