Emeryville council agrees to add 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' to Black History Month proclamation; land‑acknowledgment and pledge proposals fail

The Emeryville City Council directed staff to include the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" in the city’s annual Black History Month proclamation, while separate proposals to add a land acknowledgment and to restore the pledge of allegiance to council proceedings failed to advance.

Council member Pfeiffer asked that the Black National Anthem be either sung or recited as part of the city’s Black History Month proclamation. Council member Welch, citing an existing standing proclamation, suggested staff could incorporate the change; the city attorney confirmed staff could add the item. Mayor Carr instructed staff to add the language to the proclamation following majority support among council members.

Council member Pfeiffer separately asked the council to place a discussion of a land acknowledgment recognizing the Ohlone people and the Shell Mound on a future agenda. The mayor asked if there was majority support; seeing none, the item failed to move forward.

Council member Preyforce proposed placing the pledge of allegiance (without the words "under God") on a future agenda for discussion and possible return to council proceedings. The item likewise failed for lack of support.

The council treated the items as future‑agenda requests or direction to staff rather than final policy adoptions. The instruction to add the Black National Anthem will be implemented administratively through the city’s proclamation process and does not, by itself, change council rules or ceremonial practice until staff presents a revised proclamation for formal use.