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Tulsa police union deletes controversial Facebook post comparing police at Vegas massacre with NFL player protests

President of Tulsa FOP says the controversial statement was ‘only showcasing the heroic acts’ of Las Vegas cops

Tulsa’s Fraternal Order of Police has deleted a controversial Facebook post that went viral this week with its reference to the Las Vegas massacre while alluding to the professional football players who have been involved in protests during the national anthem before games.

The now-deleted post read, “To the brave NFL players that ran into a hotel with an active sniper … Nevermind, those were police officers …”

It appeared on the FOP’s Facebook page at 8:49 p.m. Monday and garnered more than 100,000 views, 1,100 shares and 3,000 reactions before it disappeared late Wednesday morning.

FOP President Mark Secrist told the Tulsa World via email that the post spawned from a meme circulating on social media.

Its purpose was to promote the heroism displayed by police officers who responded to Sunday’s shooting rampage in Las Vegas after several weeks of criticism directed toward law enforcement, he said.

Secrist was referencing the silent protest by numerous NFL players who have opted to kneel, lock arms or not participate during pre-game national anthem performances to protest what they say is unequal treatment of blacks by police officers and inequities faced by people of color.

The protest surged after President Donald Trump urged NFL owners in a speech to “get that son of a b- off the field” when a player disrespects the U.S. flag.

Players say the protest isn’t about disrespecting the flag or military but rather systemic oppression they believe minorities face daily.

“The meme surfaced after several weeks of discussion on social media about the negative issue with NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem,” Secrist wrote. “We were only showcasing the heroic acts of our Brothers and Sisters in Las Vegas.”

The post, according to Secrist, received an “overwhelmingly” positive response. It also received considerable backlash, though the police union president said he expected negative comments.

Many accused the organization of willingly furthering the divide between Tulsa’s black community and law enforcement.

Others said the post exploited the shooting that left nearly 60 people dead and hundreds more injured.

One comment stated that the post shows that the police union hasn’t given “an iota of thought to the concerns of millions of people who care about police brutality.”

“I don’t know who is responsible for this, but you’ve set back the reputation and good will toward (the Tulsa Police Department) in the minds of the people who need to trust you the most,” the comment said.

Secrist acknowledged that the police union needs to do a better job of connecting with the community and reducing racial tensions, adding that improving relations is an ongoing goal.

He said the decision to delete the post was made because “we didn’t want attention drawn away from the terrible tragedy and other issues” affecting law enforcement.

Detroit police brace for dueling anthem protests at Lions game

Detroit Police said they’ll be ready for any rowdy activity on Sunday with dueling protests planned outside Ford Field over the Lions and the National Football League for taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem.

President Donald Trump supporters, led by Brian Pannebecker, 57, of Harrison Township, planned to protest at Ford Field before Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers to encourage a fan boycott over “the millionaire players and billionaire owners who show disrespect towards patriotic fans and our national anthem and flag," Pannebecker said

“It will include veterans and conservative patriots and we hope to be stationed at the four main entrances," he said.

Conversely, a group called the Metro Detroit Political Action Network said it will protest in support of the players and owners.

In a Facebook post, the group wrote: “Take a Knee against White Supremacy: Support our Detroit Lions 10/8.

In the post, the group went on to write: “Let’s show the Detroit Lions support by going to the game with posters of support: BLACK LIVES MATTER, WE SUPPORT THE LIONS, First Amendment Right, and Detroit Solidarity.’’

That group planned to assemble at Gate B.

Detroit Police spokesman Dan Danikowski said they’d be ready.

“There will be an adequate supply of police officers at the site,’’ said Danikowski. “If something should happen we will be able to act accordingly and will have enough officers at the scene.’’

At the Lions last home game against Atlanta, team owner Martha Firestone Ford locked arms with players and coaches. Some knelt while others stood arm-in-arm.

The demonstration drew the ire of Trump supporters, including Pannebecker, who is an hourly production worker at Ford’s Sterling Heights plant.