DAKOTA PAPAKEECHIE, A SCULPTURE TO COMMEMORATE PROTESTING SEGREGATION IS NOW IN PLACE HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY. YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT THERE. CLAIRE LUPER, MANY OTHERS MAKING THE CATS DRUG STORE SIT IN. IT’S NOW HERE IN OKC. IT’S A DREAM COME TRUE. MARILYN LUPER IS THE DAUGHTER OF CLARA LUPER, A HISTORICAL FIGURE IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY WHO LED PROTESTS AGAINST SEGREGATION IN THE 1950S. SEVERAL OKLAHOMANS CAME TO ROBINSON AND MAIN STREETS IN OKC TO DO JUST THAT. MARILYN, HER BROTHER CALVIN AND OTHERS ALL SITTING AT THE KATZ DINER COUNTER TOP. AND NOW MARILYN SEES HERSELF AND THE SCULPTURE DEPICTING THAT TIME. I FEEL GOOD ON THE INSIDE. THIS SCULPTURE IS MADE UP OF 8,000 POUNDS OF BRONZE, AND CREWS HERE NEEDED A CRANE TO GET IT OFF THE TRAILER AND INTO ITS FOREVER HOME. AND MARILYN, SEEING THIS SCULPTURE RIGHT WHERE HISTORY WAS MADE, BRINGS IT ALL BACK. IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES. AND IT FEELS GOOD BECAUSE I CAN SEE THE CHANGE IN THIS NATION. AND I JUST WISH THAT MY MOTHER COULD HAVE LIVED TO SEE THIS THING, BECAUSE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SO HAPPY. NOW, CLARA LUPER STATUE IS NOT HERE JUST YET. THEY ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE THAT DONE AND CONSTRUCTIO
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Oklahoma City has taken a significant step in commemorating the 1950s protests against segregation with the installation of a new sculpture depicting the historic sit-ins led by Clara Luper. Clara Luper was a historical figure in Oklahoma. Luper led protests against segregation at Robinson and Main streets in downtown Oklahoma City during the 1950s.Marilyn Luper, daughter of Clara Luper and a participant in the sit-ins, expressed her excitement about the sculpture’s completion.”This is a dream come true,” Marilyn said. Marilyn, her brother Calvin and others participated in the Katz Drug Store sit-ins, and now Marilyn sees herself depicted in the sculpture, which brings back memories of that time. “I feel good on the inside,” Marilyn said.The sculpture, made of 8,000 pounds of bronze, required a crane to be placed in its permanent location.”It brings back memories. It feels good because I can see the change in this nation,” Marilyn said. “I just wish that my mother could have lived to see this day because she would have been so happy.”Clara Luper’s statue is not yet in place, but it is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.
Oklahoma City has taken a significant step in commemorating the 1950s protests against segregation with the installation of a new sculpture depicting the historic sit-ins led by Clara Luper.
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Clara Luper was a historical figure in Oklahoma. Luper led protests against segregation at Robinson and Main streets in downtown Oklahoma City during the 1950s.
Marilyn Luper, daughter of Clara Luper and a participant in the sit-ins, expressed her excitement about the sculpture’s completion.
“This is a dream come true,” Marilyn said.
Marilyn, her brother Calvin and others participated in the Katz Drug Store sit-ins, and now Marilyn sees herself depicted in the sculpture, which brings back memories of that time.
“I feel good on the inside,” Marilyn said.
The sculpture, made of 8,000 pounds of bronze, required a crane to be placed in its permanent location.
“It brings back memories. It feels good because I can see the change in this nation,” Marilyn said. “I just wish that my mother could have lived to see this day because she would have been so happy.”
Clara Luper’s statue is not yet in place, but it is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.
