Race relations
In an effort to improve communications between city officials and members of the community, Lawton Mayor Stan Booker hosted a Monday meeting at City Hall with various city officials and community leaders to create a Commission on Race Relations.
“We have to create a platform for a continual conversation,” said the mayor. During the meeting, the group revisited a proposal of a Citizens Advisory Board that was tabled in October 2017.
Ward 7 Councilwoman Onreka Johnson stated, “This has been a year in the making but we are ready to move forward.”
“We looked at methods that matched our city,” said Jacobi Crowley, community activist. “Our biggest focus was to make sure this was going to be a fitting method. We also wanted to present this in a professional manner.”
Referring to the peace rally held Sunday afternoon, Joan Peters, Lawton resident stated, “In the words of Jacobi [Crowley], ‘The time is NOW!’ From what I saw yesterday, people are interested in change; they showed up!”