Local Tulsa legislator, Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, has publicly spoken out against the planned location of an imminent protest in opposition to Israel's policies in Gaza. Set for Sunday, August 3, 2025, the demonstration has been scheduled to take place across the street from Tulsa's Jewish Federation, which resides on a campus also housing a senior living facility, a school, a fitness center, and a museum, among other amenities. Dossett remarked that while assembly and protest are key elements of the American democratic process, the decision to hold it in proximity to the largest Jewish Community Center (JCC) in the state sends a troubling message.
In a statement obtained by the Oklahoma State Senate, Dossett said, "The right to assemble and protest, in this case Israeli treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, is a cornerstone of American freedom and democracy.” She added, however, “the choice to stage the protest across the street from the largest Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Oklahoma is an insult." Dossett continued to emphasize the historical significance of the JCC, which has been part of the Tulsa community since 1981, the very year of her birth, pointing out its role as a place of peace and inclusiveness.
The Charles Schusterman JCC, which shares its location with the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, indeed possesses a long-standing history as part of Tulsa’s social fabric. The Federation itself has roots that reach back to 1938, implying nearly a century of presence and contribution to the area's community dynamics. The protest's organizers appear to overlook this historical context, arguing their position against backdrop of a much younger, yet deeply entangled, conflict far removed from Tulsa's streets.
The upcoming protest is not without its supporters who argue the necessity to freely express solidarity with the Palestinian people. Nevertheless, Dossett's stance sheds light on the tightrope walked between exercising rights to free speech and being attuned to community sensibilities. "This weekend’s event organizers ignore the tremendous positive impact the JFT has had on our city since its inception in 1938, and the treasure that the JCC has been to Tulsa for nearly 44 years,” Dossett told the Oklahoma State Senate.
