OKC rally has much different feel than DC
In what often took the tone of a tent revival, with praise for President Donald Trump and prayers for his protection, more than a thousand of his supporters rallied Wednesday at the state Capitol as some of the president's supporters in Washington, D.C., clashed with police and breached the U.S. Capitol.
Bishop Charles Martin, a Black pastor of All Nations Champions Church in Oklahoma City, led protesters in prayer, called on God's “protection” for Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, and said “supernatural things” would be happening Wednesday as debate over certifying the election was taking place in the nation's capital.
“God sent us a president that truly represents our nation and the heart of our nation,” Martin said.
The rally was organized by a Facebook group called “Drivefor45."
American flags, holstered guns and protest signs against Democrats were spotted throughout the rally.
Speakers loudly proclaimed to the crowd that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, and if Trump is not still in office on Inauguration Day Jan. 20, work toward the 2024 election would begin.
Through dozens of lawsuits claiming fraud, Trump has unsuccessfully tried to overturn election results in six battleground states.
Speakers at the rally railed against media reports of “no widespread voter fraud.”
“There's no way that you can have a president where people cheated the system, people cheated America, and people put a false president in charge of us, and the media says it never happened,” State Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow, shouted from the steps of the state Capitol. “The election was stolen.”
Many at the rally cheered at references to faith in God and support for Trump.
Nyeta Simmons, a Black supporter of Trump, told The Oklahoman that backing the president was a righteous cause.
“I'm definitely hopeful for the future,” she said. “Rallies like these make you know that not everyone's deceived.”
Camille & Haley, a Christian conservative sister duo from Tulsa, performed a song titled “TWALOT,” which stands for “That's Why America Loves President Trump.”
Some of the lyrics are: “He's got the best presidential hair we've ever seen, he's got the best sense of humor on his Twitter feed. And he's drain' that swamp, he's building that wall. He's America first and justice for all. And that's why America loves President Trump.”