Muslim Advocacy Group Denied Participation In Tulsa Veterans Parade

An Oklahoma Muslim group says its application to participate in this year's Veterans Day Parade in Tulsa has been denied. 

Adam Soltani, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Oklahoma [CAIR-Oklahoma], tells News On 6 the group's request to have a float in the 97th annual parade on Friday was denied by the parade organizers.

In 2015, Soltani says there were no rules on participation.  This year, however, he says the Greater Tulsa Veterans Organizations Association approved rules barring religious or advocacy groups from taking part.

Soltani says CAIR-Oklahoma is neither and feels targeted. 

In 2015, the annual event in downtown Tulsa attracted thousands of spectators and also caused some controversy when CAIR-Oklahoma entered a float in the parade.

10/15/2015 Related Story: Tulsa Veterans Day Parade Attracts Spectators, Controversy

The Muslim non-profit group say like last year, they wanted to celebrate all veterans who have served America.

In 2015, some said CAIR-Oklahoma’s participation was inappropriate and even disrespectful.

Last year, parade organizers asked CAIR-Oklahoma to remove a signs from the group's float, but they refused, citing their First Amendment right.

In 2015, Soltani said, "Why are you letting the bullies win? If we take the signs down, we're letting the bigots and the hateful people win today."

In the end, CAIR-Oklahoma was allowed to keep their signs after publicly denouncing terrorism.

Adam Soltani says this year, their group doesn't want to make a big deal about the denial because the focus should be on the veterans.