TULSA, Oklahoma – A letter from 79 Tulsa-area Democratic Party supporters drew on the state’s history and urged the state party to adopt language that would require a reversal of support for Israel’s war in Gaza.
The letter was sent as Tulsa County Democratic Party delegates, full of high hopes for this election season, headed to Chicago to attend the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago August 19-22.
For one thing, according to Chapter, there are two leading candidates in the race for Tulsa mayor on August 27. And at the national level, Vice President Kamala Harris is ahead in several presidential polls.
But there is also a vocal minority of voters who accuse the party of turning a blind eye to members of the Palestinian and Muslim communities during the war.
Amira Al-Jaboori
“We were in Oklahoma, where the Native Americans obviously experienced genocide and ethnic cleansing. And then we were also in Tulsa, where the largest national racial massacre took place,” Amira Al-Jaboori told 2 News on August 25.
Al-Jaboori said that within 48 hours, 77 more Tulsa voters from diverse backgrounds had registered.
“We’re trying to say this is a similar story,” she added. “We know what’s at stake and we don’t have to stand by and watch this happen with our tax dollars.”
“Many genocide researchers have raised the alarm,” said Pamela Olson. “And now, in my opinion, there is no longer any doubt. It is a genocide.”
Olson spent two years in Palestine as a journalist and writer and published her memoirs after returning to her hometown of Tulsa.
Olson said the past 10 months of Israeli bombings of the region – which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, adults and children – have been heartbreaking for her and other Oklahomans who normally vote Democratic.
“If the Democrats want to win, it just makes sense to stop supporting this horrific massacre,” Olson added.
TCDCP chairman Bruce Niemi, who returned from the national congress over the weekend, confirmed that he and the national party leadership had received and forwarded the letter.
“Congress passed a platform that included a Palestine point, which essentially calls for a ceasefire and a two-state solution in the future. Other than that, there was no demonstration,” Niemi told 2 News. “Actually, every demonstration was suppressed. And I found that unfortunate, but that’s just my personal opinion.”
This oppression, the two women argue, could lead to tens of thousands of Sooner State Muslims and Palestinian Americans refusing to vote even in local elections.
“We need more than words. We need actions,” Olson said.
“In the letter, we said, ‘Make us proud to vote Democrat. Please change the policy and make us proud to vote Democrat,'” Al-Jaboori said. “And yes, I believe that apathy could be a problem in the long run.”
Niemi expressed hope that the criticism that had led to major protests outside the DNC in Chicago could subside by November, at least at the local level.
“I hope we can resolve the issue before it gets out of control,” Niemi said.
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