Oklahoma is no stranger to acts of terror that leave indelible scars on the community and forever shape the lives of its citizens, and state and federal leaders and grassroots organizers offered prayers and encouragement in the 48 hours after the coordinated attacks that left more than 100 dead in France.
Gov. Mary Fallin said in a brief statement on social media Friday evening her thoughts and prayers are with the people of France after the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation also offered condolences and prayers to the people of France. U.S. Sen. James Lankford said the weekend’s shootings and bombings were sadly reminiscent of the attack on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January. Oklahoma’s junior Republican Senator is the only member of both the Senate Select Intelligence Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He told MSNBC’s Morning Joe Monday that France and its allies are in a similar position the United States pre-9/11.
“Osama bin Laden had already declared war on the United States and the western world, and we were treating them very flippantly, saying they’re a small group way over there,” Lankford said. “It’s not an issue. When actually it’s very real. They’re at war with us; we better respond.”
Lankford said even though there are currently no credible terror threats in the United States, the FBI has investigations in all 50 states. A U.S. terror attack would not be without precedent.
“We saw in Garland, Texas just in May of this year where ISIS inspired individuals to leave Arizona and drive all the way to Garland and carry out an attack there. Because we were knowledgeable about it, we were able to confront them and they literally got out of the car, and we were able to respond to it immediately,” Lankford said. “In Boston, in June, we had individuals who were going out to attack police officers that were ISIS inspired. We’ve seen it multiple times.”
.@johnson_carrie reports that the US has no intelligence to lend credence to threats against the US made by ISIS. https://t.co/Km2rCz89AS
— NPR (@NPR) November 16, 2015
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe called what took place Friday an act of war, and said small-scale responses in the Middle East and a lack of an overall strategy is failing to defeat terrorist organizations like the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
“Unless the United States and our allies recognize this, we will all remain vulnerable to another 9/11 in the United States, another 7/7 in London, another 11/3 in Madrid or another 11/13 in Paris,” Inhofe said in a statement. “We must seize this wake-up call to assess and improve our intelligence collection capabilities with our partners and allies around the globe. The United States must also stop retreating from its global responsibility to lead, which has created a vacuum that has been filled by the likes of ISIS and others.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole said Americans are too familiar with the shock, horror, and permanent scars caused by terrorism. Rep. Steve Russell said the U.S. and its allies must be vigilant against those who want to commit acts of terror.
Congressman Jim Bridenstinesaid the U.S. would stand in solidarity with America's oldest ally, and Rep. Markwayne Mullin called the attackers cowards who preyed on unarmed, innocent victims.
One state lawmaker is calling for a more aggressive response.
State Rep. John Bennett(R-Sallisaw) wants Fallin to stop the state's efforts resettle Syrian refugees in Oklahoma in light of Friday's events.
A graphic published by The New York Times last month shows anywhere between 10 and 50 Syrian refugees have settled in Jenks between 2012 and 2015.
“When I contacted the Jenks Police Department about this issue, they advised that the New York Times' article was the first time anyone in their office knew about these resettlements,” Bennett said in an email late Sunday night. “The states of Michigan and Alabama have suspended their relocation efforts until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can perform a top-down review of security clearances and procedures to ensure that those who are entering our country as refugees are not a threat to our safety.”
Bennett said he wants Fallin to immediately suspend any current plans to relocate Syrian refugees in Oklahoma, and to identify everyone in the state who has arrived under the relocation program since 2012. Bennett has made several statements in the past that have drawn the fire of Muslims and other civil rights groups.
The U.S. has officially accepted less than 1,900 Syrian refugees since the civil war began.
Grassroots Rallies, Candlelight Vigils
The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations held an interfaith prayer vigil Sunday night for the victims, families, and communities affected by the terrorist attack in Paris.
CAIR-OK's executive director Adam Soltani called the victims "brothers and sisters in humanity," and said in a statement the group hopes coming together will prevent extremist groups from dividing the community.
The University of Oklahoma community held a rally in support of the victims Monday morning on the campus’ South Oval
Organizer Emmanuelle Chiocca the group wants to make sure people don't associate these attacks with immigration, or the refugees fleeing Syria's civil war.
At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday there will be a candlelight vigil and memorial service at the Oklahoma City National Memorial in downtown. That event is being organized by the Holocause Remembrance and Restitution Foundation. Organizers say it will include speeches from state and local political leaders.
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