Former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward is now seeking $10 million from the city, claiming she suffered “irreparable harm” after city leaders formally denounced her for attending a 2023 worship event and receiving prayer from pastor Matt Shea.
Her attorney argues the city’s resolution was “unlawful government punishment” and violated Woodward’s First Amendment rights. The claim says the council punished her simply for attending a “public prayer/political event” and being “embraced” by one of its leaders.
Woodward later said she did not know Shea would be there and believed the event was connected to prayer for wildfire victims. But Shea disputed that, saying the gathering was planned months earlier “to worship Jesus” and “wasn’t for ‘fire victims.’”
Some Christian residents defended Woodward, saying they saw no hate at the event. One attendee said, “I saw people ready to pray,” and described the moment as believers praying for leaders and fire victims.
