OKC Tax March challenges Trump to release all tax returns

Oklahoma City will join the national movement to demand President Trump release his tax returns with an April 15 to the IRS offices in downtown Oklahoma City.

Hundreds of residents, students, community organizers and advocates in Oklahoma City, 110 other U.S. cities, UK, Germany, Australia and Japan are uniting in a movement known as Tax March to demand transparency in government - starting with a demand that President Trump release his tax returns.

The OKC Tax March begins at Bicentennia Park (500 Couch Drive, OKC, 73102) at 12 noon Saturday, April 15. Marchers will walk five blocks to the IRS Offices at 55 N. Robinson Avenue, where they will rally and sing protest songs.

Although two pages of President Trump’s 2005 tax return were revealed in March, the documents created more questions than answers.

“During the campaign I doubted President Trump’s reasons for running,” began Melanie Herman, a participant in the National Tax March from Sacramento, Calif. “But after he won, I gave him the benefit of the doubt, trusting him to keep his word and release his taxes.” Herman flew to DC from Sacramento to stand on the sidewalk and watch the parade as she had for President Obama’s inauguration. Shortly thereafter, Kellyanne Conway made the public announcement that President Trump would never release his tax returns. Herman, like countless other Americans, was shocked by this announcement.

Organizers say this is why people all over the world will be marching on April 15.

Tax March is a “movement” in the national interest of all Americans, regardless of party affiliation. Government officials, starting with the president, should be honest with the public about financial ties. “Trust, conflicts of interest, and transparency are critical in government. Companies require disclosure of board memberships, stock purchases and patents, and dissent is grounds for termination," say organizers asking, “why is the highest office given this exemption?"

“Oklahomans of all political stripes believe in accountability. It is time for our president to show us where his money comes from, to whom he is indebted, and where he invests his money,” said Nadine Gallagher, co-organizer of the OKC Tax March. “We’ve heard from hundreds of people who are genuinely worried about President Trump’s foreign financial entanglements. Money talks, and since money seems to be the language the administration understands, let’s use this march to talk tax money.”

The Trump administration is under fire amid almost daily revelations of the president’s campaign ties to Russia and these revelations make it crucial that the president reveal his potential conflicts of interest. Nineteen states have introduced legislation to require presidential candidates to release tax returns and this is the chance for Oklahomans to weigh in.

The OKC Tax March is a grassroots effort not allied with any political party. For more information: www.taxmarch.org and www.facebook.com/OKCTaxMarch/

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Copyright The Gayly - 4/14/2017 @ 5:20 p.m. CST