'We're not all racists, we're not all homophobes': Trump supporters line up for Tulsa rally

Daniel ShularJun 20, 2020, 21:27 IST

A Trump supporter takes a selfie near the BOK Center on June 19, 2020, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.SETH HERALD/AFP via Getty Images

Hundreds lined up Friday outside BOK Center in Tulsa in anticipation of President Donald Trump's rally on Saturday.
"There are people who support will support Donald Trump and we're not all racists, we're not all homophobes," Hayden Hyman, a college student told insider.
Deedee Manor said she came to stand against abortion. "We are in a Holocaust. Pro-life is not working, the only antidote is illegalizing."
Experts say the rally could be a superspreader event, but many in attendance said they're not worried.
The Oklahoma National Guard has been sent to secure the area in case of clashes between attendees and protesters.

Despite sporadic rain, hundreds of Trump supporters lined up Friday near the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a chance to see the president at his first campaign rally since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Health experts worry the rally could become a superspreader event. Attendees are required to sign a waiver agreeing they won't sue if they contract COVID-19.

There are also concerns about clashes between supporters and protesters. On Friday afternoon, rallygoers surrounded CNN correspondent Gary Tuchman and his crew and shouted at them until they left.

The Oklahoma National Guard has been sent to guard the area around the BOK Center over the weekend. On Thursday, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum issued a weekend curfew, but lifted it Friday before it took effect.

Here's what people lining up for President Trump's rally in Tulsa had to say.

"I've supported Trump long before he was president," Matthew Kober, an electrician from Allentown, Pennsylvania said. "The guy's got money and real estate."

Matthew Kober pets his dog Luna after putting a "Keep America great" t-shirt on her. Daniel Shular

"I think the Lord brought us out here," Deborah Adams said about why she brought her children to the rally. We like Trump, we like what he stands for."

Deborah Adams (left) plays jump rope with her daughters Mercy, 9 (center), and Melody, 5. Daniel Shular

Deedee Mannor is attending the rally because of her beliefs about abortion. "We are in a Holocaust," Mannor said. "Pro-life is not working. The only antidote is illegalizing."

Deedee Mannor waits next to her tent the day before Donald Trump's reelection rally in Tulsa. Daniel Shular

Deedee Mannor is attending the rally because of her beliefs about abortion. "We are in a Holocaust," Mannor said. "Pro-life is not working. The only antidote is illegalizing."

Hayden Hyman, a student at the University of Central Arkansas, said he wanted to show "there are people who support will support Donald Trump and we're not all racists, we're not all homophobes."

University of Central Arkansas students Morgan Thomas, 19 (left), and Hayden Hyman, 19, outside the barricades at BOK Center. Daniel Shular

Hayden Hyman, a student at the University of Central Arkansas, said he wanted to show "there are people who support will support Donald Trump and we're not all racists, we're not all homophobes."

Not everyone in Tulsa is supportive of the rally. Opponents put signs in the window of a nearby building.

Signs critical of President Donald Trump's rally are seen in a building above an entrance point for Saturday's rally, on June 19, 2020. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

"The chaos around here is gonna be a lot for Tulsa," city worker Tabitha Burns said about working during the rally.

City workers Tabitha Burns (left) and Jennifer Oakes carry equipment while working on barricades around the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular

Artist Tommy Zegan brought his stainless steel sculpture, "Trump and His Magic Wand" to the rally. Zegan hopes to have it one day displayed in the Trump presidential library.

Tommy Zegan with "Trump and His Magic Wand" near the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular

Artist Tommy Zegan brought his stainless steel sculpture, "Trump and His Magic Wand" to the rally. Zegan hopes to have it one day displayed in the Trump presidential library.

Some rallygoers set up tents and got some sleep before Saturday's rally.

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump sleep outside the BOK Center in the early morning Friday while lined up to attend the Trump campaign rally near the BOK Center on June 19, 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Win McNamee/Getty Image

Amber Wichers, who was selling Donald Trump merchandise, said she'd never been to a rally before. "So far it's been great, it's been peaceful besides a couple of people yelling," she said.

Amber Wichers of Allentown, Pennsylvania, with her 5-month-old daughter, Myleigh Kober. Daniel Shular

Amber Wichers, who was selling Donald Trump merchandise, said she'd never been to a rally before. "So far it's been great, it's been peaceful besides a couple of people yelling," she said.

Eric Washington, a 61-year-old vendor selling t-shirts, says he's not worried about getting COVID. "God got it," Washington said. "I'm not used to wearing masks."

Eric Washington sells a t-shirt from his booth near the east entrance of the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular

As many as 250 Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers are being activated to help provide security on Saturday, the AP reported.

Oklahoma National Guard troops stand near the Civic Centre Parkade on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular

Greg Adams drove an hour from Stillwater, Oklahoma, with his teen daughters to attend the rally. "We're not worried about the coronavirus," he said. "I'm supposed to stay at home when I'm sick and wash my hands for 20 seconds, so I'm doing those things."

Greg Adams puts up a tent with his daughters Hannah, 17 (left) and Hadassah, 16. Daniel Shular

Greg Adams drove an hour from Stillwater, Oklahoma, with his teen daughters to attend the rally. "We're not worried about the coronavirus," he said. "I'm supposed to stay at home when I'm sick and wash my hands for 20 seconds, so I'm doing those things."

Gary Brumley, a 60-year-old Tulsa native, says he came "to protest the dismemberment of our national monuments that are sacred to this country,"

Gary Brumley waves a Confederate flag on South Bolder Avenue, near the east entrance to the BOK Center, on June 19, 2020. Daniel Shular

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'We're not all racists, we're not all homophobes': Trump supporters line up for Tulsa rally

"I've supported Trump long before he was president," Matthew Kober, an electrician from Allentown, Pennsylvania said. "The guy's got money and real estate."

"I think the Lord brought us out here," Deborah Adams said about why she brought her children to the rally. We like Trump, we like what he stands for."

Deedee Mannor is attending the rally because of her beliefs about abortion. "We are in a Holocaust," Mannor said. "Pro-life is not working. The only antidote is illegalizing."

Hayden Hyman, a student at the University of Central Arkansas, said he wanted to show "there are people who support will support Donald Trump and we're not all racists, we're not all homophobes."

Not everyone in Tulsa is supportive of the rally. Opponents put signs in the window of a nearby building.

"The chaos around here is gonna be a lot for Tulsa," city worker Tabitha Burns said about working during the rally.

Artist Tommy Zegan brought his stainless steel sculpture, "Trump and His Magic Wand" to the rally. Zegan hopes to have it one day displayed in the Trump presidential library.

Some rallygoers set up tents and got some sleep before Saturday's rally.

Amber Wichers, who was selling Donald Trump merchandise, said she'd never been to a rally before. "So far it's been great, it's been peaceful besides a couple of people yelling," she said.

Eric Washington, a 61-year-old vendor selling t-shirts, says he's not worried about getting COVID. "God got it," Washington said. "I'm not used to wearing masks."

As many as 250 Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers are being activated to help provide security on Saturday, the AP reported.

Greg Adams drove an hour from Stillwater, Oklahoma, with his teen daughters to attend the rally. "We're not worried about the coronavirus," he said. "I'm supposed to stay at home when I'm sick and wash my hands for 20 seconds, so I'm doing those things."

Gary Brumley, a 60-year-old Tulsa native, says he came "to protest the dismemberment of our national monuments that are sacred to this country,"