Chickasaw Nation office defaced by 'hateful and racist' vandalism

Thursday, March 28, 2019  

By Acee Agoyo in Washington, D.C., and Todd York in Oklahoma

Native politicians and officials in Oklahoma joined forces in condemning hate and racism after a Chickasaw Nation office in the state was vandalized with the words "Indians will be gassed" and "Savages."

The graffiti was discovered at one of the tribe's offices in Oklahoma City on Thursday morning. The hateful words were accompanied by the initials "HH" -- presumably meaning "Heil, Hitler" -- and similar messages were discovered at a state Democratic party office about two miles away.

“I am appalled by these destructive acts of hate, and I strongly condemn both counts which took place today,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) said in a statement later in the day. “As a member of the Chickasaw Nation, I am absolutely disgusted by the racist vandalism on my tribe’s Oklahoma City headquarters."

"I was also sickened by the incident at the Oklahoma Democratic Party headquarters," Cole added. "There is no place in our communities for such despicable symbols and language so clearly meant to threaten other human beings and those with differing points of view. In the days ahead, I have every confidence in our law enforcement to investigate and ensure justice is served."

Part of the #racist graffiti at the #Chickasaw Nation #OKC office today. In addition to "#Indians will be gassed" there was an HH for Heil Hitler and the word "Savages". #OklahomaCity #ChickasawNation #indigenous #native #NativeAmerican #NativeTwitter #racism #WhiteSupremacy pic.twitter.com/BxtFZaJzXZ

— Frances Danger (@FrancesMFDanger) March 28, 2019

Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, joined Cole in condemning the "hateful and racist vandalism" in their state. The lawmakers are two of the four tribal citizens who serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“There is no place in this country for hate,” said Mullin. “I am saddened to see such hate take place in the great state of Oklahoma. These actions at both the Oklahoma Democratic Party headquarters and the Chickasaw Nation Area Office are disgusting and will never be tolerated.”

As Cole and Mullin spoke from Washington, D.C., the Oklahoma City Police Department released images of a person wanted in connection with the incidents. Though blurry, the photos show a swastika and another symbol of White supremacy being spray-painted on a door of the tribal office, located in the 4000 block of N. Lincoln Blvd.

The images also show a vehicle the authorities believe is tied to the vandalism. The photos appear to indicate that the offices were targeted sometime overnight.

"The Chickasaw Nation is assisting local, state and federal authorities in the investigation," Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said in a statement.

“It is very disheartening to see our building defaced by this type of hateful message which is so out of place for Oklahoma,” Anoatubby said.

He added: “We believe it is important to move past this isolated incident and focus our attention on the important work we do.”

With the incidents under close investigation, Mayor David Holt (R) said he was briefed about the racist graffiti after it was discovered by police in the morning. Initially, he was told a former office of the Oklahoma Democratic party was targeted -- later he found out it was the Chickasaw Nation's building, in addition to the current state party office.

"One bigot with a spray paint can or even a group of bigots do not speak for the hundreds of thousands in this city who stand strongly together against hate & bigotry," Holt wrote in a post on social media. The mayor is a citizen of the Osage Nation and is the first Native American in Oklahoma City's highest office.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), a citizen of the Cherokee Nation who took office in January, also condemned the actions. He is the first Native American in the state's highest office.

" It does not reflect who we are as a state," Stitt said in a post on social media.

The vandalism at the Oklahoma Democratic office appeared to be far more extensive than that seen at the Chickasaw Nation's building. Photos shared by the party show similar messages of hate and White supremacy spray painted on sidewalks and doors, though none directed at Native peoples.

A manifesto of sorts, labeled "Trump Pence Hitler 2020" and featuring a defaced photo of former president Barack Obama, also was left at the scene.

"The Oklahoma Democratic Party is devastated by the recent hate crime attack at our Headquarters this morning," a statement read, with volunteers later coming together to help clean up the property. "We appreciate the outpouring of support for this cowardly act as the community comes together to denounce hate and bigotry."

Chickasaw Nation headquarters are located in in Ada, about 87 miles southeast of the Oklahoma City office. The office there provides health care, domestic violence services, burial assistance and other program to tribal citizens who live in Oklahoma's most populous city, which also serves as the state capital.

The tribe maintains a prominent presence in Oklahoma City, including a community center and senior center in another part of town. Those two facilities were just dedicated last August.

“This is an important milestone for the Chickasaw Nation and for Oklahoma City. It marks the first time we have built these types of facilities outside of the Chickasaw Nation jurisdictional boundary and is another step in our journey to better serve all Chickasaws regardless of where they live," Gov. Anoatubby said at the time.

Additionally, the tribe operates Exhibit C, a Native art gallery, in the Bricktown area of the city. A plaza featuring a Chickasaw warrior statue and plaques describing Chickasaw history and culture is also located in Bricktown.

The tribe entered into a naming rights deal for the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, home to the Oklahoma City RedHawks, a minor league baseball team. The tribe owns Remington Park, a commercial racetrack in Oklahoma, and operates the Newcastle Casino just outside of the city.

The tribe is also a major benefactor of the American Indian Cultural Center & Museum in Oklahoma City, where construction has finally resumed, The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune reported last month. The center has been long delayed and beset by state funding woes. Mayor Holt took a tour of the grounds on Thursday.

What is now up at the #OKC Democratic Headquarters, replacing the #racist #hate from earlier today. #OklahomaCity #lovewillprevail pic.twitter.com/xJ8NH5azeY

— Frances Danger (@FrancesMFDanger) March 28, 2019