The ACLU of Oklahoma and other civic organizations are troubled by Representative Sally Kern’s “Oklahoma Citizen’s Proclamation for Morality,” which will be signed by Kern and others in a public ceremony to be held at noon July 2, on the first floor of the State Capitol. Kern has issued a divisive and inaccurate proclamation. The proclamation blames the economic downturn we are currently experiencing on abortion, pornography, divorce, and same sex marriage, among other things. Kern does not mention the greed of Wall Street elitists or the inability of our government to effectively regulate questionable financial practices that might be the true cause of our nation’s economic difficulties. Her proclamation is silent to meaningful solutions to address the very issues she blames for the “downturn of morality.” Kern’s proclamation, which amounts to a hate-filled diatribe, is full of inaccuracies. This proclamation alienates thousands of Oklahomans who are adherents to minority faiths or who practice no faith. It is unfortunate that she and others would promote such a divisive manifesto at a time when Oklahomans need to pull together to weather this current crisis.

Oklahoma is home to a diverse community, which should be respected and effectively represented. We are asking all More >