Duluth City Councilors Share Mixed Opinions Regarding Pledge of Allegiance

DULUTH, Minn.– The opinions of two Duluth city councilors are coming into light, and it involves whether the Pledge of Allegiance should be part of city council meetings.

The topic began after a member of the public spoke at a recent council meeting.

The gentleman who stayed seated during the Pledge of Allegiance said removing the pledge from the council chamber would be more inviting and inclusive for all Duluthians.

Councilor Azrin Awal, who is an immigrant herself, acknowledged her love for the country and what it stands for but also empathized with the speaker.

She said the American flag increasingly does not necessarily stand for freedom for everyone.

She encouraged constituents to share their thoughts, but she makes it clear there is no resolution on the table to remove the pledge from city hall.

“I responded that I appreciate this individual bringing this up and expressing his concern. I am not proposing to remove the pledge of allegiance from our standardized council rules at all. What I am critically thinking and reflecting on is how can we ensure that all of our constituents feel seen and heard in Duluth city council chambers. To ensure that it is an inviting and accessible space for everyone,” said Councilor Azrin Awal.

Council Vice President Lynn Nephew is one of the councilors who does not agree with any changes to the traditional pledge of allegiance before each council meeting, and said she believes everybody has a right to participate or not.

“The vast majority of emails that I have received have been ones in support of us, of us continuing to state the pledge, and a lot of their concerns have been the same, like, let’s not do something more that would divide us as a community. Let’s stay on topic. And if people choose to sit during it, like, that’s your right, and I encourage you to do that, if that’s where your feelings lie, if you’re supportive of standing up and seeing the pledge, I would say, go for it as well, like I have no strong opinion that way I’m going to choose to continue to say it. And I would say people should do what they feel is best for them,” said Council Vice President Lynn Nephew.

Council Awal said she does not believe there is enough support to move forward with the removal of the pledge at council meetings.

However, she said these discussions are important to have when it comes to making sure city hall is a welcoming place for all.