An Oshkosh Council woman says she plans to stand for the pledge of allegiance at the city’s next council meeting. This news comes after she was criticized for not standing during the pledge just last week following what she described as a disappointing election.
Before every city council meeting the pledge of allegiance is standard protocol in Oshkosh.
"We always have students here to lead us in the pledge of allegiance," says Oshkosh city Mayor Steve Cummings.
But when council woman Caroline Panske took a seat during the pledge, that was unexpected by everyone in chambers and even herself.
"When it came time to turn around to state the pledge of allegiance, I couldn't do it," says Council person Caroline Panske.
It was the words regarding a nation that's indivisible with liberty and justice for all, that didn't sit well with Panske following the previous evening’s election results.
"I didn't believe those words to be true and instead of standing up and faking my way through it I simply decided to sit down," says Panske.
Some in Oshkosh criticize her decision to do so, while others support it.
"Part of the idea for America is freedom of speech and freedom of expression. And if she feels like freedom of expression is to sit down during the pledge of allegiance or national anthem, if she feels like she's making a statement, she has the right to do so," says Kijana Webster of Oshkosh.
While no disciplinary action can legally be taken for the gesture of sitting during the pledge some in Oshkosh see the act as inappropriate for a city leader.
"She may have the right to do it, (but) is this the right environment in which to do it," asks Mayor Cummings.
“The thing she has to understand is that with rights come responsibilities. And she is an elected official in a non-partisan office that is truly serving the entire community of Oshkosh," adds Councilman Tom Pech Jr.
At the next council meeting Panske has gone on record stating that she does plan on standing for the pledge.
Panske says she does not regret her actions but she would like to make it clear she meant no disrespect towards the men and women who serve this country by sitting during the pledge of allegiance. Adding that the timing of the election and Veterans Day may have made it appear her gesture was pointed at vets, though she says it was not intended to do so.
