Calls for a boycott over Tulsa's lack of a settlement with its black police officers

Several north Tulsa leaders want the mayor to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by black police officers. <br><br>Negotiations on a settlement broke down, and the case is likely to go to trial. News

Wednesday, August 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Several north Tulsa leaders want the mayor to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by black police officers.

Negotiations on a settlement broke down, and the case is likely to go to trial. News on Six reporter Emory Bryan has the story.

The representatives of black Tulsans say the black community supports the officers suing the department. Joe Williams, city councilor: "If the city lets this go to court it sends a message that we're not concerned about the African American community." Several ministers - citizens - and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit - said the outrage in the black community is building - and the only way to defuse it is for the mayor to settle the lawsuit - and prevent a trial.

Elwyne McFalls, North Tulsa Citizens Forum: "This city, we're in for some warmer days, we should not have to go through that. We're not looking at hate, but we're anxious to show how angry we are show he's treated us with the slap of a hand and that's what he's done to this community." Mayor Bill LaFortune "This lawsuit is something I inherited and I'm dealing with it."

Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune says the city wants to settle - but that calls for protests and boycotts won't help. â€œI think it's premature to say Bill LaFortune has betrayed or broken promises, we haven't reached the end of the game yet." The mayor says just because he didn't sign the settlement doesn't mean he wants the case to go to trial. He says negotiations are ongoing and could result in a better outcome for both the city and the black officers.

The lawsuit was filed more than eight years ago - and settled in the last hour of former Mayor Savage's administration. The settlement needed the signature of current Mayor Lafortune, but he wouldn't agree to the terms.

In a related note, Federal judge Sven Holmes has denied the Fraternal Order of Police's motion that he step aside from a class-action lawsuit filed against the city of Tulsa by black police officers.

The city felt Holmes should recuse himself because of his extensive involvement in the settlement and his alleged advocacy of a now-failed consent decree.