The St. Louis Park City Council voted unanimously to reverse their decision to recite The Pledge last night after immense pressure and pushback from both residents and citizens nationwide.
Tensions were much higher this time around for the follow-up meeting to last week’s city council – this time also drawing a much larger crowd of at least 200 that left people flowing outside the building.
Leading up to the much-anticipated meeting, vehicles donned with American Flags lined the streets, along with a 20-foot inflatable Bald Eagle that read, “Save The Pledge”. Thousands of petitions requesting for The Pledge’s reinstatement were also delivered inside to the City Council.
Many supporters of keeping the pledge were unable to enter council chambers due to crowd control by city police present this time around. They huddled together in the lobby, with their American Flags, the steam, and condensation from intense humidity, heat, and severe weather that was brewing outside – pressed against the glass windows that separated them from the meeting inside.
However, it didn’t keep them from being heard and taking part of the meeting; with lobby TV’s streaming the meeting live, they chanted The Pledge loudly as members took turns reflecting on their decision to reinstate The Pledge of Allegiance.
Upon waiting eagerly for council members to arrive, heated exchanges from both anti-pledge and pro-pledge advocates traded chants with each other – those reciting The Pledge of Allegiance were then met with chants of ‘This is How Democracy Works’. Others irritably taunted supporters of The Pledge to ‘leave’ accusing them of all not being St. Louis Park citizens. Signage from proponents of banning The Pledge read:
“Non-Citizen residents pay taxes and deserve a voice!”
“All Are Welcome.”
“Civil Disagreement is Patriotism. SLP United”
When council members finally arrived, they immediately motioned to address The Pledge Controversy. Councilmember Margaret Rog shot, “This circus needs to end.”
Councilmember Tom Brausen took the opportunity to call out Fox News National:
“I want to talk to our National Media… specifically, the fake – excuse me, the Fox News network.”
Ann Mavity chose to divert from the issue at hand and instead turned on supporters of The Pledge, accusing them of being “disrespectful” of the American Flag for wearing it on clothing which violates U.S flag code. Mavity then went on to mock in question the number of times needed to recite The Pledge to be ‘Patriotic.’
“Is it once a month… every single meeting?” she stated sarcastically.
Council members doubled down on their initial decision and reiterated their intention to make non-citizens and certain groups of people feel more welcome.
Once the decision to reinstate The Pledge was finalized, council members took a 10-minute break while supporters broke out in celebration and streamed out of the building cheering and singing The National Anthem.
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