This letter is by Christopher Johnston, a army veteran and activist in Oklahoma County.
Pricey Jail Belief members,
We — to incorporate all of the courageous activists in Oklahoma — have an odd working relationship with you The Oklahoma Prison Justice Authority. As acknowledged within the final Jail Belief Assembly “I hope that this new period of management is productive”.
We preserve coming again, not like these white nationalists who got here to only some conferences then vanished. We danger all the pieces to incorporate our lives for god and nation. I hope that’s one thing you’ll be able to respect now shifting ahead. We’re, what I consider, the very best of Oklahoma and our lovely nation as a result of we’ve got a way of obligation. Responsibility to a better calling is one thing I do know too effectively.
After I was 17, I made a decision to signal a contract with America Military stating I’ll be part of this system known as ” The Delayed Entry Program” which states that as quickly as I graduate highschool and switch 18, I’ll enlist within the Military. June of 2004, I raised my proper hand and swore an oath to my nation to guard her in opposition to all enemies international and home. Earlier than I might legally drink, I served in my first warfare with 3 deployments complete all through my army profession.
I’ve misplaced folks I cared for within the service of my nation. I selected to lift my daughter and go away honorably, however my service didn’t cease there.
I now battle this warfare in opposition to injustice in our streets and serve with those that took that oath to serve within the streets with me. I’m uninterested in the violence. Most of my life has been violent. Violence is also public coverage that hurts folks.
It isn’t out of the kindness of individuals’s hearts as to why issues at the moment are being rotated on the jail. It’s as a result of we compelled you to reckon with it.
We returned $25 million of CARES Act cash to the folks it was meant for as effectively. You all didn’t do this for the heck of it. It’s as a result of we uncovered you.
Now that this ship is being run by another person, I hope we will keep away from the sins of the previous as a result of we need to collaborate with you and have numerous nice concepts in the event you would simply pay attention.
Honor our humanity as we honor yours. Conduct the folks’s enterprise legally and morally.
It thus far has not gotten off to begin in that you just all selected to restrict free speech. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin “He who provides up liberty for security doesn’t deserve both”. It’s a harmful recreation while you spit on democracy to acquire fascist order.
Individuals don’t get taught historical past precisely. Sure, Nazis are dangerous however your common American doesn’t know the a long time of chipping away of German democracy that led to that horrible time in our historical past. Actions like limiting speech are what ushers in evil like fascism.
There are such a lot of parallels to how conservatives do issues at present that the Nazis did and it’s terrifying. I have no idea if any of you had ancestors that fought the Nazis however I did and I’m glad to observe of their footsteps.
I hope that there’s some ethical compass left and also you all revoke that hypocritical measure which was limiting Public Remark. It isn’t American and a stain on the majesty of our democracy. I hope that’s the final undemocratic measure that will get pushed.
Bear in mind the pendulum of energy swings forwards and backwards. Our state just isn’t its personal nation and resides in America. And federal regulation is above state or county regulation. Our nation and state have gotten extra liberal and democratic.
Collectively, we’re extra educated than we was once. With training comes vital pondering and ushers within the willingness to hearken to new or totally different concepts.
Sometime I and others who’re behind the battle for prison justice reform can be elected into workplace. It could behoove yourselves to not be short-sighted and rule yourselves out of relevancy.
Do you need to be on the minority aspect asking us for favors? Suppose exterior of at present any further. It will not be tomorrow however the finish of conservative rule over Oklahoma is coming, as a result of, all issues come to an finish.
My willingness to collaborate very similar to everybody else’s just isn’t an invite to the notion that we’ve got forgotten the undemocratic and probably unlawful issues which have occurred.
The Ice vote handed and can come up sooner or later. To your sake don’t try and launder federal cash once more. It didn’t find yourself effectively for you all. Justice for the final time can be achieved for our recollections aren’t brief and our resilience is unyielding.
So, I say to you all, Godspeed on this journey shifting ahead as a result of reality and justice can be achieved it doesn’t matter what the price. Thanks for studying this.
With Hope,
Christopher Johnston
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Final Up to date Could 27, 2023, 12:23 PM by Brett Dickerson – Editor
The put up Open Letter to the Oklahoma County Prison Justice Authority (Jail Belief) appeared first on Oklahoma Metropolis Free Press.
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