Mayor Defends Prayer Breakfast

Mayor Paul Agidius defended his attendance at the first Moscow Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast, even though it was sponsored in part by a group that backed last year’s failed anti-gay initiative.

Agidius was among about 160 government, education, business and civic leaders at Wednesday’s event, which the mayor said was a way to encourage unity.

“This is not official city business,” he said. “It is nondenominational, and it is crossing lines and getting people together. It is not the only way, but I think it is a very effective way.”

Among the breakfast’s sponsors was Redhawk Crossing, part of Community Christian Ministries. The non-profit, non-denominational Christian group supported the Idaho Citizens Alliance’s anti-gay initiative.

The state ballot measure failed by only 3,073 votes.

About a dozen members of the gay rights group, Lesbian Avengers, handed out fliers before the breakfast and peacefully demonstrated afterward.