OCCC Removes Land Run Monument
Brand McConnell, The Oklahoman, January 27, 2021
Oklahoma City Community College has removed a controversial monument depicting the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 from its campus.
Formerly visible outside the campus’ main building, the concrete monument features settlers on horseback, in wagons and on bicycles racing to stake their land claims in the April 22, 1889, land run. The carved words on it read, “May the spirit of the pioneers always be with us.”
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{snip} Threats of violence and protests also were tied to the monument, according to school’s announcement.
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“We have always agreed with those who felt the monument was offensive and had no place on our campus,” said OCCC interim President Jeremy Thomas in a statement. “It does not accurately represent history, and it does not accurately reflect the respect, empathy and admiration we have for the true pioneers of this land: the indigenous people of this country. {snip}”
