Sharpton, Jackson to visit Tulsa this weekend
The Greater Union Baptist Church says Rev. Al Sharpton will speak at the church on Sunday. Rev. Jesse Jackson will speak at the First Baptist Church of North Tulsa on Saturday.
Jackson will also be in Tulsa on Friday for a noon meeting at the church on Friday.
Bishop Harold Jones of Full Gospel Family Outreach church told FOX23 earlier this week that Rev. Al Sharpton planned to visit Tulsa in the wake of the north Tulsa shootings.
Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of three African American victims last Friday morning in a five mile radius in north Tulsa. Two others were injured in the shooting spree.
Alvin Watts, 33 and Jake England, 19, are being held on nearly $10 million bond each. The District Attorney's office says it continues to investigate and "if the evidence supports a [hate crime] charge, it will be filed." Hate crimes are considered a misdemeanor under Oklahoma law. Watts and England face three first degree murder charges each, and two shooting with intent to kill charges each.
Dannaer Fields, Bobby Clark, and William Allen died in the Friday shooting spree. David Hall and Deon Tucker, both men in their 40s, were injured.
FOX23’s Adam Paluka spoke with Reverend Jackson on Wednesday, and he congratulated Tulsa leaders for quickly apprehending Watts and England, but he says many black people still feel unsafe in Tulsa and in Oklahoma. He told Adam that is why he's making a stop at First Baptist Church of North Tulsa.
First Baptist Church of North Tulsa's Pastor hasn't found much time to sit down.
“The last six days have been a whirlwind,” Reverend Anthony Scott said.
When he did have a chance to reflect, Reverend Scott thought north Tulsa needed a place to heal and a place to look toward the future.
“We just talked about the need for some sort of community gathering to kind of foster hope,” he said.
The gathering will be on Saturday with Reverend Jesse Jackson speaking at the service.
“He could offer a voice of peace and calm and tranquility and assurance that all things are well,” Reverend Scott said.
When it was announced many criticized the decision saying Jackson has almost no connection to Tulsa, but Reverend Jackson says he is coming to Tulsa as an invited guest.
“I am coming to Tulsa because we are concerned, because we've been invited and people feel they need to have a connection and they do not feel secure,” Reverend Jackson told FOX23.
He says his message will be simple, “Whites should not kill blacks. Blacks should not kill whites. People should not kill people. We must learn to live in civilized relationships.”
Reverend Jackson hopes who ever is in attendance Saturday leaves feeling better about their future in our city.
“I would hope that citizens in Tulsa and in Oklahoma white and black alike would find a reason to really around a case for justice and peace,” Reverend Jackson said.
Reverend Jackson says he does feel the shootings were a hate crime, but so far authorities haven't made that determination.
Bishop Harold Jones founded the Tulsa Chapter of National Action Network and has worked closely with Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Black Wall Street USA organization.
Rev. Al Sharpton, an outspoken civil rights activist, makes regular guest appearances on FOX News, MSNBC and other news outlets. He hosts a program on MSNBC.
Jackson will speak at the First Baptist Church at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Sharpton will address Greater Union Baptist Church on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Film at 11....
Shouldn't be any trouble or retaliation after they leave....