Kim does stand with the rest of the Supervisors but stays silent. She objects to the words in the pledge "with liberty and justice for all."
"I don't believe we are a nation with liberty and justice for all, yet," Kim told the San Francisco Examiner.
Kim says she is very loyal to America and points to her years of service as a civil rights lawyer and community organizer. She also served as president of the school board before her election as supervisor.
Colleague and Board President David Chiu says he "absolutely supports Supervisor Kim's perspective." Chiu recites the pledge himself, but says he doesn't see the controversy in Kim choosing not to.
"I know her as someone who is absolutely patriotic, who loves her country," Chiu said.
On the Ronn Owen's show on KGO Radio, some listeners criticized Kim's decision. One caller said as a public official, "She has an image to put out there that she is supporting the country."
Kim represents District Six, which is a diverse area ranging from the rough and tumble Tenderloin to the posh South Beach neighborhood. Constituents ABC7 talked with said as long as Kim is representing the district's needs well, they have no problem with her refusal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kim is out of town and did not return phone calls asking for comment.
