For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Angela Allmond, Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party
angela@okdemocrats.org

Democrats Lead by Example as Annual Carl Albert Dinner is Cancelled

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, August 16, 2021 – In stark contrast to the state Republican Party whose chairman hosted a super-spreader event this weekend, the Oklahoma Democratic Party has made the difficult decision to cancel its biennial Carl Albert Dinner previously scheduled to be held in-person for early November.

“We take our shared responsibility for the health and safety of Oklahomans very seriously. Although this is our single largest fundraising event, I am confident that we are making the right decision. With so many Oklahomans still unvaccinated and our local hospitals reporting an uptick in admissions due to COVID-19, we believe that a large indoor gathering is not in keeping with CDC guidelines,” said Alicia Andrews, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

“While we will all miss this wonderful time of gathering with friends old and new, the safety of our people has to be a priority,” continued Andrews. “I believe Democrats will fully respect this decision and continue to support the Party with their volunteer time and financial gifts.”

Andrews said the photographs of Saturday’s Republican rally at the state capitol were horrifying. “I simply can’t understand protesting something that does not exist,” said Andrews referring to rally’s call to protest vaccine mandates as well as the use of masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

“To do so, while potentially infecting hundreds of people, reminds me of the rally that the former president held in Tulsa. We saw a major spike after that event and I fear we will see the same thing following this ill-advised Republican stunt,” Andrews said.

“Sadly, Republican leadership in Oklahoma continues to demonstrate a lack of any care at all for the most vulnerable people in our state. We must all take a stand to support the health of our friends, family, and neighbors. Until the Republican Party does just that, none of us should entertain any discussions about what is or is not ‘the Oklahoma Standard’,” concluded Andrews.

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For more information about the Oklahoma Democratic Party, visit the party website at okdemocrats.org, or call party headquarters at 405-427-3366.