TULSA, Okla. — Protesters gathered at locations across Tulsa and other Oklahoma communities for "No Kings" demonstrations on June 14.
In Tulsa, multiple protests were organized, including one in downtown Tulsa outside the Tulsa County Courthouse, which began around noon.
Protesters chanted and held signs denouncing fascism and protesting recent actions by the current administration. At its height, an estimated 1,500 people were gathered downtown.
In response to the protest, a few people drove by with flags celebrating the president prominently displayed and honked.
That protest wrapped at about 3 p.m., with nearly all protesters cleared out by 3:30 p.m.
A second protest, which also began at noon, was held near the intersection of 41st and Yale. There, protesters lined the sidewalks along the intersection, holding signs. About 500 people were present at the height of the protest.
That began to disperse around 1:30 p.m. A small handful remained by 2:15 p.m. There were no initial reports of violence or disturbance.
Gallery >>> Protestors gathered at locations across Tulsa for "No Kings" demonstrations on June 14
A third protest, located at the intersection of 71st and Memorial, began at about 3 p.m. and grew to 1,500 people by 5 p.m.
“I think our voices being heard today is benefiting everybody — not just us, but the people who don’t know what they’re fighting for,” a protester named Morgan told 2 News.
“Everybody is here for their personal reasons, but it all comes down to injustice, what’s happening to this country,” Aaron Walton, the 71st and Memorial protest’s organizer, told 2 News.
The protests here were mostly peaceful on Saturday. But tensions were undeniably high.
At times, protesters and counter-protesters got up close and personal with each other.
At one point, there was a tense exchange between protesters and a Trump supporter donning a flag with a rifle slung over his shoulder. At another point, protesters crossed 71st Street, where people waving Trump flags were demonstrating, and drove them out, which resulted in Tulsa police getting involved.
Eventually, a fight broke out just after 7:30 p.m., as seen in a cellphone video from a bystander. 2 News was there when it happened. The fight was brief, and police were on the scene quickly.
“This is a peaceful protest,” said a protester named Jonas we spoke with after the fight. “That is our only goal for this is to be a peaceful protest because that is what we believe Trump is against, illegally sending the military to LA.”
Around one hundred people gathered for a fourth protest near the intersection of 21st and Garnett. Like the others, this featured people standing along the sidewalk holding signs.
Tulsa Police Department said it would have officers on standby at each protest location to monitor and ensure safety.
Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen released a statement about the protests on the department's Facebook page, saying in part, "On this day, when multiple demonstrations are planned across the nation and here in Tulsa, this department fully supports our citizens' First Amendment right to express their views through peaceful demonstration. Our officers will be present to ensure the safety of our citizens as well as property. I encourage those attending to respect the law and remain calm."
Previous Coverage >>> Tulsa Police Chief responds to deadly shootings in Minnesota; addresses protests planned in Tulsa
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Watch LIVE 24/7 on YouTube
