Senator Lankford Statement on Charlottesville

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) made the following statement on the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12: 

“I’m incredibly grieved by the violence and hate that took place in Virginia last weekend. The supremacy of any race over another is not only immoral, it’s contradictory to our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the fundamental idea of America. We fought and defeated the type of Nazism on display in Charlottesville; we cannot and must not ignore the white supremacy, Ku Klux Klan ideology, alt-right nationalism, hatred, and dissension that still lives in our culture today. As a nation, we must recommit to build respectful unity together and honor the human dignity of all people.

“In addition, our words must not create confusion. The supremacy of any race is abhorrent, unAmerican and should be condemned by everyone. Period.”

Senator Lankford posted his initital reaction to Charlottesville on his Facebook page. CLICK HERE to read that inititial statement. 

Racial reconciliation has been a priority for Senator Lankford. In March, Lankford discussed his Solution Sundays initiative and thoughts on race in America for a CNN special report. In July 2016, Lankford spoke on the Senate floor and wrote an op-ed about race-relations in America. In May 2016, he delivered a speech on the Senate floor to recognize the North Tulsa Race Riot’s 95th anniversary. In February, he launched the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Centennial Commission with State Senator Kevin Matthews, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, Oklahoma Historical Society Director Dr. Bob Blackburn, and others.

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