Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mayor G.T. Bynum has declared a civil emergency in the city just before President Trump’s Saturday rally, citing national security concerns.
The Republican signed an executive order that established a weekend federal exclusion zone and a curfew with the exception of large gatherings, including counter protests to Trump’s event.
“I have received information from the Tulsa Police Department and other law enforcement agencies that shows that individuals from organized groups who have been involved in destructive and violent behavior in other states are planning to travel to the city of Tulsa for purposes of causing unrest in and around the rally,” Bynum wrote in the executive order that went into effect Thursday evening.
The overnight curfew restrictions, which will be extended into Sunday, prohibit people from walking, running, loitering, standing, or motoring on alleys, streets, highways, public property, sidewalks, or other vacant areas unless they are on duty in response to the emergency.
The curfew will start Saturday night after the Trump rally ends and stretches to 6 a.m. on Sunday.
Any kind of explosives, including Molotov cocktails as well as flammable or explosive liquids, are banned within city limits.
Tulsa police warned that refusal to leave the area may result in the issuing of citations or even arrests.
“This is an unprecedented event for the City of Tulsa and has hundreds of moving parts, we are asking for everyone’s help in making this a safe event for all citizens,” police said.
The BOK Center, where Trump’s rally will take place, has asked the president’s reelection campaign about health and safety guidelines and social distancing strategy, considering the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and surging number of cases in the state.
The campaign stated that they would provide temperature checks as well as face masks and hand sanitizer to every rally attendee.
The rally is expected to bring in at least 100,000 people with people who have already been waiting in line days prior to the event. The center can hold up to 20,000 people.
