‘Everybody deserves rights': Utahns hold protests, rallies across Wasatch Front
SALT LAKE CITY () — Several protests, demonstrations, and rallies were held across the Wasatch Front on Saturday, Feb. 8.
One of the largest protests started with hundreds of people gathering at the Utah State Capitol and marching through the streets of Salt Lake to show their support for their communities.
The demonstration was organized by , and the group encouraged participants to show their support for immigrants, the LQBTQ+ community, and women's reproductive rights. The march began as a grassroots movement, with many people at the march learning about it through word of mouth and social media.
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'I originally heard it on Tiktok. Screenshoted it. Posted it all over Instagram. Texted all of my friends,' protester Sophie McCoy told ABC4.com on Saturday.
After starting at the Capitol, protesters later marched down to Washington Square Park, where cars honked in support.
'It made me feel, honestly, touched to my heart,' protester Felipe Haugland said. 'Hate will never win and everybody deserves rights.'
A small group of people stood on the outskirts, silently showing their opposition to the march.
On that same day, people gathered at the — also known as the police brutality mural — at 300 West 900 South, at what may be one of the last vigils before the area is redeveloped. The murals feature the faces of people who were killed by police over the years, including Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.
'This needs to continue,' Floyd's uncle, . 'We have to build up people. We have to keep people's names heard, and this is… no better way keep their names heard, man, and keep it in that good, positive light.'
Also on Feb. 8, a as the community gathered in response to last week's .
In Provo, a group held a , with people decorating squares of fabric that were to be sewn into quilts for Sen. John Curtis and Sen. Mike Lee.
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