Groups Show Support For Victims Of Ex-Police Officer's Accused Crimes

Two groups from the metro are showing their support for the alleged victims of a now-fired Oklahoma City police officer.

Daniel Holtzclaw is on trial, accused of sexually preying on women while on patrol. A church and an a local organization want to pack the courtroom.

11/6/2015 Related Story: Holtzclaw Trial Enters Day 5

A northeast Oklahoma City pastor and the organization, OKC Artists for Justice, are in the process of starting a movement.

They want people, specifically from the city's northeast side to get behind the ex-cop's accusers and show up in support during his trial.

“To look out and see a face that will sooth the spirit, a face that will let them know that there is somebody in this world that cares,” said Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., pastor of the East Sixth St. Christian Church.

Jackson is drumming up support. Thirteen alleged victims say Daniel Holtzclaw sexually assaulted them during a traffic stop.

All these women are black women and they were assaulted while in city's the northeast side, police said. 

“And it’s always been for us about the victims, about making sure that the survivors of these assaults have support, and they have a voice,” Grace Franklin said.

Franklin, co-founder of OKC Artists for Justice, has been vocal from the beginning.

“To abuse the authority the way that he did, it’s really repulsive and it’s scary,” Franklin said.

Holtzclaw faces a total of 36 felony counts, and prosecutors say the evidence will show Holtzclaw betrayed his badge and attacked the women, ranging from ages of 17 to 57. 

“When you are a public official, sworn to serve and protect, and you do that, it becomes not only a personal moral failure, it becomes a systemic failure,” Jackson said.

“We want all ages, all complexions, all socioeconomic levels to be there to say we don’t stand for it, and we support you,” Franklin said.

Support they say is critical from not only the east side community, but the city.

“To say you know what, we believe you, we are here, we see you as women, we see you as human beings, we see you as citizens of this city of this state.  

“We believe that we have a mandate Biblically to reach out and fight for those who may not be able to fight for themselves,” said Jackson.

In addition to showing a strong presence during the trial, Jackson said he has volunteered his churches’ parking lot to provide shuttle service for the victims and their families.