It's a beautiful memorial set against the Tulsa skyline of an incredibly ugly chapter in the city's history. The Tulsa race riot of 1921. The sculpture, topped with progression towards reconciliation and moving forward.
"I'm not going backwards," said Tulsa city councilor Jack Henderson.
A concern brewing as some see a cloud of uncertainty gathering around a certain city department.
Are you saying without the human rights department, racism could get a hold on Tulsa? "Oh absolutely, and that's what this is about," he said.
At the council meeting, a dozen speakers expressing concern for the department's future as the director, Dr. Lana Turner Addison, remains on administrative leave, for reason's unknown.
"This is shameful, the leadership from mayor Bartlett to Mr. Twombly to everybody involved in this, this is shameful," said former Tulsa city councilor Joe Williams.
From councilor Ewing, a direct question to the city manager asking if changes were in the air?
"Is there some plan to do away with the human rights department?," he asked.
"There is absolutely no plan to dismantle the department, or bring forth ordinance amendments that would do away with the human rights commission," said Jim Twombly.
An on-the-record assurance that proponents of the department will hold tight.
"If we don't have a human rights department, and somebody that leads that department that's going to do the right thing, then let's bring slavery back," said Henderson.
