Latest news with #UtahMarch
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Defending my people': Immigrant advocates protest in Salt Lake City as national debate heats up
SALT LAKE CITY — Several hundred demonstrators waving U.S. and Mexican flags, holding signs blasting U.S. immigration authorities and chanting slogans of support for immigrants gathered in downtown Salt Lake City as the immigration debate across the country heats up. The Utah protestors, who gathered Thursday at Washington Square Park, referenced the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration in Los Angeles, which has prompted demonstrating there by immigrant advocates. 'We have to take notes from Los Angeles and unite as one,' said Jazz Dumas, of Utah March, one of the groups that organized the protest. Another demonstrator in attendance, pushing a child in a stroller, a Mexican flag draped around her shoulder, also alluded to the Los Angeles demonstrations. President Donald Trump attempted to deploy National Guard troops to quell the protest activity, prompting backlash from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and others, but a U.S. judge barred the action on Thursday, according to Reuters. 'I'm so proud of them for sticking up,' said the woman, who identified herself as Adriana. 'I'm proud of the the LA citizens for going out there and defending my people.' The protestors packed the northwest corner of Washington Square Park, where the Salt Lake City-County Building is located, and they were loud and boisterous. Organizers dubbed the protest 'From LA to SLC: ICE Out!' In a press briefing afterward, Salt Lake City police spokesman Brent Weisberg labeled the event 'unplanned' and said the crowd size reached an estimated 600. The demonstrators, who later marched through downtown Salt Lake City, were 'mostly peaceful,' he said. He reported a few 'agitators' in the group and said there were 'a few small skirmishes' in Washington Square Park. A Tesla received unspecified damage while the demonstrators marched through Salt Lake City, according to Weisberg, and that incident remains under investigation. In one of the skirmishes at Washington Square, a man wearing a shirt reading 'Trump is GOAT of presidents' blasted one of the speakers for talking in Spanish and shouted down the protesters. Several crowded around him, shouting back, and he eventually left. The tone of Thursday's protest was defiant, with speakers variously urging solidarity with immigrants and blasting immigration agents, police and the wealthy people perceived to be the ruling class. 'The real criminals are the billionaires who run this country and (exploit) the rest of us for their own profits. The real criminals are the racist police and the ICE forces who arrest us and deport us to keep us from demanding equal rights,' said Liz Maryon, with the Salt Lake Community Bail Fund. Among the many in the crowd was Seka Groves, of Salt Lake City, there with a group of other Native Americans. 'We're Northern Ute and Hopi, and we feel like it's important to stand up for our brothers and sisters, our cousins,' he said. He hopes a takeaway from the event is that even in a conservative state like Utah, 'there are still people that support immigrants and brown people.' Jodi Archer, of Lehi, there with two of her daughters, Eli and Gwen, said the Trump administration's moves to deploy the National Guard and Marines in support of the immigrant crackdown went too far. 'It's just out of control,' she said. The presence of immigrants in the country isn't 'something that's really ever bothered me. If they're not causing a problem, and they're contributing, they're working, I don't see any problem with people coming here.' Gwen Archer said everyone deserves dignity. 'Everyone is a human, and I think being from a country were we pledge justice for all, that's what I hope for, that's what I vote for, that's what I want in this country, in a country that's made of immigrants,' she said. The demonstrations in California and planned anti-Trump protests on Saturday across the country, including several set for Utah, have prompted hand-wringing among some Utah officials. They support the right of free speech and the right to protest, they say, but won't stand for violence. 'We ask everyone exercising these rights to use good judgment and remain peaceful,' the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement Thursday. 'Acts of violence, vandalism or any other criminal behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed immediately. We remain committed to safeguarding both the right to protest and the rule of law.' In light of the situation, nonessential employees at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City and the 4th District Courthouse in Provo were asked to stay home on Friday. Chris Palmer, director of security for Utah State Courts, said similar moves were implemented in 2020 in response to protesting that year. The anti-Trump demonstrations on Saturday, dubbed No Kings protests, are spearheaded by Indivisible, a group formed in opposition to Trump. They are scheduled to take place all across the country. Protests in Utah are scheduled for Logan, Ogden, Park City, Heber City, Provo, Moab, Boulder, Price, Ephraim, Bluff, Cedar City, St. George and Kanab, according to the No Kings website. Two protests are set for Salt Lake City, at Pioneer Park and on the University of Utah campus. Contributed: Daniel Woodruff
