A measure brought before Clearwater City Council Monday by Council member Ryan Cotton to rename a downtown road after the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk died for lack of a second to the motion.
Cotton had proposed renaming Court Street to “Charlie Kirk Way.” After introducing the item as a recognition of First Amendment rights Cotton asked for a second. None came.
“I bring this forward not because I expect unanimous agreement, but because I believe every voice should matter in the city, and I reject the idea that our civic spaces should only reflect on side of the American conservation,” Cotton explained of his item. “This is about courage, not comfort. It’s about ensuring that values of liberty and open discourse.”
Dozens of people had shown up to speak on the issue and, after the measure died, they were told there would no longer be public comment. But after loud protests from those gathered, Mayor Bruce Rector allowed them to speak.
What came next was a lineup of African American residents, people of color and those from historically marginalized communities questioning why Cotton would want to name a street after a man who didn’t recognize their humanity.
Jennifer Griffin, who was wearing scrubs and a lab coat and introduced herself as a doctor, read a list of quotes from Kirk denegrating people of color, such as one in which he questioned the qualifications of a Black pilot, or another asking whether a Black customer service agent earned their job or got it based on “affirmative action.”
“If I’m dealing with somebody in customer service who’s a moronic Black woman, I wonder, is she there because of her excellence, or is she there because of affirmative action,” she quoted, among others.
“So I want you to know that as you try and deify Charlie Kirk, you are also deifying white supremacy,” she added before turning her discussion to Cotton.
“And do you want white supremacy to reign here in Clearwater? I ask you, I ask you,” she said.
Cotton did not answer, but interjected to explain that rules of public comment dictate that he not.
Jonathan Wade, a former City Council candidate, reminded Council that Kirk “didn’t have ties to Clearwater.”
“He didn’t have anything that he brought to Clearwater and the Council, as you know,” he said, adding a list of his own accomplishments in the city.
“I don’t want any honor or anything, but what I do want is to not be placated or to allow, have people be disrespectful to the pain that certain individuals cause African Americans.”
The public comment was long — it lasted well over an hour — and emotional.
Several speakers cried. Some recalled personal stories about being subjected to racist vitriol, misogynistic rhetoric or other hurtful tropes they said Kirk perpetuated and encouraged. Some vowed to ensure Cotton was voted out of office.
But even through the anger, most speakers acknowledged an American truth — that even if they detested what he stood for, Kirk’s murder was tragic and political violence should never be tolerated.
Still, all of the speakers expressed outrage over even the attempt to name a city street after him.
And the conversation may not be entirely over. Before public comment began, Rector suggested bringing a discussion to a future workshop evaluating the city’s procedure for renaming roads and other amenities, to better understand when such action is appropriate.
Rector ended the meeting with thanks to the speakers, and urged them always reach out when something concerns them regarding city business.
The Republican Mayor got a round of applause.