You all hear about Tulsa seemingly being the center of the world this past weekend? The Trump camp held their first campaign rally since the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down. The rally was initially planned for Friday June 19, but moved to Saturday following pressure about the 19th being Juneteenth and all. But you probably knew about that already. We should've all known about that considering the wall-to-wall news coverage.
I'm still mentally unpacking from being in Tulsa Friday and Saturday. There's also a decent amount of still images and footage to dig through. Seeing as how it's Monday and all, I figure I could at least share a few and some of the experience.
Honestly I didn't feel like I should miss these events. Growing up super white and conservative I don't remember ever learning about Juneteenth. I'd only heard about it as an adult and honestly just recently come to know the history and appreciate its importance. I figured the Saturday Trump rally was going to be, well...something.
Events like these make up who we are as people and as Americans. I didn't want to look back years later and regret not participating knowing I had the opportunity.
Friday night's Juneteenth event in the Greenwood District was a big and peaceful summer street party. I did head over to near the BOK Center where blocks and blocks of people from all over the country were already in line and had been for days hoping to get inside for the rally.
The main story of Saturday, in my opinion, was that the Trump campaign rally was much smaller than anticipated. I had no intention or desire to be in the BOK building and I was much more interested in what was happening outside. In a continuing effort to personally process what’s happening right now, I was in Tulsa independently just to witness what I could.
Overall the atmosphere outside Tulsa's BOK Center was tense, but civil. There were plenty of spats between Trump supporters and protesters. Some got physical, but fights were quickly broken up primarily by people from both sides. I did see law enforcement step in a couple times and individuals were arrested.
One situation happened right in front of me with what felt at first like incredible efficiency but then overwhelming force. I got into more about it on an Instagram post if you're up to check it out.
I'm planning to cut something from the Saturday footage, but that'll take some time. Surely I'll post it soon enough. I don't think I've ever been more intentional and considerate about what I'm choosing to post from the events. I've covered protests for years in both a press and independent role, but right now feels different and rightfully so. Yea, I feel like we're recording a visual record of history. Granted my potential audience is absolutely meager, but that doesn't give me a pass on trying my hardest to get it right.