A centuries-old tradition grounded in American history and constitutional protection was dealt a blow Tuesday, July 22, as the Doña Ana County Commission voted 4–1 to eliminate public prayer from its meetings. The decision rescinds Resolution 2018-25, which had formally allowed invocations from community members, including faith leaders, medical personnel, and first responders.
Since 2018, nearly every county meeting began with a moment of prayer—an act affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Town of Greece v. Galloway, which held that ceremonial invocations do not violate the Establishment Clause so long as they remain voluntary and inclusive. But on Tuesday, commissioners argued the practice might appear exclusive or divisive. Critics say they offered no credible evidence to back the claims, instead bowing to pressure from secular activists and fringe voices seeking to erase faith from public life.
Chairman Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez acknowledged the unusually high turnout for the meeting. “We passed a $387 million budget without a single public comment,” he noted. “But tonight, because prayer is on the agenda, we’ve had overwhelming participation.” Twenty-one residents spoke on the matter, with comments sharply divided.
Former Commissioner Isabella Solis, who frequently delivered invocations herself, told the board, “Evangelical and Catholic communities significantly shape our county. You have a profound responsibility to reflect the values and beliefs of your constituents.”
Conservative leaders blasted the vote. Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, said, “Doña Ana County’s decision to eliminate public prayer is a blatant erosion of constitutional freedoms. This is not about neutrality—it’s about silencing faith. The First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion, not the forced absence of it.”
Jodi Hendricks, Executive Director of New Mexico Family Action Movement, echoed that concern: “This vote reflects a growing misunderstanding of both the Constitution and the role of faith in public life. We will continue to stand with New Mexicans who value faith, freedom, and the First Amendment.”
While some critics of the invocation policy claimed it was inherently exclusive, the data tells a different story. According to the county, 71% of invocations were Christian, 7% Catholic, 5% Jewish, and 3% nondenominational. One Native American ceremony in 2024 drew backlash, highlighting the difficult balance between inclusion and intolerance.
Commissioner Susana Chaparro was the only dissenting vote. “Prayer doesn’t have to name a religion to be meaningful,” she said. “We shouldn’t throw away a respectful tradition because of a few bad-faith actors.”
Other commissioners, including Manuel Sanchez and Gloria Gameros, argued for a moment of silence as an alternative, suggesting it offered a more “neutral” approach. Gameros insisted, “God is not being taken away… people can pray silently.”
But to many residents, the vote represents something deeper: a shift away from the moral foundations that shaped the nation. “This isn’t about a moment of silence,” said one local pastor. “It’s about pushing God out of government, one meeting at a time.”
The controversy is far from over. Faith-based advocates and constitutional watchdogs are already mobilizing to challenge what they see as an unnecessary and discriminatory reversal of religious freedom. For many, Doña Ana County has become the latest battleground in a growing national fight to defend faith in the public square.
Just adding another nail to the coffin for NM. You have turned on the people now you’re turning your backs on God. May God have mercy on you all. You will be asked to explain your choices one day before your creator. I hope you are ready.
look who you voted for. way to go dona ana.
Our Founding Fathers (you know…. the ones who actually wrote the Constitution) opened their meetings with prayer….Christian prayer. Were the writers of the Constitution “unconstitutional “???? Heck no! If they had meant for our government to be Godless they sure wouldn’t have opened with prayer! Plus, the first US Congress commissioned and paid to have Bibles printed to distribute to citizens and for use in schools. It’s very evident that our Founding Fathers and founding documents never intended for us to have a Godless nation.
Our rights come from God not government. Government is only supposed to uphold and protect our God given rights. That’s it.
Just another dumb and dumber action by the dumbest of people that were ever elected to Office. Pay attention people get rid of them, vote them out, they aren’t looking out for you. They’re looking out for whoever has the most influence on their future and their pocketbook.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.
Amen!
Dona Ana County wants to be Bernco
So Bad. Las Cruces like the Burque is an UNFLUSHED TOILET….
You nailed it perfectly Dwaine!
Stupid is as stupid does. Whoever voted for these “representatives” are stupid. The Representatives are even more stupid. Idiots. Weak, useless idiots.
When America was a Christian nation we were first in, industry, education , health and every other scale that measured greatness. Since the takeover of our government and monetary system by demonic anti-Christ foreigners, America has fallen to unprecedented depths. We are now a mediocre nation headed to third world status. Our new masters bend and misinterpret the constitution to prevent the public in invoking God to aid us in decisions that are made for public good. The fools in Dona Ana are just a sample that’s playing out throughout American cities and counties. America needs prayer now more than ever. Pray for our deliverance and the return of Christ and sanity to American life and politics.
Dear Lord, Praying for those who know you to vote! May we seek help to learn who’s running and why in our districts. (The info is out there!) And may we seek help to get to the polls, no matter what. You have told us to ask and it will be given, and that with you nothing is impossible. Asking now, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hey, Christians, stop complaining; preach and teach biblical moral and civic duty to vote for righteousness! Only about 16-30% vote in the County elections that elect these ignorant commissioners. If only 50% of Christians did their duty to vote, they could win every election.
“But tonight, because prayer is on the agenda, we’ve had overwhelming participation.” says Commissioner Schaljo-Hernandez. Maybe it’s because rescinding the practice is a bonehead move. People speak out when necessary. The County Commission spends money like drunken sailors. Never reason with a drunk.
The founders were very clear to the people in the Declaration of Independence this country was founded on God, as does the NM constitution. We can nullify by not complying, but we are all cowards. Very few of us stand up and redress our grievances, even fewer take action. NM deserves what we get.
The demoNAZI’s governing LOST Cruces are being led by the evils of george soros and his band of puppets!!! Better start voting your RELIGION and not for some demoNAZI racist that wants to govern by putting ALL Humans in 50 different Boxes, brown, black, green eyes, blue eyes, round eyes, square eyes, 27 differing genders, rich, poor, left, right, vaxxed, non vaxxed,,, New Mexico has been lost for over 100 years and the entire time they have been led by the democrats, democRATS, and now the demoNAZI’s. Its time to grow up and end their reign of destruction to New Mexico.