Stitt now recommends Trump not visit Greenwood District
Gov. Kevin Stitt said Wednesday he has now recommended President Donald Trump not tour the historic Greenwood District in Tulsa before the president's campaign rally on Saturday.
Citing potential disruptions to June teen th celebrations and logistical issues with the Secret Service, Stitt said the goal is instead to have Vice President Mike Pen ce hold a di s cussion with local leaders of the Black community.
St it tin vi ted Trump to tour the Greenwood District earlier this week. The district was the site of t he 1 921 Tulsa Race Massacre and formerly home of what was called “Black Wall Street.”
It' s unclear whether Trump will still visit the
district, which is in the same area as the B OK Center, where t he rally will be held.
“Ultimately, it will be the president's decision,” Stitt said at a Wednesday press conference held to discuss CARES Act funding .“It was a request that I made earlier, but because of the Juneteenth celebrations, with the Secret Service, it could be problematic to have the president go there.”
Juneteenth is a celebration of the emancipation of slaves in America held each year on June 19.
Trump originally scheduled his Tulsa rally for June 19 but changed the date after backlash from state Black leaders and others.
St it ts aid Sen. James
Lank ford also recommended Trump not tour the district.
"Sen. Lank ford has been consistent in his recommendation to the White House to be aware and respectful of the June teen th gatherings in Tulsa, a sentiment the President s hared when he moved the rally from Friday to Saturday," said Kelly Ferguson, spoke swoman for Lank ford' s office. "While the White House will make all final decisions about the president's schedule, Senator Lankford will continue to encourage the president to emphasize unity during Saturday's visit to Tulsa.”
Several Tulsa community leaders have said they would be concerned if Trump visited the Greenwood District.