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El Mirage council declines to reinstate prayer at meetings, affirms moment of silence and explores interfaith options
Summary
After hearing constitutional guidance and councilmember concerns about inclusivity and legal risk, the Common Council reached consensus not to adopt a formal prayer/invocation practice at council meetings but discussed forming an interfaith council for community events.
At a March 4, 2025 work session, the El Mirage Common Council discussed whether to allow prayer (an invocation) at council meetings and reached consensus not to adopt an invocation practice in the council chambers, favoring the current moment-of-silence practice and exploring interfaith collaboration outside the dais.
Vice Mayor Parsons introduced the item, noting resident requests and examples from nearby cities that hold invocations. The city attorney advised the council that some municipalities structure invocations to comply with constitutional requirements. The council’s outside contract attorney, Alan Quist of Pierce Coleman, and staff discussed the legal framework and practical safeguards that would be necessary if the council chose…
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