FOI Oklahoma holds First Amendment Summit to identify threats to constitutional freedoms and explore solutions

Freedom of Information Oklahoma invited community leaders in the state to discuss threats to First Amendment freedoms at a summit in Oklahoma City. More than 25 journalists, educators, scholars, attorneys and open government advocates attended the event March 25. The nonprofit hopes to use ideas from the summit to identify common goals and form a new coalition of community groups dedicated to protecting the right to free expression in Oklahoma. 

Moderator Danielle Ezell separated participants into small-group discussions about threats and actions related to freedoms guaranteed under the First Amendment including religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. Each group brainstormed local threats and various counterstrategies. 

“While we came together because of the threats we see to our democracy, we left with actions we can put in place to protect and promote our fundamental freedoms that come from the First Amendment,” said Kurt Gwartney, executive director of FOI Oklahoma.

Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide organization that promotes open and transparent government in Oklahoma.  

Four main areas of action were identified:

  • Conduct media literacy and civics education for all ages, not just school-aged children.

  • More enforcement of open records and open meetings laws, including through education campaigns, lawsuits and pushing for more prosecutorial action.

  • Efforts to improve the ballot initiative process in Oklahoma, including reducing barriers and creating more resources to help groups navigate the requirements.

  • Building coalitions and developing better rapport with lawmakers by educating the public on how to effectively engage with them.


Participants also prioritized areas to develop in defense of the First Amendment in Oklahoma including: 

  • Create educational materials and checklists to help the public and media understand their rights and how to pursue violations of open records and meetings laws.

  • Explore ways to increase accountability for officials who violate these laws, such as through fines or jail time.

  • Push for candidates and officials to commit to upholding open government principles and holding them to it once they are in office.

  • Develop citizen assemblies and other forums to bring diverse stakeholders together to engage with lawmakers.

MEDIA CONTACT

Kurt Gwartney

Executive Director FOI Oklahoma 

director@foioklahoma.org

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