Trump’s thoughtless decision to hold a political rally in Tulsa OK on the °Juneteenth” and amidst BLM demonstrations, has been rescheduled.

Many see Trump’s original plan of holding his so-called celebration of his presidential campaign on the “Juneteenth,” as an act of desperation to save his failing popularity at the polls. Oklahoma being a red state that gave Trump huge support in the 2016 election, was an easy choice for the lackluster leader.

However, many of Trump’s critics and black leaders see it as another dangerous, politically-motivated act that will only fuel more violence in the state of Oklahoma.

Why Trump Should Not Hold a Political Rally in Tulsa on June 19

 

The Black Lives Matter (BLM) rallies are likely to gather in big numbers on June 19, the “Juneteenth,” being the date that African Americans celebrate the emancipation of their ancestors from American slavery in 1865.

“Juneteenth” is also the day African Americans commemorate one of the darkest moments in the history of Tulsa. In 1921, hundreds of people, many of whom were African Americans, were massacred when a mob of white racists attacked a predominantly black neighborhood.

Had Trump’s advisers failed to rationalize with him about the dangers of appearing in a rally, in which he would only rouse his racist white supporters, the unfathomable possibility of another violent incident is not far from happening. Although Trump said choosing the “Juneteenth” as his rally date was not intentional, many are quite aghast that this U.S. president is still bent on sowing discord as a way of addressing the continuing protests spurred by George Floyd’s death.

Peaceful Rallies in Oklahoma Marred by Looting Incidents

The BLM protests joined in by hundreds of Oklahoma City residents ended when agitators instigated rioting and looting acts. T. Sheri Dickerson, the leader of the Oklahoma City chapter of BLM, said they proceeded to downtown Oklahoma City Sunday night to ask community members to disperse peacefully and think of their own safety, as well as the safety of all other protesters.

Dickerson also posted a video at Facebook Live on the organization’s FB account, to remind OK community members that BLM does not participate in rioting; nor in any way encouraged the rioting that took place last Sunday night because the BLM rally had already ended when violence erupted.