Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he would shift the date of his Oklahoma rally from ‘Juneteenth’ June 19 to June 20, to show respect to the day that commemorates marking the end of slavery in the US.
This comes after Trump faced backlash and criticism for scheduling his first election rally on the day known by African Americans as Freedom Day that too in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the city known for bloodiest racial injustice against African Americans in US history.
…of respect for this Holiday, and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents. I have therefore decided to move our rally to Saturday, June 20th, in order to honor their requests…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2020
Earlier, Donald Trump on his website had asked his supporters to sign a waiver and register on his website before joining the rally. The waiver promises that no one joining his rally will be able to sue him, if they contracted the virus in the rally.
“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President” the statement said.
The Republican Presidential candidate who is set to hold elections on November 3 this year, announced on Wednesday, rallies in four states- Oklahoma, Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona.
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Despite hitting the maximum number of coronavirus cases across the world and having health officials asking people to avoid crowded places, the President is optimistic to continue with the election campaigning.
There is no mention of taking basic preventive measures for people participating in the rally. They haven’t been advised to wear masks or carry sanitizers either.
This would be Trump’s first election rally post a three-month countrywide lockdown.
With more than 1,13,000 people who died due to COVID-19 and more than two million coronavirus positive people in the country along with Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina seeing surging numbers, it seems a surprise that a rally is in the cards.
Moreover, this has led to a lot of raised eyebrows on the President’s intentions. He has prioritized elections over people’s health.