Mediaboss Marketing

Juneteenth has been celebrated among African Americans for 155 years as the day when slavery was finally abolished in the United States.

But June 19 should be a national holiday, the Rev. Al Sharpton said, because it was the first day that made this country step up to the model it announced, that all men are created equal.

Sharpton, a nationally known civil rights activist and founder of the National Action Network, was the keynote speaker at Tulsas Juneteenth celebration, held Friday in the Greenwood District.

I dont care about threats, Sharpton said at one point in his speech.

Earlier in the day, it was revealed that Sharpton had begun receiving death threats soon after his arrival in Tulsa.

At a hastily called press event about 90 minutes before Sharpton was to take the stage for his keynote address, organizers said Sharpton was very concerned about his safety and that there had been some suggestions that Sharptons appearance, and perhaps the rest of the festival itself, be canceled.

However, Sharpton who was introduced by Tiffany Crutcher, whose friendship with Sharpton began in the wake of the killing of her brother Terence Crutcher, as a true friend and a true freedom fighter strode out onto the Juneteenth stage and immediately led the crowd in the chant No justice, no peace.

Through the rest of his 30-minute address, Sharpton exhorted and encouraged the crowd with examples of strength and resilience from African American history and several pointed jabs at President Donald Trump.

Thats why Im puzzled by people who go around saying Make America Great Again, Sharpton said. I want them to give me the date when America was great for everybody.

He listed a number of historic situations, from the discrimination under Jim Crow laws to women being denied the right to vote and immigrants being barred in spite of the Statue of Libertys offer to bring me your huddled masses, that did not portray a great America.

Sharpton then remarked on the diversity of the crowd and said, We are the ones who are going to make America great for everybody for the first time.

In reference to Trumps tweet that seemed to promise all protesters coming to Trumps campaign rally Saturday at the BOK Center would be met with violence, Sharpton said, If I had said what Trump said, I would have been charged with inciting violence.

He also mocked Trumps professed ignorance of Juneteenth and its importance to African Americans. Trumps rally was originally scheduled for Friday but was moved to Saturday in the face of local and national outrage.

Juneteenth commemorates the date slaves in Texas finally received the news about the Emancipation Proclamation.

Sharpton said Trump, a native New Yorker, grew up in a city where two-thirds of the population was African American or Latino.

His lack of knowledge about this pivotal event was either the result of an insensitive and isolated life or hes lying. In either case, Sharpton said, Trump was too culturally deficient to address this country as its head of state.

Sharpton also challenged Trumps claims of doing a great deal for the African American community, saying that many of the things Trump claimed to have accomplished, such as lowered unemployment, were the result of President Barack Obamas policies.

You just rode the wave, Sharpton said. He challenged Trump to use his rally Saturday to set out definite policies dealing with racism and police brutality.

If you come to Tulsa and you cant say something concrete (about these issues), then dont say anything at all, he said.

Sharpton said Juneteenth should be a national holiday because it was the first day this country stepped up to living up to the model it announced, that all men are created equal. That is why all humane and decent people should celebrate this day.

Sharpton was preceded by several notable members of Tulsas African American community, including the Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon AME Church and attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, both of whom spoke about the need for reparations resulting from the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, in which the area where this years Juneteenth Festival was held was destroyed.

At a media briefing earlier in the day, Sharpton stressed that he came to Tulsa for a specific reason.

I came here to address an issue, Sharpton said, referring to the recent protests against racism and police brutality in the wake of the high-profile killings of African Americans in recent weeks, such as the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

I would say to Trump, you should deal with the issue the issue of how to deal with racial inequality, he said. He needs to tell his policy of how he is going to close the racial gap in America.

On the positive side, Sharpton said, I have seen more unity among Black and white people in the last three weeks than I have ever seen, referring to the largely peaceful protests that have swept the nation in the aftermath of Floyds death.

Crowds gather before speakers at Juneteenth

Scenes from Tulsas Juneteenth celebration Friday

Spectators gather Friday to listen to the Rev. Al Sharpton during Tulsas Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa.IAN MAULE/Tulsa World

The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks during Tulsas Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday.IAN MAULE/Tulsa World

Gannon Mack holds his son, Gabriel, 2, of Oklahoma City, while Al Sharpton speaks during Tulsa's Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday, June 19, 2020.IAN MAULE/Tulsa World

Dr. Tiffany Crutcher and friends and family of her late brother, Terrance, hold their fist in their air in solidarity during Tulsa's Juneteenth Celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday, June 19, 2020.IAN MAULE/Tulsa World

Reverend Robert Turner, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, and Oklahoma State Senator Kevin Matthews speak to media during Tulsa's Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday, June 19, 2020.IAN MAULE/Tulsa World

The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks Friday during Tulsas Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa.IAN MAULE/Tulsa World

A couple embrace while Al Sharpton speaks during Tulsa's Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday, June 19, 2020.IAN MAULE/Tulsa World

Elijah Cheatham (left), 6, and Brianna Roberts, 8, sit on a highway embankment during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

People fill Greenwood Avenue during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday.MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

People listen to a musical act during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

People register to vote during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Tr Coleman dances down Greenwood Avenue during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday.

MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Marvin Smith collects chuildrens' books from the Gaining Ground literacy organization during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Grayden Thomas (left), 13, and his mother, Laura Thomas, organize shirts during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

A woman who identified herself as Muthaland X collects childrens books from the Gaining Ground literacy organization during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa on Friday.MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Jeiel Jones, 7, takes part in an art lesson during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Jeremy Drayton teaches an art lesson to children during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Elizabeth Hubbard (left) and her son James Hubbard look at the Black Wall Street memorial during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Marquita Tolbert (left) collects a Black Lives Matter shirt from Grayden Thomas, 13, and his mother, Laura Thomas (right), during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa.MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

A boy stands near the Black Wall Street mural during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Spectators gather to watch remarks from the Rev. Al Sharpton during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

The Rev. Al Sharpton is flanked by the Rev. Robert Turner and Tiffany Crutcher as he makes remarks Friday during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

The Rev. Al Sharpton makes remarks with the Rev. Robert Turner during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

The Rev. Al Sharpton makes remarks with the Rev. Robert Turner during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Demetria Jackson, from Kansas City, Kansas, sets out merchandise ahead of a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Vendors set up merchandise tents ahead of a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Trevon Bethea, from Charlotte, North Carolina, sets out Black Lives Matter merchandise ahead of a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

A man arranges a mask bearing the phrase "I can't breathe" ahead of a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Two men who did not want to be identified film a video near the phrase "Black Lives Matter" painted on the street near the corner of Archer Street and Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

The phrase "Black Lives Matter" is painted on the street near the corner of Archer Street and Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

The phrase "Black Lives Matter" is painted on the street near the corner of Archer Street and Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

The phrase "Black Lives Matter" is painted on a street near the corner of Archer Street and Greenwood Avenue. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Ronald Stewart raises his fist while standing over the phrase "Black Lives Matter" painted on the street near the corner of Archer Street and Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Deleesha Earl affixes a mask to her face while celebrating Juneteenth in the Greenwood District on June 19, 2020. HARRISON GRIMWOOD/Tulsa World

An unidentified woman waits to cross the street at Elgin Avenue and Archer Street after admiring a mural painted on a building that was boarded up prior to a campaign rally in downtown Tulsa on June 19, 2020. HARRISON GRIMWOOD/Tulsa World

A man stands by a block-long section of Greenwood Avenue that was painted with "Black Lives Matter" on June 19, 2020. HARRISON GRIMWOOD/Tulsa World

Terren Zinbi, of Tulsa, paints a boards of a shuttered building at 2 N. Elgin Ave. on June 19, 2020. HARRISON GRIMWOOD/Tulsa World

Terren Zinbi, of Tulsa, paints a boards of a shuttered building at 2 N. Elgin Ave. on June 19, 2020. HARRISON GRIMWOOD/Tulsa World

Terren Zinbi, of Tulsa, paints a boards of a shuttered building at 2 N. Elgin Ave. on June 19, 2020. HARRISON GRIMWOOD/Tulsa World

Terren Zinbi, of Tulsa, paints a boards of a shuttered building at 2 N. Elgin Ave. on June 19, 2020. HARRISON GRIMWOOD/Tulsa World

People take photos and seek shelter during a rain storm on Greenwood Avenue during Juneteenth festivities, on Friday, June 19, 2020. CORY YOUNG/for the Tulsa World

Brandi Ishem, 17, waits as rainy conditions send people to shelter on Greenwood Avenue during Juneteenth festivities, on Friday, June 19, 2020. CORY YOUNG/for the Tulsa World

People seek shelter during a rain storm on Greenwood Avenue during Juneteenth festivities on Friday, June 19, 2020. CORY YOUNG/for the Tulsa World

The Rev. Al Sharpton makes remarks with the Rev. Robert Turner during a Juneteenth celebration in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., on Friday, June 19, 2020. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

A man runs across Greenwood Avenue during Juneteenth festivities amidst a rain storm on Friday, June 19, 2020. CORY YOUNG/for the Tulsa World

People seek shelter during a rain storm on Greenwood Avenue during Juneteenth festivities, on Friday, June 19, 2020. CORY YOUNG/for the Tulsa World

{!--[if gte mso 9]}{xml} {o:OfficeDocumentSettings} {o:AllowPNG/} {/o:OfficeDocumentSettings} {/xml}{![endif]--}

Read the original post:
Rev. Al Sharpton challenges Trump to deal with racism; Juneteenth organizers say Sharpton gets death threats in Tulsa - Tulsa World