On June 19, 2020, President Donald J. Trump is planning to kick off his campaign trail in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The same day, coincidentally, is known as Juneteenth. Which is the oldest national celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. This June also marks the 99th anniversary of the single worst incident of racial violence in America: the Tulsa Race Massacre. 

Recently, our country has seen mass protests over the pandemic that is systemic racism and injustices done to our communities of people of color for centuries. These protests are necessitated by Americans in order for change to occur because our nation’s leader is not listening. 

President Trump has a very long history of being an unabashed racist and a very short history of being the most powerful racist in the world, as he is the leader of the most powerful nation in the world. 

His unwillingness to denounce white supremacy and his corresponding willingness and his ability, using his global platform, to promote a dangerous agenda of divisiveness, violence, and chaos, especially during his campaign rallies are exactly why he is not welcome in Tulsa. 

Other issues Tulsans must be prescient of are the following: 

The president’s re-election campaign has stiffed cities all over the country, not paying their bills to municipalities. The city of Tulsa will have to provide security and coordination for the rally, at significant cost, using funds that are not budgeted. And there is a significant risk of absolutely NO reimbursement! 

Keep in mind that even though Oklahoma’s COVID-19 rates have been low compared to other states, inviting thousands of people, from all over the state and other states, gathering in one spot, following the president’s example of no masks or social distancing opens up the possibility of COVID-19 transmission. Our police force & medical responders will be at highest risk. We cannot let them be exposed to COVID-19 in such a concentrated event. Especially considering that neighboring Arkansas is having a surge of infections, and the rally will likely draw from the whole region.

Tulsa has a marred legacy of its treatment of people of color. Let us not be on the wrong side of history any longer. You and I have the ability to change this with our voices, our votes, and our signatures.

Please sign and share.