OKC police to increase security Sunday at shootings protest

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A group protesting recent killings in Louisiana and Minnesota is working with Oklahoma City police to ensure its planned protest this weekend is safe for civilians and officers.

Police Chief Bill Citty on Friday said the Oklahoma City Police Department plans to increase security at Sunday's event in the city's Bricktown district. Police have received no threats and are not concerned about protesters, Citty said, but are mindful of potential copycat crimes inspired by the shooting of 12 officers at a similar protest in Dallas late Thursday.

"Our officers are going to be much more concerned — and rightfully so — about being targeted," Citty told reporters Friday. "You always worry about somebody that copies something like this. And we hope that doesn't happen, but we certainly have to be concerned about it."

The Rev. T. Sheri Dickerson, one of the protest organizers, said police have been advising her group on safe practices, including reporting suspicious activity to officers on scene. She said members of her group were horrified to learn of Thursday's shooting, and said the group's focus is on bringing attention instead to specific cases of police brutality.

A police officer stands nearby as protesters march NY. Photo by Andres Kudacki.

"We immediately knew that this was not the action of anyone associated with 'Black Lives Matter' on a local or a national level," Dickerson said of Thursday's attack. "And so we were determined to not be deterred by fear. It made us even more encouraged in continuing with the event."

David Slane, an attorney for Black Lives Matter OKC, said the group has protested peacefully in the city before. Slane said he spoke with Citty on Friday and the group is cooperating with police to maintain a safe environment.

DANIEL C. HOUSTON, Associated Press

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The Gayly - 7/9/2016 @ 7:50 a.m. CDT.