** Media Advisory **
Grassroots Coalition Holds Press Conference on Launch of
SQ816 Veto Referendum Campaign
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. – Several grassroots organizations and community leaders are challenging a new law signed by Governor Kevin Stitt – House Bill 1674. The veto referendum, filed by Young Democrats of America President Joshua Harris-Till, will send passage of HB 1674 to the people of Oklahoma for a vote. The collective will hold a joint press conference at the Oklahoma State Capitol on the South Plaza at 11:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 29, 2021. HB 1674 incentives incidents of road rage and potential vehicular manslaughter when drivers deem a group of three or more protestors to be “rioting.”
A number of speakers will address the media this Thursday. The list includes legislative leadership as well as community leaders such as Ayanna Najuma. Najuma was among the original “sit-iners” who carried out the Oklahoma City Sit-Ins with Dr. Clara Luper.
Former Governor Brad Henry, who is unable to attend, shared the following statement ahead of the press conference. “HB 1674 is vague and dangerous. It flies in the face of Oklahomans’ first amendment rights. We cannot allow legislation to remain law when it directly threatens any of our protected constitutional rights. I’m calling on all Oklahoma voters to sign the veto referendum for HB 1674 and vote NO on SQ816.”
Who: Representative John Waldron (Tulsa-D), Senator George Young (Oklahoma City-D), Senator Kevin Matthews (Tulsa-D), Minority Caucus Vice-Chair Representative Monroe Nichols (Tulsa-D), Representative Jason Lowe (Oklahoma City-D), Alicia Andrews – Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, Ayanna Najuma and Young Democrats of America President Joshua Harris-Till.
When: Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.
Where: South Plaza at Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, Okla. 73105. Live streaming information pending.
What: Press conference discussing launch of new veto referendum for HB 1674. Speakers will address the major policy issues of the new law and the need for a voter driven veto. Concerns over the constitutionality of the law and the imminent threat of harm to Oklahomans exercising their first amendment rights will be shared.
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