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El Mirage council declines proposal to reintroduce prayer at meetings, keeps moment of silence
Summary
After hearing legal guidance and a wide-ranging council debate March 4, the El Mirage Common Council agreed not to adopt a formal invocation practice at council meetings and to retain a moment of silence; several members suggested exploring an interfaith council for community engagement.
The El Mirage Common Council discussed a resident proposal to reintroduce prayer or invocations at council meetings during its March 4 work session and reached a consensus not to adopt a formal prayer practice in the council chambers.
Vice Mayor Parsons introduced the item, saying several residents had asked why council meetings did not open with prayer and citing examples from other Arizona cities. She said Surprise and Glendale had implemented invocations with little controversy and proposed guidelines such as a one-minute limit and outreach to local churches.
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