As the Tulsa City Council was meeting inside, protesters were outside of Tulsa's City Hall last night. The protesters are calling for the city to form an African-American Commission.
Tulsa has a Hispanic Commission, Indian Affairs Commission and a Status of Women Commission, but nothing representing the Black population. African-Americans make up 15.6% of Tulsa's population. Hispanics count for 14.1% and those claiming to be Native American are only 5.3% of Tulsa's population.
Unsuccessful City Council Candidate Vanessa Hall-Harper has called for the formation of such a committee. Mayor Bartlett is said to be working on a draft ordinance to create a joint-city county commission. All of the details are still being worked out, but , City Spokeswoman Michelle Allen says as it stands now the commission would have 7 individuals appointed by the mayor and 4 would be appointed by the county.