INVOCATION: An idea for PF City Council

I was disheartened to hear that the City Council of Post Falls, on the day our country lost civil rights great Jesse Jackson, repealed the acknowledgement of Juneteenth as a holiday “because nobody had never heard about it until five years ago,” and to allow religious invocations at their council meetings. So, I offer my suggested invocation:

“Gentlemen and ladies, let us take a moment to reflect on the ideals that the Framers of our Constitution guaranteed us: separation of church and state to prevent a theocracy from burdening the people with specific religious beliefs; freedom of speech, even if some disagree with the speech; freedom of peaceful assembly to ask our government for change; and an acknowledgment that every person, regardless of sex, race, or economic circumstance has the right to opportunity and recognition of their human dignity. Let us invite all people, especially those entrusted with elected leadership responsibility, to learn and explore the history of our civil rights achievements and remind our leaders to honor their civic duties to all members of our community, including minorities.”

ALYSSA SWARTZ
Coeur d’Alene (formerly of Post Falls)