Fargo Public Schools to no longer begin its meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance

FARGO, N.D. (KFYR) - On Wednesday, in a seven to two vote, the Fargo School Board decided it would no longer begin school board meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance, although the pledge is still being said in the district’s schools.

The board’s vice president, Seth Holden, said that the Pledge of Allegiance doesn’t align with the district’s diversity, equity, and inclusion values. The lines the school board cited were: ‘One nation, under God,’ and, ‘Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.’ The school board said these specific lines were cited for coming off as non-inclusive and one council member argued that the country does not currently provide ‘Liberty and justice for all.’

“The pledge isn’t a show of our patriotism, it’s an affirmation of our commitment to a greater cause, and that cause is freedom,” said Fargo School Board member David Paulson.

The board’s decision has caused a great deal of turmoil. In a statement, the NDGOP called the decision ‘Laughable.’ Senator Kevin Cramer said in a tweet, ‘Please don’t judge North Dakota on the actions of a few cultural and intellectual outliers.’

“I just can’t believe we’re here. I cannot believe we’re here talking about this,” said another man in attendance.

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