Utah Officials Under Fire for Spanish-Language Prayer at July 4th Event
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
City leaders in the northern Utah town of Hyrum are under fire for allowing the closing prayer at a 4th of July program to be given in Spanish with English translation.
Since the decision -- which council members say was meant to accommodate the Spanish-speaking pastor asked to deliver the prayer -- Hyrum's City Hall has been inundated with angry e-mails demanding that council members resign, and even suggesting the council be deported to Mexico, Fox 13 reported.
"I do believe in freedom of speech, but I think there's a time and a place" for public pronouncements in Spanish, said Hyrum resident Darrin Smith. "It would have been better for Cinco De Mayo."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Council member Paul James stood by the prayer and said the ceremony was a patriotic tribute to America's Founding Fathers and veterans.
Though the city has also faced opposition for having any prayers at a public event, the program's organizer said they would continue the tradition next year -- but this time only in English.