Community Activists Want Focus On North Tulsa

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A small group of North Tulsa community activists say they want more action and they want it both from government and from black citizens.

Twan Jones says he represents a small group with a new attitude about politics and North Tulsa.

"It is necessary that blacks make their presence felt in this election to make sure that business as usual will not continue to the detriment of North Tulsa residents," said Twan Jones, community activist.

Jones, along with Ruford Henderson and Joyce Rogers, say they want North Tulsa's residents to start standing up for themselves.

"All these disparities are taking place while the leadership continues to say that they're doing right by our community. It is time for our community to make decisions for ourselves," said Ruford Henderson, of Tulsa.

The group is frustrated because tax money going into the ball park project could have been invested in North Tulsa. They see stimulus money for the IDL, but don't believe the stimulus has helped their neighborhoods.

"We're not begging, we're asking for what's rightfully ours," said Joyce Rogers, of Tulsa.

Jones says traditional civic rights groups aren't doing enough for North Tulsans and he intends to help change that.

Jones says he wants people to be more politically alert, especially as they vote in the upcoming city elections.