17-02-2025
Oklahomans rally in fourth major protest in three weeks at Capitol
A protest on a sunny and frigid Presidents Day drew hundreds of diverse voices to the Oklahoma Capitol on Monday.
Protesters held signs and chanted against recent federal and state government decisions.
It was the fourth major protest in three weeks on policy decisions, immigration, democracy and human rights — topics people said are keeping them concerned and paying attention.
The protest was organized by the local organizers of the 50501 Movement, Defense for Democracy, Political Revolution and Organizing Okies.
The protest came after Gov. Kevin Stitt over the weekend announced his plans to work with U.S. Homeland Security to deport undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, and after state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a news release supporting the plan.
More: 50501 Movement in Oklahoma: Hundreds protest Trump, Ryan Walters policies at Capitol
Many protesters said the state following in the federal government's footsteps does not match their idea of Oklahoma values.
Jenna Moore said she attended due to federal workers losing their jobs and the possibility of the state losing out on grant funding that helps many programs make change in Oklahoma.
'It just doesn't seem like democracy to me,' she said. 'Everything is comingled, and I'm not sure if that's recognized. Just because something has the word 'equity' in it, which is insane that that's something we're trying to eliminate, but that also affects our local economy and different priorities that probably both sides care about.'
Carrie Chlebanowski, a probationary federal employee who received an email that she was let go from a position she held for the last 15 months, said it was devastating, and she is angry and disappointed.
More: 'Immigrants drive growth': Restaurants, trade organizations support OKC immigrant workforce
After working in a federal position in a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she said there are ways the government could be more efficient, but letting people go like this is not efficient.
'This was a blanket dismissal of people who they recognize as having very limited appeal rights and protections because we're not considered full employees yet,' she said. The letter she received said the decision was based on her performance and it was no longer in the public's best interest for her to serve, but Chlebanowski said she received two awards for performance and being let go didn't add up.
For others, the protest questioned the constitutionality of recent government actions.
Maria Hayden, 43, her husband and their three kids attended the protest. She said she never thought she'd have her freedoms questioned as an African American, or have her rights doubled back in regard to diversity, equity and inclusion.
'The loss of constitutional understanding, that's what's scary,' she said. 'I don't feel like it's the end, but it's a process that we'll have to get through together.'
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David Hays, 59, said he attended the protest for many reasons, including his daughter, who is a teacher, and the people he works with in the restaurant industry. He said he was also standing up for himself.
'I'm gay and most of my life, it's been illegal to be me, and I'm not going back in the closet. I've got to stand up,' he said. 'There's just so much hatred and fear in our society right now.'
Donna Compton, 78, said she fought against some of the same issues 40 years ago. She has friends who are transgender and friends who are Hispanic and said they feel threatened.
'I don't think we have any choice but to be paying attention to it,' she said.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC protests today draw crowds against Trump, Elon Musk
