Oklahoma County commissioners spike free-speech resolution

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma County Commissioners on Friday rejected a resolution proposed to restrict free-speech and protest activities on certain county property.

The three-member commission unanimously voted down the proposal at a boisterous meeting at which several citizens directed sharp criticism toward Commissioners Kevin Calvey and Brian Maughan.

The proposal to restrict free-speech activities came after several protests held outside county buildings, including the Oklahoma County Jail.

After the vote, several protesters in the audience began singing, dancing and chanting.

The panel also voted Friday to allocate $8 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to the county’s jail, sheriff’s office and Juvenile Bureau. Calvey requested $3 million in “hero pay” for jail employees who needed to respond to COVID-19-related conditions, $3 million to fund jail plumbing and air handling system improvements, and $1 million for Juvenile Bureau workers. Sheriff P.D. Taylor requested an additional $1 million to help pay sheriff’s office employees for the response to COVID-19 conditions.