Tulsa MLK Parade Report

Written by: Judy Ramsey on Jan 22, 2008 10:31 AM EST

It was a cold and rainy day in North Tulsa, but eight brave souls dedicated to peace and justice marched with the Tulsa County Democrats, in support of Dennis Kucinich, candidate for President in 2008.  We stood in the freezing rain for hours, waiting to march through the parade route, to the people.  Bea handed out fliers while we carried balloons and banners in the name of Dennis, and Peace.  Tony carried the Tulsa Peace Fellowship Banner and everyone wore Kucinich t-shirts.  Jean wore her Kucinich t-shirt over her polar bear costume and received the most press coverage of us all!  Of course, Mark and I carried the “Impeach for Peace” sign, which got some attention from the crowd, but was edited out by the local TV station covering the parade, while claiming to have filmed the parade in its entirety. So, this is what our country has become.  The corporate media is trying to tell us not only what to buy, but who to vote for, leaving the only man who can run on his record out of the debate.  They limit the discussion in this country to what they can control; no discussion of peace, impeachment or not-for-profit healthcare.  No discussing the current frontrunners records on the war, the environment or civil liberties.   As Dr. King famously said, there comes a time when silence is betrayal.  Time to Wake up and work it out, the theme of yesterday’s parade.  The media is betraying us; betraying America and betraying democracy.   Let your voice be heard.  Write letters to the editor and tell them, you want to be kept informed, not just hear whatever fits with their agenda.  Contact your government representatives.  Ask for the public airwaves to be returned to the people.  But most of all, vote, this February 5th, for the only man who will truly give you your country back, Dennis Kucinich, the US Congressman from Ohio. For me, Glen Ford of Black Agenda radio said it best: “The only candidate who would pass the Martin Luther King Test is Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, whose platform for peace, truly universal health care, a living wage, and an end to corporate domination of American life harkens back to that "shining moment" in the Sixties that King mentioned, when there were "hopes" and "new beginnings." But the corporate media has caused the Kucinich campaign to disappear from coverage and televised debate.”

“Lyndon Johnson finally failed the Martin Luther King Test, in Vietnam. Obama and Clinton have already failed the test, through their own policy proposals. Neither has earned the right to speak of Dr. King's legacy.”      

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Location: Tulsa, OK 74129