A city locatedinRep. Ilhan Omar's (D-MN) 5th Congressional District voted this month to eliminate saying the Pledge of Allegiance during city council meetings because it doesn't want to offend people.
CBS Minnesotareports that members of the St. Louis Park City Council voted unanimously in a 5 to 0 vote to ditch saying the Pledge of Allegiance "in order to create a more welcoming environment to a diverse community."
City Council member Anne Mavity sponsored the change, saying that the Pledge of Allegiance did not reflect the city's values, according toKARE 11.
"Not everyone who does business with the city or has a conversation is a citizen," Mavity said. "They certainly don't need to come into city council chambers and pledge their allegiance to our country in order to tell us what their input is about a sidewalk in front of their home."
City Council member Tim Brausensaid: "I hope it’s not too controversial. Our community tends to be a very welcoming and increasingly diverse community, and we believe our citizens will understand."
The move sparked instant criticism from Minnesota Senate Republicans who tweeted: "SHOCKING: Democrats on the St. Louis Park, MN City Council voted unanimously to eliminate the pledge of allegiance at their meetings."