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Utah activists from several groups unite in organizing efforts
SALT LAKE CITY () — In the wake of recent protests, several organizations came together in Salt Lake City on Sunday evening for a panel discussion on how demonstrators can work toward a common goal. The panel was made up of representatives from five grassroots organizations: , , , , and . Panelists discussed how their respective groups can collaborate and work together, despite the groups' differences. Father of 3 endures 10 years of organ transplants 'The more of us that can unite, the more of us that can find things that we agree upon that we can fight together on, that's where change happens,' Tasia Roth, organizer of Utah March, said. The event was held at Ken Sanders Rare Books in downtown Salt Lake, and Store Manager Natalie Corey told about one of the duties of bookstores. 'Bookstores in SLC have a duty to the people that they provide knowledge to, and we understand that enough that we're here to serve our community,' Corey said. Ken Sanders Rare Books has long strived to provide a space where these groups can come together and organize. 'You see all kinds of people represented here. These people exist in our state, despite their not being represented in the state majority,' Corey said. 'These people have voice, they have words that are deserving to be heard.' Corey went on to say that Sunday's panel brought a value that goes beyond just one rally or demonstration. She said it helped people create a space to 'step outside' themselves and have a better understanding about the world. More information about the groups that were represented at the panel is included below: The Food Justice Coalition is a group that helps deliver ready-to-eat meals while working to fight food insecurity in Utah. Nuanua Collective focuses on supporting the LGBTQ+ community and indigenous people. Utah March says it marches 'For Human Rights,' while Mormons with Hope aims to '' through the work of activists and organizers who are part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Salt Lake Democratic Socialists focuses on working toward 'an inclusive and democratic society.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Yahoo
Protester struck by vehicle during large demonstration in SLC, no arrests made yet
SALT LAKE CITY () — The and event organizers confirmed that one person was struck by a vehicle during a large demonstration in Salt Lake on Saturday, Feb. 8. The protester was hit by a vehicle near 350 South State Street, according to police. No identifying information about the protester has been released, and no arrests have been made in connection to the incident. The investigation is ongoing. Emilee Dekle, the lead communications liaison for — the group that organized — said team members witnessed the incident and tended to the protester until medical personnel arrived. 'Everybody deserves rights': Utahns hold protests, rallies across Wasatch Front 'We've been in communication with her since then, and we are very happy to say that she is safe and she left with very minor, short-term injuries, and she'll have a very safe and speedy recovery,' Dekle told Other event organizers said the protester who was hit by the vehicle was heading to the hospital on Sunday for a full evaluation. According to police, the protest on Saturday — which started at the Utah State Capitol and included a march down to Washington Park — had about 1,100 people in attendance. 'We had no idea how big it would be,' Dekle said. 'We were very shocked by the outcome, but it gave us a lot of motivation to keep moving forward.' Dekle said that organizers with Utah March had a risk management team and a de-escalation team at the demonstration, in addition to the measures put in place by police. The event was permitted, and SLCPD coordinated with the Utah Highway Patrol to implement traffic control and other safety measures. 'Unlawful vehicle activity, including reckless driving and failure to comply with police orders, may result in citations or arrest,' police said in a press release. Drivers and community members who are not involved with demonstrations have been advised to avoid areas where traffic control measures are implemented, to ensure the safety of the public and others involved. 'The SLCPD urges demonstrators to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and mindful of public safety,' police said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
