Wednesday, Aug 19, two important meetings are scheduled in Oklahoma County. At 9 AM, the Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners meets for the final vote on distributing the majority of our CARES Act funds to the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority (aka Jail Trust).

There is still no reinstated procedure for public comments in these meetings. Email your county commissioner to demand those dollars go to the community rather than reinforcing the harms of our dangerous county jail.

At 3 PM, the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority is holding a special meeting for public comment. They're only allowing comment in person. People will be restricted to 3 minutes or less, based on their intention to adjourn by 4:50 PM. The relevant item is currently item 2.

Both meetings are scheduled to take place in person at 320 Robert S. Kerr Avenue, in room 204, and should be streamed online at the Oklahoma County YouTube page at https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCz_5jEcl6kV8f6Y71exwfJA

Your voice matters in this process. This transfer of funds to reinforce the carceral system does not serve the needs of our county or its residents. Ask your commissioner not to approve the transfer of funds.

And ask the appointed members of the jail trust to refuse that money, and focus their energy on reducing the number of people exposed to the virus by lowering the county jail population.

We'll work to elevate updates throughout the day, and you can also look to @OCIJustice, @OKC_SPAN, and @okprogressnow.