In a sign of growing consensus among city leaders in the United States, over two hundred mayors from varying political backgrounds have rallied behind Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt's initiative to quell the surging tides of political violence and inflammatory rhetoric. Mayor Holt's Oklahoma City Declaration, penned in September and now bearing the signatures of 230 mayors, was showcased at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum during the annual fall meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. According to the City of Oklahoma's website, these city leaders aim to set an example of de-escalation at a time ripe with political discord.
Gathered at a site that echoes the darkest consequences of political extremism, the Oklahoma City Declaration was brought to life. Having been authored and now championed by Mayor Holt, the declaration stands as a testament to the resilience of American democracy, praising it as "an outlier in human history", and a force for unprecedented "freedom, prosperity and innovation upon the entire world." Despite this robust endorsement of democracy's benefits, the document does not shy away from signaling the fragility of such an institution, requiring unyielding commitment to pluralism, compromise, and healthy debate.
The signatories of the declaration make a powerful commitment to uphold its tenets. They forcefully condemn violence and pledge to embrace civility. In a further push to foster a more congenial political landscape, they denounce dehumanizing language, refuse to demonize groups, and vow to eschew apocalyptic rhetoric. Abiding by these principles allows them to stand in solidarity, defending the truth, and celebrating restraint. Mayor Holt has been quoted on the city's official website, expressing optimism: "If everyone in American political life affirmed their commitment to the principles found in this Declaration, we would see a dramatic shift in this country overnight."
As part of their endorsed commitments, the mayors also underline a universal message of shared humanity, asserting "we are humans first, Americans second, and partisans last." It's a line that reflects not just a desired political ethos, but the notion that beyond the clamor of political allegiances lies a common ground we all tread upon.
