Rev. Jesse Jackson Calls for Congressional Investigation into OKCPD

Reverend Jesse Jackson says a congressional investigation is needed to get to the bottom of problems he’s identified in law enforcement cases involving minorities in Oklahoma.  Rev. Jackson’s call came amid a rally in support of a man who died in police custody.

“We’ve talked with other families since that time and looking over a three year history there is a pattern of abuse,” Reverend Jackson said during an interview with Fox 25.

Rev. Jackson says his Rainbow Push Coalition has monitored several cases and fought for civil rights for minorities in several states including Oklahoma. 
“We are too great a nation not to learn to live together we've learned to survive apart, we must now learn to live together.” 

Rev. Jackson said the minority community often makes up a majority of the jail and prison populations.  “There is this pattern of the race poisoning the purity of our justice system so blacks are disproportionately represented in profiling arrests and convictions.” Rev. Jackson said, “Oftentimes time and crime don't correspond.”

The latest case to bring Rev. Jackson to Oklahoma is that of Robin Howard, a man who died after being arrested by police following a pursuit.  Police have apologized for the way the case was handled, but deny officers broke the law in the use of force.  Howard’s family wants all the records relating to the investigation released.  Rev. Jackson says police need to release the records to avoid the appearance of a cover up, an allegation police strongly deny. 

Rev. Jackson says the public needs to know that the minority community is still struggling for equality, not just in Oklahoma, but across the nation.  “When it comes to playing ball when it comes to filling up the stadium as a thunder or as a sooner, then we are on display, but once we leave entertaining we are in pain.”

The police have apologized for the way the Howard case was handled and deny any racial motivation for the case.  Police supporters say it was unfortunate a life was lost, but the investigation was handled appropriately.  Still Rev. Jackson and his supporters say they want more records to answer the lingering questions they have about what happened to Howard.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Calls for Congressional Investigation into OKCPD

Posted: Tuesday, March 19 2013, 09:57 PM CDT