1. We call on the IRS to revoke the 501c3 tax exempt status of Higher Plain Baptist Church for its eggregiously violative political event on October 30, 2020.
2. We call on the Oklahoma County Election Board to no longer use Higher Plain Baptist Church as a polling place, given the high liklihood that this polling place will be on in which voters may face intimidation from armed protesters (as were present at the Oct. 30th event).
Why is this important?
On Friday, October 30th, Higher Plain Baptist Church in Oklahoma City held an event sponsored by the Oklahoma County Republican Party called "Mark and Patricia McCloskey, persecuted by the left, are coming to OKC!"
This event announcement also listed several Republican officer-holders (and candidates running for reelection) as speakers including: Brian Maughan County Commissioner District 2, David Hooten County Clerk and Rick Warren County Court Clerk.
This event is deeply troubling for the following reasons:
1. The event violates the provisions of the IRS restrictions on "political campaign activity" for 501c3 organizations.
2. This event celebrated the actions of two people who were indicted in St. Louis of unlawful use of a firearm and evidence tampering, all as a response to Black Lives Matter protesters.
3. The church permitted people to be in the parking lot during this event, brandishing AR-15's as a deliberate attempt to intimidate peaceful protesters.
As a result of this situation, I am preparing a formal complaint against Higher Plain Baptist Church (form 13909) with the IRS, urging the IRS to revoke the tax exempt status and will be submitting the responses to this petition as part of the complaint packet.
Sources:
1. Eventbrite.com Ticketing page for this event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mark-and-patricia-mccloskey-persecuted-by-the-left-are-coming-to-okc-tickets-126895871969?fbclid=IwAR3dTjb1JHmb1I8cgBCJa1irq_g6AlmAm01pYBISZcOYT7OIdUonoaaSAek
2. IRS Publication 1828 (IRS Tax Guide for Churches and Religious organizations) - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf
3. IRS Form 13909 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf
PHOTOS FROM: https://www.facebook.com/faulkingtruth
How it will be delivered
1. We will include send the signatures to the IRS as part of the formal complaint.
2. We will deliver the signatures to the Oklahoma County Election board in person (details pending)