TULSA, Okla. — A former aide to Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum is speaking out after his resignation letter went viral.
Jack Graham began working for Mayor Bynum as an intern in 2017. He then had a fellowship in his office before getting a full-time job as an aide in May of last year, a position he held until last Saturday.
“I want my family and friends to know where I stand," Graham said. "And I want to be on the right side of history.”
Graham said multiple incidents had been building up since the pandemic began, but that President Trump’s rally in Tulsa and the city not doing more to keep citizens safe was the final straw.
He submitted his resignation letter to Mayor Bynum on the day of the rally. The letter saying in part, “My heart is telling me that I can no longer effectively support you and the decisions you make for Tulsa.”
“We could’ve followed CDC guidelines stricter," Graham said. "We could’ve required six-feet of social distancing between parties. Masks could’ve not just been handed out but encouraged inside the arena and hand washing and sanitization could have been encouraged.”
Graham’s resignation went viral on Twitter, getting thousands of likes and retweets.
I have submitted my resignation to Mayor GT Bynum effective today. pic.twitter.com/Lohzobwh3e
— Jack Graham (@jrgtul) June 20, 2020
“I didn’t do this for social media, I did it for myself," Graham said.
Mayor Bynum’s office released a statement saying:
"I can confirm he resigned. He worked for the city in an entry-level position for 13 months. Mayor Bynum wishes him well.”
As for Graham, despite everything that happened, he said he also wishes the mayor well.
“I continue to support him," Graham said. "I’ve seen the amazing work that he and his team have done in the past and I hope that that work continues.”
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