Rev. Jesse Jackson To Appear At Tulsa Prayer Service For Good Friday Shootings

The civil rights activist will attend a private meeting on Friday and a public prayer rally on Saturday at the First Baptist Church North Tulsa.

Wednesday, April 11th 2012, 4:20 pm

By: News On 6


In light of the Good Friday shooting spree, which left three black people dead and two injured in north Tulsa, the Reverend Jesse Jackson is planning a weekend visit to Tulsa.

Pastor Anthony Scott confirmed the civil rights activist will be present at a private leadership conference at the First Baptist Church North Tulsa, 1414 North Greenwood Avenue, Friday at noon. He will also appear at the church's public community prayer event Saturday at 6 p.m.

The initial contact about a visit from Rev. Jackson came from talks among representatives in the Black Caucus and their concern about the Tulsa community, Scott said.

"From there arose a discussion about a community worship service for hope and healing," Scott said.

Scott said the arrests of two men accused in the shootings have brought some sort of closure to the community. Jake England, 19, and Alvin Watts, 33, were each arrested on three complaints of first-degree murder and are currently being held on $9 million bond.

4/8/12 Related Story: Tulsa Police Say Tips, Task Force Lead To Killers' Capture

"We are doing OK, and we are so happy there has been some kind of resolution ," Scott said. "But when all the national people are gone, we want to maintain this momentum of togetherness."

Scott said tragedy has a way of bonding neighbors and strangers, and he is especially proud of the way the city has reacted to the "unprecedented" shootings.

"It's not just in the north Tulsa community; it's all over the city," Scott said. "We are seeing the best of the Tulsa spirit come out of an incredible tragedy. We are hoping the prayer service will set a tone for the future."

The private leadership conference on Friday will include Jackson, as well as Oklahoma faith and civic leaders and politicians.

There were reports that Rev. Al Sharpton would also be in Tulsa this weekend. It was reported Sharpton would be at a separate rally, along with the national NAACP president.

Sharpton will be at a Washington, D.C. conference this weekend with his National Action Network, and hasn't yet confirmed that he will be able to make it to Tulsa, his assistant, Chanel McCullough, told NewsOn6.com Wednesday afternoon.

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