Oklahoma City Councilman Says There's 'no Divide' After Sweeping Victory In Ward 7

By William Crum Staff Writer wcrum@oklahoman.comWas Tuesday's city council election in northeast Oklahoma City's Ward 7 a referendum on Black Lives Matter? It seemed possible when Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City co-founder T. Sheri Dickerson filed to challenge Councilman John Pettis. But Pettis has been an advocate for social, economic and environmental justice. He spoke out forcefully during the trial of former police officer Daniel Ken Holtzclaw, who was accused of sexually assaulting black women while on duty. Pettis has forged alliances with young activists including Dickerson and Grace Franklin of OKC Artists for Justice, who have raised concerns about police-community relations. Pettis and Dickerson appeared together with the police chief and police union leaders at a news conference to announce the agreement that returned body-worn cameras to the streets. And Pettis coordinated a meeting among City Hall leaders and activists last year amid concerns about shootings of black men by police and shootings of police officers that rocked other cities. "There is no divide," Pettis said after the election.Read more on NewsOK.com