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Injunction filed against Tulsa DA claims he's interfering with DHS petition

da petition
Posted 12:02 AM, Dec 19, 2024
and last updated 12:15 AM, Dec 19, 2024

TULSA, Okla. — Advocates filed an injunction against Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunweiler in Tulsa County court.

This is after they said he had interfered with their efforts to gather signatures for a petition for a grand jury investigation into the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

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Rosario Chico, a parent among the group at the courthouse, said Kunweiler has even gone to signature events and discouraged people from putting their names down.

“It’s a crime to interfere, it’s a crime to intimidate," said Chico. "We’re hoping someone’s going to hold our district attorney accountable, because he’s getting in the way of an investigation and at this point we’re wondering why.”

They're hopeful with this injunction, the DA will leave the petition alone.

She and her team have less than a week to garner the 5,000 signatures needed to granted a grand jury investigation into DHS.

They've held events at places like coffee shops, tattoo parlors and restaurants to name a few.

rosario chico

But getting any opposition from a leader in the community like the DA, Chico said, is hurting their odds.

“We are just hoping and praying and manifesting, but we really need the public to step up, go to the signature locations and sign," said Chico.

Advocates have collected about half of the 5,000 signatures needed.

Chico is concerned they might not reach their goal in time, and blames Kunzweiler's interference if they don't.
“It’s a crime to interfere, it’s a crime to intimidate, and so we’re hoping someone’s going to hold our district attorney accountable, because he’s getting in the way of an investigation and at this point we’re wondering why," said Chico.

2 News reached out to the DA's office.

They said that is not what happened.

Instead, Kunzweiler said he attended a signature event that had little information to let people know what they were signing.

He sent us this statement:

I have no problem with anyone pursuing a grand jury as long as the legal process is followed. In fact, I have had the privilege of assisting in several grand jury matters over the course of my career. Oklahoma law is clear that any person requesting a signature to a grand jury petition may not misrepresent what the petition is seeking. Whenever I am made aware of efforts to misrepresent that process, as was the case here, I am duty bound to make sure the citizens of this community are informed of the law. It only makes common sense to read something before you sign it. I have not, nor would I encourage anyone to not sign a grand jury petition if they believed one should be empaneled. That is their right under Oklahoma law.

On the contrary, Chico said at each event, they encourage people to read the petition before they put their names behind it.

“We’re hoping we can overcome that because we want people to overcome that because we want people to stand up for children. We understand that it can be scary but children should go above anything, even fear.”

The deadline for signatures is Dec. 23.

Chico said she and her team won't stop until they bring change to the system.

For when and where to read or sign the petition, a full list can be found below.

  • Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge
    10 N. Greenwood Ave, S-101, Tulsa, OK
    Monday - Saturday 7 AM – 5 PM
  • Temple of Dance
    8224 E 41st St, Tulsa, OK
    Monday - Thursday 5:30 PM – 9 PM
  • Tally’s Good Food Café
    1102 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK
    Sunday - Saturday 6 AM – 11 PM
  • Tulsa County GOP Headquarters
    2816 E. 51st St, Ste. 100
    Tulsa, OK 74105
    Monday-Friday: 10AM-3:00PM
  • Tulsa Democratic Party
    3930 E. 31st St,
    Tulsa, OK 74135
    Monday-Friday: 10AM-2:00PM
  • Starbucks
    1881 s Yale Ave Tulsa 74112
    Monday - Friday 5:30AM-9:30PM
    Saturday - Sunday 9:30AM -7:00PM
  • Quickie Mart
    5310 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74105
    Monday - Saturday 10 AM – 8 PM
    Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
  • Cat & Dagger Tattoo
    3762 S Elm Pl, Broken Arrow, OK 74011
    Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM–6 PM
  • Black and Gold Tattoo
    3415 E 11th St, Tulsa, OK 74112
    Monday - Saturday 12:00PM-7:00PM


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