Three Manitou Springs City Council members chose to sit during the Pledge of Allegiance at a recent meeting, preceded by a statement by the mayor saying he believed the action was a protest against the federal government. 

At-large councilmembers John Shada, Julie Wolfe and Judith Chandler each sat during the pledge at a regular council meeting on Feb. 18. 

“In light of recent actions in the federal government, I can understand her angst, and her desire to protest the chaos and disruption at the national level,” said Mayor John Graham in his statement at the meeting. He did not specify to which councilmember he was referring. 

Graham did not sit during the pledge, nor did three other councilmembers. Some members of the audience also appeared to sit during the pledge. 

Shada, Wolfe and Chandler have not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication. 

“I suspect we’ll see more cases of protest and civil disobedience,” Graham said in his statement, making reference to famous American essayist Henry David Thoreau.

Graham added that he felt local government would need to step up in “difficult and uncertain times.” 

“It is critical for civic bodies like ours to redouble our efforts,” he said.