TAHLEQUAH -- The Cherokee Nation Marshals Service is responding to security concerns raised by Congressman Markwayne Mullin’s social media post Tuesday night after he canceled his town hall event.
Congressman Mullin canceled the town hall event in Tahlequah 15 minutes before it was supposed to start. The event was being held at Sequoyah High School's auditorium.
The Cherokee Nation Marshals said they were in charge of ensuring not only the congressman’s security but also the security of those participating in the town hall. They say they provided adequate security for everyone.
"We had 16 personnel here and four of them were specifically assigned to a dignitary protection detail for the congressman," said Captain Danny Tanner, with the Cherokee Nation Marshals.
"We had evacuation routes set up and everything in place for the protesters if there were going to be any. I didn’t see any with signs or anything as it went, so we had everything in place,” said Tanner.
Congressman Mullin spoke with 2 Works For You over the phone Wednesday.
He said he canceled the event after learning a woman associated with the group "Indivisible" posted on her Facebook page encouraging people to get arrested at his event.
He said people like the woman have publicly posted his personal home address and he's received threatening statements in the mail.
"So, if they’re willing to do that, which they know that I’m gone 42 weeks out of the year, so the only person they’re protesting at that point is my wife and five kids—they’re willing to go that far, then I have to be willing to assume that they’re going to go the rest of the way to just what they said—do their best to get arrested and cause civil disorder," said Mullin.
Representative Mullin said he plans to reschedule the Tahlequah town hall event.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
