Compassionate Tulsa committee reviews decade of work and weighs reaffirmation amid political risks

The Tulsa Human Rights Commission heard a presentation from Dr. Gary Paluzzo, chair of Compassionate Tulsa, on the group's origins, activities and a question the committee is now weighing: whether to seek reaffirmation of the city’s earlier pledge to the international Charter for Compassion.

Paluzzo told commissioners that the initiative grew from Karen Armstrong’s Charter for Compassion and a global Compassionate Cities movement, and that local organizers secured a city resolution and mayoral support in about 2014–15. "To be present with those who are suffering in a way that helps," Paluzzo said, describing the core meaning of compassion in the Charter’s framing. He said the Tulsa committee has operated mostly as an unpaid volunteer group of "about 8 or 9 persons" and has focused on public recognition, small vigils, awards for people acting compassionately, and occasional benefit events for local organizations such as the Day Center for the Homeless.

The panel discussed whether to ask the mayor and city council to reaffirm Tulsa’s…