Trump changes rally date over clash with end of slavery commemoration
(dpa)
Washington (dpa) - US President Donald Trump said late Friday he was rescheduling his first major public campaign event after a backlash over his chosen date, which coincides with a day on which many in the country commemorate the end of slavery.
The original timing and the Tulsa location provoked outrage among Trump's critics, who called it an insult to the memory of George Floyd, the black man whose death in police custody two weeks ago sparked US-wide protests.
White mobs massacred hundreds of African-Americans in Tulsa during riots there in 1921.
Democratic Senator Kamala Harris accused Trump of emboldening racists with the date and location.
"This isn't just a wink to white supremacists — he's throwing them a welcome home party," she tweeted Thursday.
Trump said Friday the decision to postpone came "many of my African American friends and supporters" reached out to suggest a date change out of respect for Juneteenth commemorations.
"We had previously scheduled our #MAGA Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for June 19th – a big deal. Unfortunately, however, this would fall on the Juneteenth Holiday," Trump wrote.
The rally will be moved to June 20 to avoid a clash, he said.
The US is reopening after months of coronavirus lockdown measures, though public health officials have opposed large gatherings like sporting events or concerts, especially indoor gatherings where the risk of infection is likely higher.
White mobs massacred hundreds of African-Americans in Tulsa during riots there in 1921.
Democratic Senator Kamala Harris accused Trump of emboldening racists with the date and location.
"This isn't just a wink to white supremacists — he's throwing them a welcome home party," she tweeted Thursday.
Trump said Friday the decision to postpone came "many of my African American friends and supporters" reached out to suggest a date change out of respect for Juneteenth commemorations.
"We had previously scheduled our #MAGA Rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for June 19th – a big deal. Unfortunately, however, this would fall on the Juneteenth Holiday," Trump wrote.
The rally will be moved to June 20 to avoid a clash, he said.
The US is reopening after months of coronavirus lockdown measures, though public health officials have opposed large gatherings like sporting events or concerts, especially indoor gatherings where the risk of infection is likely higher.