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President Donald Trump said he plans to resume his rallies starting on June 19 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The date of the rally, and the idea of having rallies at all during a pandemic, is spiking controversy.
The kickoff to a new set of planned Trump rallies begins on June 19 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This date is known as “Juneteenth,” which is a commemoration of the end of slavery. Although it isn’t an officially recognized holiday, it is largely celebrated within the U.S. African American community.
The location itself also has a dire history. It is the site of the 1921 attack on the Greenwood neighborhood once known as “Black Wall Street.” It is considered to be one of the worst massacres of black people by whites in American history. For obvious reasons, this date will hold a special significance this year in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
An adviser to the Trump campaign, Katrina Pierson, issued a statement. She said “that the party of Lincoln, Republicans are proud of the history of Juneteenth, which is the anniversary of the last reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.”
She added that Trump “has built a record of success for black Americans.”
However, others believe that Trump is pandering for votes before the upcoming election. Symone Sanders, a senior adviser for Joe Biden’s campaign, responded to Trump’s plans.
She simply tweeted, “The unmitigated gall.”
Related: Trump Makes Strange Conspiracy Claims as Floyd Funeral Unfolds in Houston
Not only does Trump plan to hold a rally on Juneteenth, but he also has several others planned in unspecified cities in Arizona, Florida and North Carolina.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper recently applauded the President for pausing his rallies during the ongoing pandemic. However, Trump quickly changed plans after Cooper said he couldn’t guarantee a “full convention.”
Trump rallies are known for attracting thousands of his supporters. However, some worry that the supporters won’t wear masks because the President himself refuses to wear them. Of course, having thousands of supporters driving from out of state to attend the rallies will also pose a risk.
So far, Oklahoma has reported less than 7,500 cases of COVID-19, with 356 deaths. This is among the fewest in the country.
If the rallies do not help Trump garner needed support for the upcoming election, he might want to consider hiring a new bankruptcy attorney.
Related: Trump Yanks RNC From NC Over Possibility of Coronavirus Restrictions
