The city council of Huntington Beach, California, has been embroiled in controversy over a new plaque commemorating the city’s public library. The seven-member Republican-dominated council unveiled the design, which describes the library as “Magical Alluring Galvanizing Adventurous” and was funded by $8,000 in private donations.
The move has sparked outrage among liberal residents, who see it as a symbol of the council’s shift to the right and its attempt to suppress liberal views. The plaque’s designer, Councilwoman Pat Burns, defended the initiative, stating that Huntington Beach is a “proudly red city” and that her opponents are part of an “anti-Trump minority.”
Critics argue that the plaque’s language is inflammatory and insensitive, particularly in light of the Nazi connotations associated with the “Make America Great Again” movement. Local resident Chris Kluwe, who was arrested for calling Trump’s movement a Nazi movement during a council meeting, has become a vocal advocate against the plaque.
The city’s public library has been at the center of controversy in recent years, including a proposal to privatize its operations and an effort to create a parent review board to remove books deemed inappropriate. The plaque’s unveiling is planned for April and is expected to be a contentious issue for the council.
As one resident noted, “We’re becoming nationally known as kind of like Nazi Central, and that’s not good.” The controversy highlights the deepening divide between liberal and conservative views in Huntington Beach and raises questions about the role of government institutions in promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/us/huntington-beach-maga-plaque.html