For Immediate Release
June 11, 2020

Media Contact:
Angela Allmond, Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party
405-536-2412

Interview Contact: Alicia Andrews
alicia@okdemocrats.org
918-951-6344

The Oklahoma Democratic Party Announces Press Conference on Absurd Circus Distractions

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Democratic Party announces Tulsa Press Conference and statements on absurd circus distractions.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party will hold a press conference in Tulsa in the Greenwood District, the historic location of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, on Friday, June 19, while recognizing Juneteenth. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day when the Emancipation Proclamation was read to enslaved African Americans in Texas. More information will be announced soon on the specific location and time of the press conference.

During a time of anguish and pain that many people of color are facing, law enforcement across Oklahoma continues to demonstrate why marginalized communities are demanding a change be made to the rampant, systemic racism that has infiltrated our institutions.

“Once again, marginalized communities are subjected to more impudent acts from law enforcement as they ignore and refuse to recognize obvious systemic racism,” stated Alicia Andrew, Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair. “Monday Tulsa Police Department Maj. Travis Yates claims that systemic racism doesn’t exist and doubled down on his comments with ‘shooting African-Americans is less than it probably ought to be.’ It’s easy to hide and claim that systemic racism doesn’t exist if it doesn’t impact one directly, but that doesn’t mean it’s not experienced by people of color every day.

“Canadian County Sheriff, Chris West, believes the answer to unrest is to deputize his citizens by creating his own ‘Sheriff’s Posse.’ Communities do not require more policing, especially from untrained ‘posses,'” continued Andrews. Serious and honest discussions are needed, no matter how uncomfortable the topic. Change will not happen until the current system is reformed, and the voices of marginalized communities are heard,” Andrews concluded.

Now is the time for law enforcement, elected leaders, and community activists and leaders to come together for substantive discussions. It is time that marginalized communities be heard, no longer silenced, and no longer ignored.

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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.