Dozens of residents and multiple council members used the Huntington Beach City Council meeting’s public‑comment time to denounce the assassination of Charlie Kirk, describe large local vigils and memorials, and rebut social‑media claims linking Councilman Butch Twining to extremist activity. The council heard extended testimony that a peaceful vigil earlier in the week was “hijacked” by people who chanted slogans and wore masks, and that a short video clip circulating online was being used to falsely accuse Twining of marching with those demonstrators.

Council members including Pat Burns, John Kennedy, Casey McKeon, Don Kennedy, Gracie Vandermark and others made formal remarks at the dais condemning violent rhetoric and urging civility. Council members and many speakers said Sunday’s larger ceremony in Pier Plaza drawing thousands remained peaceful. Several speakers described being personally threatened or harassed after the circulation of the clip.

Public commenters — including veterans, business owners and members of the Orange County Young Republicans — said Twining attended a small, privately organized candlelight vigil earlier in the week and left as soon as attendees recognized the presence of the masked demonstrators. Kristen Nicole Valle of the Orange County Young Republicans told the council she had invited several people to a private vigil and that “as soon as it became clear” others had different intentions, attendees left and Twining “quietly packed up and left as well.” Several residents who said they helped set up or led vigils described the same sequence.

Other speakers, including residents who said they saw masked marchers chanting “white men fight back,” urged the city and community leaders to explicitly bar white‑supremacist groups from downtown and called for more decisive public condemnation. Some public speakers criticized council members for previous rhetoric and urged broader reflection about tone and safety.

After public comment, the council took no formal policy action on the allegations themselves. Instead the meeting record shows multiple elected officials publicly defended Twining, condemned misinformation, and asked residents to report threats to police. Several speakers thanked the city’s first responders for maintaining safety at the large Sunday memorial.

The council did vote later in the meeting on unrelated agenda items; the social‑media accusations and public comment will remain part of the official minutes and on‑record public statements given during this session.