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| Oklahoma Black Lives Matter Director T. Sheri Dickerson looks at racist, antisemitic and transphobic symbols and language spray-painted on the building that houses the offices of Oklahoma Democratic Party in Oklahoma City on Thursday. Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman |
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Buildings in Oklahoma office vandalized by American Nazis
Tulsa World
March 29, 2019
Area: Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY - The buildings housing the Oklahoma Democratic Party and a Chickasaw Nation office in Oklahoma City were vandalized overnight with hate-filled graffiti that was discovered Thursday morning.
Former Gov. David Walters and his wife, Rhonda Walters, own the building at 3700 N. Classen Blvd. that houses the state Democratic Party office and several other tenants.
A vandal spray-painted racist, anti-Semitic and transphobic remarks on the buildings and sidewalks outside them.
One message read "Gas the Jews." Another said "White planet only. Gas the rest." Another listed Democrats and derogatory words for African-Americans and transgender people.
A swastika was painted on the buildings' entrances and a manifesto was pasted to the front of Democratic Headquarters building.
Walters said a maintenance worker notified him about the vandalism early Thursday morning.
"I am just horrified," Walters said.
He said it is sad that the nation's culture has become so divisive that actions such as this are becoming more prevalent.
The Oklahoma City office building for the Chickasaw Nation, at 4001 N. Lincoln Blvd., was also vandalized. The facility is across the street from the former headquarters of the Oklahoma Democratic Party.
Oklahoma City Police Capt. Bo Mathews said the graffiti at the Lincoln Boulevard building was similar to the language and symbols used at the Classen Boulevard building and was in the same color of paint.
"It is very disheartening to see our building defaced by this type of hateful message which is so out of place for Oklahoma," said Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation, based in Ada. "We believe it is important to move past this isolated incident and focus our attention on the important work we do."
Mathews said the vandalism is being investigated as a hate crime. He said security cameras at the Lincoln Boulevard building captured images of a person of interest. That person appears to be female, he said.
Police released photos of the woman from the surveillance video and asked for the public's help in identifying her. Anyone with information can submit it anonymously through Oklahoma City Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300 or online at okccrimetips.com.
The vandalism was met with broad condemnation.
Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt called the hate language 'abhorrent.'
"It does not reflect who we are as a state," Stitt said.
But Allie Shinn, executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, an Oklahoma City-based group that advocates on behalf of LGBTQ Oklahomans, said that "we are not surprised. We are grateful governor immediately made a statement, ... but it is not entirely accurate to say this isn't reflective of Oklahoma.
"In marginalized communities, this is the sort of thing that is encountered all the time. We hope for an Oklahoma that is inclusive and that welcomes all people, but we simply are not there today."
Anna Langthron, chairwoman and executive director of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said the incident has created anxiety for people in the communities that were targeted.
She said her office gets calls about once or twice a week from people who are emotional but not threatening. It is usually over policy issues, she said.
"It hurts," said T. Sheri Dickerson, executive director of Black Lives Matter OKC. "It can be quite weary. I stay encouraged by those who offer support and love."
Speaking for himself only, Dan Kaiman, rabbi at Congregation Binai Emunah in Tulsa, said: "Acts of vandalism and words of hate shake my sense of security and comfort. Yet in moments like this, I am heartened by images of good people coming together to clean sidewalks and repair buildings."
By midafternoon, volunteers had removed much of the graffiti.
Kaiman said that "Jewish tradition values diversity and respect for all. I continue to be hopeful that our world will bend towards justice and inclusivity."
The Islamic Society of Tulsa issued a statement condemning the incident, pointing out that the graffiti targeted a wide range of communities.
"The frequent incidents of hate crimes and mass shootings should not make us numb," the Islamic Society's statement says. "We must reject hate in all forms against the OTHER in the strongest possible words and actions."
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt posted a statement on social media, saying: "One bigot with a spray paint can or even a group of bigots do not speak for the hundreds of thousands in this city who stand strongly together against hate and bigotry. Let's love each other just a little bit more today."
Congressmen Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin, who are tribal members, issued statements expressing disgust at the vandalism at both locations. Each said there was "no place" for hate and "such despicable symbols and language."
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