WE JUST GOT SOME BREAKING NEWS IN FROM GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT EVAN: RIGHT. GOVERNORS AUTHORIZING -- THE GOVERNOR IS AUTHORIZING STATE TROOPERS AND THE NATIONAL GUARD TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES. WE JUST GOT THIS STATEMENT IN. IN PART HE SAYS AT THE REQUEST OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL AND NATIONAL GUARD HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AS NEEDED. VIOLENCE AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY GOES AGAINST THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD SATURDAY NIGHT SAW ISSUES WI VIOLENCE AND PROTESTORS EVEN TRYING TO BREACH THE JAIL AT ONE POINT. THEY THREW BRICKS AND EVEN SET A JAIL TRANSPORT VAN ON FIRE. BUT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS SUNDAY THEY REGROUPE AND REORGANIZED. THEY WORKED THEY WORKED -- THEY WORKED WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ACHIEVE A MUCH BETTER RESULT. >> WE WANT TO BE A COMMUNITY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND LISTEN AND THAT’S WHAT OUR DEPUTIE WERE DOING SUNDAY NIGHT. THEY WERE ABLE TO COME OUT HERE MEET WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE PROTESTI PEACEFULLY AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT. WE WANT TO BE HEARD. -- THEY WANT TO BE HE
Oklahoma National Guard authorized to provide support in response to violent protests, Stitt says
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Updated: 7:05 PM CDT Jun 1, 2020
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday that the Oklahoma National Guard and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol have been authorized to provide support as needed after protests over the weekend in downtown Oklahoma City turned violent and destructive.“Yesterday’s demonstrations contained many powerful moments of Oklahomans coming together to make their voices heard and express their First Amendment rights safely,” Stitt said in a news release. “As many of the leaders of yesterday’s events have echoed, things started to change after the organized demonstration ended. I will continue to stand with Oklahomans who choose to peacefully demonstrate, but we cannot stand for violence or damage to property.“At the request of local communities, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the National Guard have been authorized to provide support as needed. These hardworking Oklahomans are our friends and neighbors who step up in times of need, including to protect peaceful demonstrators. Violence and damage to property goes against the Oklahoma Standard and is a distraction designed to keep us from uniting together to change for the better.”The authorization comes after two days of demonstrations near the Oklahoma City Police Department’s headquarters escalated. Police officers deployed tear gas and pepper bullets at protesters after they said people started throwing objects, including rocks and fireworks, at officers.Oklahoma City police officials said 36 people were arrested over the weekend in connection with the protests.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday that the Oklahoma National Guard and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol have been authorized to provide support as needed after protests over the weekend in downtown Oklahoma City turned violent and destructive.
“Yesterday’s demonstrations contained many powerful moments of Oklahomans coming together to make their voices heard and express their First Amendment rights safely,” Stitt said in a news release. “As many of the leaders of yesterday’s events have echoed, things started to change after the organized demonstration ended. I will continue to stand with Oklahomans who choose to peacefully demonstrate, but we cannot stand for violence or damage to property.
“At the request of local communities, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the National Guard have been authorized to provide support as needed. These hardworking Oklahomans are our friends and neighbors who step up in times of need, including to protect peaceful demonstrators. Violence and damage to property goes against the Oklahoma Standard and is a distraction designed to keep us from uniting together to change for the better.”
The authorization comes after two days of demonstrations near the Oklahoma City Police Department’s headquarters escalated. Police officers deployed tear gas and pepper bullets at protesters after they said people started throwing objects, including rocks and fireworks, at officers.
Oklahoma City police officials said 36 people were arrested over the weekend in connection with the protests.
