Trump to Kick of Independence Day Festivities at Mt. Rushmore; Protestors Slash Tires & Block Highways

Though the media mocked Trump for a "sparse" crowd at his Tulsa rally, it appears that the Mount Rushmore event is PACKED with spectators.

Fox News has more details on the President's Independence Day celebrations in South Dakota:

President Trump on Friday will travel to Mount Rushmore to mark the start of Independence Day weekend with a firework display -- coming at a time of vigorous national debate over America’s history, and when the South Dakota landmark is under renewed scrutiny by activists.

Trump is expected to speak at the event, and more than 7,000 tickets have been distributed for people to watch it. It is likely to be filled with supporters of the president, but will also attract protesters.

The ceremony faces a double controversy of being the latest Trump event that critics say puts people at risk, unnecessarily, of spreading the coronavirus. Trump held a rally last month in Tulsa, Okla., and local officials and residents raised fears it could act as a super-spreader for the virus.

Gov. Kristi Noem has said social distancing and masks will both be optional -- although masks will be provided and there will be body temperature screening of attendees.

"Masks will be available, first off. They are not required but people will be able to have them if they don't have one with them when they come," he said. "And, I think that we have done a number of things to mitigate the spread of the COVID,”  South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg said on “Fox & Friends” Friday. “As you probably know, our state has not mandated these various policies that other states have. And, I think we are very proud of that and our numbers have remained low."

But Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender expressed skepticism about the precautions, and argued that attendees “are probably not likely to disqualify themself because they developed a cough the day of or the day before.”

Meanwhile, leaders of Native American tribes have expressed concern both about the coronavirus risk and renewed their grievances that the memorial itself is on land taken from the Lakota people. A number are expected to be part of protests near the landmark.

“Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy, of structural racism that’s still alive and well in society today,” Nick Tilsen, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe and the president of a local activist organization called NDN Collective, told The Associated Press. “It’s an injustice to actively steal Indigenous people’s land, then carve the white faces of the colonizers who committed genocide.”

It is not a new cause. The site was occupied by a group of Native American protesters in the 1970s. In 1980, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that that more than $100 million should be given in compensation to eight tribes

But those protests have been given renewed energy this year amid a backlash against national monuments by left-wing activists in the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody.

Independence Day should be a holiday that all Americans can celebrate together. It should be a uniting holiday.

However, many far left radicals are trying to disrupt President Trump's 4th of July celebrations.

Some are protesting because of accusations of racism. 

Others are angry about the takeover of Native American land centuries ago.

Videos posted on social media show protestors slashing tires and blocking the highways leading up to Mount Rushmore.

Despite protesters blocking access to Trump's Mount Rushmore event, the crowd is apparently filled to capacity.

Many are supporters of President Trump and are eager to hear him celebrate American greatness!

The Hill confirms that protesters are blocking the highway leading to the famous monument:

Protesters were seen on Friday blocking a highway in South Dakota ahead of President Trump’s appearance at Mount Rushmore for a July 4 celebration.

Demonstrators were seen gathering about three hours before Trump’s appearance, sparking warnings from authorities for them to clear the way.

Law enforcement was later seen putting on gas masks and launching smoke bombs into the crowd to try to disperse the protesters.

The July 4 celebration at Mount Rushmore has been mired in a string of controversies, sparking concerns over its health implications as well as drawing the ire of Indigenous groups.

Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said social distancing measures will not be enforced at the gathering, which is expected to draw about 7,500 people, raising concerns about community spread of the coronavirus as cases spike across the country.

“We will have a large event on July 3. We told those folks that have concerns that they can stay home, but those who want to come and join us, we’ll be giving out free face masks, if they choose to wear one. But we won’t be social distancing,” Noem said Monday in an interview on Fox News. “We’re asking them to come — be ready to celebrate, to enjoy the freedoms and the liberties that we have in this country.”

Indigenous tribes have also come out swinging against the event, which they say is being held on sacred land.

Protesters were seen holding signs reading, “You’re trespassing on our land.”

Fortunately, a few protesters will not stop President Trump from celebrating our great nation.

He is expected to deliver a fiery speech that celebrates American greatness shortly.

And of course, thank you to law enforcement for keeping the president AND his supporters safe!