Boynton Beach commission votes unanimously to remove Charlie Kirk memorial discussion from agenda

The Boynton Beach City Commission voted unanimously to remove discussion of a proposed Charlie Kirk memorial from the agenda, saying the subject risked dividing the community.

Vice Mayor Hay opened the exchange with a floor statement that framed the choice as one about community values and unity. “When we as a city decide whom and what we memorialize, we must do so with wisdom,” Hay said, and argued that public memorials represent “not just an individual, but the values of our entire community.” Hay described several public statements attributed to Charlie Kirk he said were “deeply offensive and divisive,” and made the motion that the commission “drop all conversation now and in the future of memorializing Charlie Kirk.”

Commissioner Kelly and other commissioners voiced support for removing the item, saying discussion of the memorial would generate division. Kelly said the proposal’s intent may have been “well intended” but added that the issue would create divisiveness in a city that officials said is intended to be nonpartisan and unified.

The motion to remove the item was seconded and passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Shelton called the result and the clerk recorded the motion as passing without dissension.

The action removes the subject from the meeting’s agenda and, per the motion’s language, the commission said it would not seek to place the memorial on future agendas. The commission did not adopt any ordinance or policy language defining criteria for memorials during the discussion.

The remarks took place during the agenda approval and an extended statement by the vice mayor; public testimony on the memorial was not part of this agenda item.