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South Bend council reinstates Pledge of Allegiance on meeting agendas
Summary
The South Bend City Council voted Jan. 12 to restore the Pledge of Allegiance as line 2 on future meeting agendas after public comment and a motion by Councilor Manlow; the motion carried 5-0 and supporters stood to recite the Pledge.
The South Bend City Council voted on Jan. 12, 2026 to restore the Pledge of Allegiance to the standard agenda format. Councilor Manlow moved that "the Pledge of Allegiance be reinstated as line 2 of all future Council meeting agendas," and the motion carried (Ayes-5, Noes-Ø).
Public comment preceding the motion included multiple speakers urging the Council to retain the Pledge — Jewel Hardy, Millie Clement, Jerry Bowman, Karla Weber, Lisa Olsen, Don Corcoran and Patricia Corcoran — while Katie O'Neal urged removal and Diantha Weilepp noted the Pledge is not required at public meetings. After the vote, those in support stood and recited the Pledge. Patricia Corcoran also expressed concern that the Pledge had been removed without prior Council discussion or approval; the Mayor addressed the removal during discussion but the Council ultimately supported reinstatement.
