Black Oklahomans demand accountability from Sen. Lankford
Oklahoma Senator James Lankford’s role in propelling riots by pro-Trump extremists has prompted many Oklahomans, particularly Black Oklahomans, to challenge his position on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, an organization that oversees activities related to the commemoration of this tragic event in Tulsa history. The Commission ultimately decided to allow Lankford to remain a member of their body, but many continue to call for his resignation.
Lankford was speaking on the Senate floor when a pro-Trump mob forced their way into the chamber. As this happened, Lankford was in the middle of challenging the certification of the Presidential election in Arizona, seeking to delegitimize the victory of President Biden. Courts had already thrown out allegations of fraud and irregularities and all 50 states’ election boards confirmed the election; despite this, Lankford and several other Republican senators cha
Criminal justice reform remains on legislative agenda
(Photo by Whitney Bryen/Oklahoma Watch)
State lawmakers have introduced several dozen bills that could change how law enforcement agencies, courts and corrections systems operate in Oklahoma. Here are a few of the most notable measures:
• Senate Bill 704, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, would prohibit courts from imposing sentence enhancements on certain offenders who have never been convicted of a violent felony. Under current state law, courts may impose tougher sentences on defendants who have prior felony convictions. As an example, a first conviction for second-degree burglary is punishable by zero to seven years in prison. A second offense currently could be punishable by two years to life in prison. If Senate Bill 704 is enacted, a person convicted of second-degree burglary could receive a maximum of seven years in prison regardless of any previous burglary conviction. SB 704 may sound similar to State Que
OKLAHOMA CITY — Concerns are mounting that Oklahoma’s state Capitol could become a COVID-19 superspreader site as the Legislature prepares to convene with no apparent mask enforcement for visitors or
14 Jan 2021
After a potential offense, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) has issued an apology to residents in north Oklahoma on Thursday after he questioned the 2020 presidential election results, according to
Tulsa World.
Addressed to “My friends in North Tulsa,” Lankford says his decision to question the results “caused a firestorm of suspicion among many of my friends, particularly in Black communities around the state. I was completely blindsided, but I also found a blind spot.”
According to the publication
Tulsa World, “Lankford has been more involved with Black Tulsans, and particularly the historic Greenwood District, than any statewide Republican officeholder in decades.”
Sen. James Lankford apologized to the Black community in a letter Thursday, saying his opposing the presidential election results in some states was interpreted as a "direct attack on their right to vote."