West Hollywood officials say they were just following presidential directives when they ordered flags to fly at half-mast for Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a conservative podcaster, activist, and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated while speaking at a Utah college campus last week.
In a news release published on Sunday afternoon, officials said that it was the city’s policy to follow presidential directives on lowering the flag. Officials also said that the lowering of the flag “should not be interpreted as an expression of alignment with, or endorsement of, Mr. Kirk’s political views or actions.”
“Rather, the action was undertaken in accordance with the City’s Policy for Recognitions and Memorials, which acknowledges that the City follows the direction of the President in determining when flags in the City are flown at half-staff,” the statement continued.
On Monday morning, KNX News’ Jon Baird spoke with residents about how they felt about city officials lowering the flags. One man called it an “apt recognition.”
“It was the appropriate thing,” he said. “I'm fine with it, I mean, because this, this event has really rocked a huge part of the nation.”
Another man agreed, adding that Kirk “meant a lot to tens of millions of people.
“I think what happened was just such a terrible murder,” he said. “The representational value of a guy being on a college campus trying to engage in dialogue with students, civil discourse, and he was shot.”
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There were others, however, who disagreed with the city’s decision, with one man saying he thought it was inappropriate.
“He said a lot of terrible things,” the man told Baird. “I mean, he's still a human being, but I think he was a pretty awful human being.”
Another man said he disagreed with the city’s decision because Kirk wasn’t a politician.
“I think it's pathetic to have a civilian who did not deserve that,” he said. “He wasn't part of the government. He didn't do anything of importance.”
Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking to students at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson was arrested in Kirk’s murder. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
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