Residents use public comment to challenge pledge expectations, raise racial concerns
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Summary
During public comment, multiple speakers said they would not stand for the pledge and linked that choice to historical and ongoing racial injustices; several speakers also thanked departing council members and urged continued engagement.
During the public-comment period at the Dec. 10 Davenport City Council meeting, several residents challenged expectations that citizens stand for the pledge of allegiance and raised broader concerns about racial justice and civic treatment.
Don Mays (4th Ward) said he did not stand for the pledge and explained his decision to the council: "I don't stand because they said at home, whether brave, free, whatever it say. There's no freedom. There's still slavery." Lashawn, speaking from the 7th Ward, told the council: "America is not free for everybody," and urged officials to consider the lived experience of Black, brown and Indigenous residents when framing public expectations.
Other commenters thanked outgoing council members for their service and urged continuing public engagement and vigilance. Speakers asked the council not to conflate criticism with disrespect and asked for more substantive listening and action from city leaders.
The comments underscored persistent community divisions and demand for the council to address equity and public-safety concerns. No formal council action on the issues raised was recorded during the Dec. 10 meeting.