“Step up because we can:” Chris Kluwe on power, protest, public duty

Photo Courtesy of Chapman Events

“Those of us who do have the power and privilege, it’s incumbent upon us to step up, because we can do that.”

A message from Chris Kluwe, former NFL punter for the Minnesota Vikings and social activist — listen closely.

Kluwe recently made headlines after being arrested in Huntington Beach for his act of civil disobedience. He was protesting the city council’s plan to use the phrase “MAGA,” a reference to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again,” on a commemorative plaque outside the Huntington Beach Central Library.

However, this wasn’t Kluwe’s first time speaking out against the council. If you tune into the public comment segment during Tuesday night city council meetings, you will witness Kluwe calling out the “very proudly MAGA” council for policies he argues don’t benefit residents and instead promote a specific political agenda.

This Thursday, Kluwe will be joining Chapman to provide free advice on how to stay politically engaged and further break down his act of civil disobedience.

Kluwe said that now is the time for students to act, especially as universities begin caving to the demands of the new Trump administration.

“Remind your (school) administrators that there is no college if there is no student,” he said.

Chapman was recently flagged by the U.S. Department of Education for antisemitism on campus and now faces potential cuts to federal funding. Since the university received this letter, the administration has taken extensive steps to roll back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

In March, more than 30 student organizations held a demonstration on campus to protest Provost Norma Bouchard and Vice President of DEI Reg Stewart's unexpected leaving.

What led Kluwe to the act of civil disobedience on one particular Tuesday was a growing frustration with a city council he believes pushes its own agenda while refusing to accept accountability or public feedback.

“It was really the fact that our city council just doesn't listen to us as citizens, and they're not really interested in doing what's best for Huntington Beach,” Kluwe said. “They're interested in doing what's best for them.”

Kluwe said that when leaders stop listening, civil disobedience is the next step, and from his experience, the council members were shutting out dissenting voices. 

“Going in, actually, I wasn't 100% sure that I wanted to do it,” he said. “But after listening to the council members’ initial speeches and hearing other people, I was like, I do need to do this because they're just not paying attention to us.” 

Applause and cheering for Kluwe could be heard in the council chambers as he was carried out by police for stepping out in front of the podium.

“I've heard from a lot of people in Huntington Beach that they were really inspired by what I did, because they just felt lost and hopeless, didn't really know what to do and they didn't think that anyone cared,” he said. 

For Kluwe, activism has always been something that he was passionate about, but took on a new meaning when he got involved with the Minnesotans for Marriage Equality movement when he was on the Vikings in 2012. 

The movement was trying to defeat a state amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. 

“If I ever want someone to speak out for me, then I have to be prepared to speak out for them if I'm in a position to do so,” he said. “And I was in a position to do so.” 

Kluwe had a conversation with himself weighing the risks of speaking out publicly while affiliated with the NFL, considering how fans, teammates and the franchise might respond.

“If the worst comes to pass, if I lose my job for this, can I live with myself afterwards? And I was like, yeah,” he said. 

In the end, he decided it was worth it. 

“I made sure I wasn't preaching in the locker room, I wasn't trying to rally anyone on the team to the cause,” he said. “It was just in my free time, I'm going to speak up for this issue because I think it's important.”

After everything just “snowballed,” he began to speak out against injustice and advocate for the causes he cares about most.

Kluwe said that while everyone should be invested in society and care about what actions the government is taking, there is an added importance on public figures to use their voice to positively influence.

“I am completely aware that our society is not fair, that there are people whose voices get listened to more than others, and then there are people who have more privilege and power than others,” he said. “I think it's incumbent upon those people to use that privilege and power to do good things, and not just to exploit more and more.”

Kluwe pointed out that when speaking out as a public figure on behalf of other people, it's critical to actually be versed in the topic.  

“That way, if someone asks you a question, then you can answer it in a way that makes it clear you know what you're talking about, and that you're not just there for the attention,” he said. 

More importantly, Kluwe emphasized the need to hold local government accountable, especially in times like these, and reminded residents that civil servants are elected to serve the public — not oppose them.

“I feel like a lot of these city governments that are following the ‘MAGA’ agenda do not care about what's best for the city, because all they care about is getting attention for themselves, accumulating political power for themselves and then using that to try to get even more,” Kluwe said. 

Kluwe acknowledged that in these unprecedented times, protesters don’t have the same protections and must be aware of the risks involved in challenging university leadership or the government.

“So, foremost, be aware of the consequences,” he said. “They've shown they can and will deport you, even though it's not legal, even though it's against everything the United States stands for.”

Kluwe encouraged those with the ability to act to step up, show up at marches, pack city council chambers and be politically engaged. 

“You don't have to make your entire life this, but just be aware enough that you can make informed decisions when it comes time to vote, and then actually show up and vote,” Kluwe said. 

He recalled that during his college years, he didn’t view voting as a big deal or fully grasp the impact it could have.

“So I'm here to tell you from experience you should care, it’ll affect you, especially now,” Kluwe said. 

Kluwe urged that if you're informed and politically engaged, you have a responsibility to start conversations with friends, to help them see what’s truly at stake.

“We need people to understand that this really isn't a right versus left anymore, this is a do we want to be America, or do we want to be something else?” he said. 

Kluwe ended the interview reflecting on the past while looking ahead. He acknowledged that although the American dream has not always been realized, it remains a vision worth striving toward.

“We really need people to understand that regardless of your party affiliation, you need to come out and stand up against the dictator,” he said. “Otherwise, we're going to turn into something else.”

To hear Kluwe discuss the power and consequences of civil disobedience, attend the free event in AF 208 on Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m.