A Minnesota city reinstated the Pledge of Allegiance after a backlash from across the nation, including criticism from President Donald Trump.
After the St. Louis Park city council voted in June to stop reciting the pledge before meetings, Trump weighed in, predicting the decision highlighted why he would win Minnesota in the 2020 election.
On July 15, the city council voted unanimously to reinstate the pledge. The vote to stop reciting the pledge had also been unanimous.
The pledge wasn’t on the council schedule but council member Thom Miller made a motion to bring it to a vote.
“There are many from outside of St. Louis Park who are abusing and harassing our city staff, making it very difficult for them to serve the residents and businesses in our city, which is the very reason our local government exists,” he told the crowd, which consisted of more than 100 people, reported the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The crowd was primarily people protesting the original vote, which other council members apologized for.
“I’ve concluded that I made a mistake and I’m sorry and I’m asking for forgiveness,” said city council member Steve Hallifan, reported Fox9.
Repeated phone calls and emails negatively impacted the council, another member added.
#StLouisPark council members all addressing #pledge debate.
Some saying they’ve gotten death threats since they changed Pledge protocol. @KSTP pic.twitter.com/hd1yReUtCc
— Brett Hoffland (@BrettHoffland) July 15, 2019
Mayor of #StLouisPark calling this the “most challenging time” he can remember for the city #pledge @KSTP pic.twitter.com/xdDIrEbKR5
— Brett Hoffland (@BrettHoffland) July 16, 2019
“It’s impacting our staff’s productivity and mental health. Our wonderful staff. It’s costing us money,” said council member Margaret Rog.
She suggested that people from outside St. Louis Park were not welcome in the city, adding: “You visitors from Coon Rapids, Orono, Lakeville, Rochester—wherever you’re from: take your energy for civic engagement back to your own communities.”
Tim Brausen, another council member, asked people to respect the council.
“This is America, I pledge allegiance to it. As we strive to have liberty and justice for all, please let us have our liberty here and respect our local control,” he said, reported KSTP.
In a statement, the Minnesota GOP wrote on Twitter: “Tonight, St. Louis Park City Council chose to listen to their constituents, & fellow Americans, by restoring the Pledge as a part of their meetings. Republicans & Democrats alike should be proud to recite the Pledge of Allegiance & not made to feel ashamed of being Americans.”
Tonight, St. Louis Park City Council chose to listen to their constituents, & fellow Americans, by restoring the Pledge as a part of their meetings. Republicans & Democrats alike should be proud to recite the Pledge of Allegiance & not made to feel ashamed of being Americans.
— MNGOP (@mngop) July 16, 2019
A number of attendees spoke to media afterward to share their thoughts.
“I want to make sure that our traditions continue to be recognized because this is a great country,” Michael Smith, from Eden Prairie, said. “Our pledge needs to be said.”
“I agree with the council in that the pledge should not be said before meetings because it might ostracize some people,” added Meg McCormick from St. Louis Park.
“Frankly, this is a distraction. It saddens me that it’s gotten the national attention of mindless, but very effective, agitators and organizers,” Kirsten Brekke Albright told the Star-Tribune.
“Why take that right away from other Americans who are really proud to be united and indivisible in one nation?” Marni Hockenberg added. “I think the Pledge of Allegiance celebrates our diversity, that we’re all united.”
