Members of the city council for a Minneapolis suburb have voted to stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before council meetings, citing an effort to “create a more welcoming environment.”
Here’s a story we weren’t expecting to report on July 4th. The St. Louis Park city council voted unanimously to stop reciting the pledge beginning on July 15.
Council Member Tim Brausen said, “In order to create a more welcoming environment to a diverse community, we are going to forgo saying the Pledge of Allegiance before every meeting,” adding members might recite it in the future if there’s an appropriate opportunity, like if Boy Scouts are there.
David Gohman who has lived in St. Louis Park for nearly 30 years isn’t happy with the decision. He told the council — “I think it should be said every time, whether it is in school or meetings or whatever, “We owe it to the country.” He also flies the American flag at his home.
Ellen Hertz, a business owner in the city, says she has no problem with the change, but doesn’t think it was necessary. She said “In terms of what would offend people and what offends me, that’s not at the top of the list.”
Mayor Jake Spano wasn’t at the meeting when this change was approved. He says getting rid of the pledge wasn’t a big priority for him.
Spano told CBS Minnesota via email: “I think there are more substantive things we should be working on to make our city more open and welcoming.”