'This is the people's ground': Ties, electrical cord used to lock OSDE entrance

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Officials used ties and an extension cord to close off the front entrance to the Oklahoma State Department of Education on Wednesday.

The decision drew concern from residents who set up outside the entrance ahead of Thursday's State Board of Education meeting.

Those gathered on Wednesday asserted the ties around the entrance's door handles even presented a fire danger issue.

FOX 25 also obtained video of a worker removing a memorial set up for the late wife of Sean Cummings, vice mayor of The Village, from inside the entrance doors.

"We are going to stand in line as our right of citizens and taxpaying Oklahomans to speak at this meeting and to be present at this meeting," asserted Erica Watkins, regional director for Defense of Democracy.

She arrived at the department at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday for a meeting that starts at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Watkins shared that it's gotten harder to gain access to state board of education meetings and sign up for one of ten public comment slots.

"I believe we have a right as citizens to be anywhere we want to be on this ground... this is the people's ground," argued concerned resident Mike Howe.

Watkins accused the department of targeting members of the gender nonconforming community—and said she'd like to save a spot for someone who belongs to that group to address Oklahoma's top public education officials.

"We do want to have an ability... to speak as, you know, constituents and of parents that have kids in Oklahoma public school," added Watkins.

The concerned residents expressed concerns that the outside doors were blocking public access to the posted agenda on the interior set of doors—which they called an Open Meetings Act violation.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety informed FOX 25 that the Oliver Hodge Building, which houses OSDE, is classified as state park grounds. Therefore, members of the public have to vacate the property by 11 p.m. and can return at 6 a.m., according to DPS.

In the past, members of the public have camped overnight to reserve a space at state board meetings. The DPS spokeswoman said officials are now enforcing the overnight rule.