Salt Lake City, UT – In response to the not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin, protesters took to the streets here. Rallying at the Matheson Courthouse, over 200 activists and community members came together to express their outrage and frustration with the American justice system.
Salt Lake City, UT –African immigrant Victoria Sethunya will remain in Utah for now. On April 18, Sethunya appeared in immigration court, backed by 20 friends and local activists. Some wore signs taped to their chests saying “Justice for Victoria,” and “Return her passport.”
Salt Lake City, UT – Anti-war activists and students in Utah took their message directly to the U.S. government's doorstep on April 11 with a rally in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building.
Salt Lake City, UT – Trayvon Martin's death sparked outrage and also a movement to combat the racism that led to his murder at the hands of George Zimmerman. On the one-year anniversary of his death, Utahans met as part of that movement to both mourn his passing and learn about racism, police brutality and how to fight them.
Salt Lake City, UT – On Feb. 12, anti-war and international solidarity activist Jess Sundin visited Salt Lake City to lead a workshop entitled “Combating Male Chauvinism in the Revolutionary Movement.” The workshop was hosted by the Revolutionary Students Union and attended by students, activists and members of the community.
Salt Lake City, UT – State-sponsored repression and infiltration of anti-war groups is nothing new. But it can certainly take on new and particularly nasty forms, as Jess Sundin can tell you.
Salt Lake City, UT – In response to brutal attacks by Israeli forces on the Palestinian territory in Gaza, Salt Lake rallied in solidarity on Friday, Nov. 16. Protesters called for an end to the violence and the ongoing Israeli occupation.
Salt Lake City, UT – The October 7 Committee held a rally here, Oct. 7, against all U.S. wars at home and abroad. Over 100 people protested, holding signs and chanting.
Salt Lake City, UT – A dozen activists gathered at the Federal Building here, July 31, to demand the release of the Tinley Park 5. The Tinley Park 5 are anti-racist activists who were arrested and jailed after an alleged altercation with a white supremacy group, in Tinley Park – a suburb of Chicago.
Salt Lake City, UT – On July 25, members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) arrived at the Natural History Museum for their annual conference. ALEC is the brain trust behind the Arizona anti-immigrant law SB1070 and the Wisconsin union busting laws of Governor Scott Walker. Two dozen protesters confronted the lobbyists at the entrance of the ALEC conference. The action was organized by the Revolutionary Student Union, a group that is a member of the ALEC Welcoming Committee.
Salt Lake City, UT – On June 28, over two dozen activists gathered outside the Federal Building here to protest the war threats against Syria and Iran.
Salt Lake City, UT – It’s not every day that student activists crash birthday parties, but that is exactly what happened on June 14 at Salt Lake City Community College.
Salt Lake City, UT – Students, professors and the local community protested a move to close the cosmetology program at the Taylorsville campus of Salt Lake Community College on May 16.
Salt Lake City, UT – FBI agents are harassing anti-war and anti-NATO organizers as the big protest against the U.S.-led NATO military alliance approaches on Sunday, May 20, in Chicago. On May 11, Gregory Lucero’s mother awoke him in their family home, saying, “The FBI is here and would like to speak to you.” Lucero came downstairs to find three FBI agents, two white men and a white woman, who wanted to ask him questions about the upcoming protest against NATO.
Salt Lake City, UT – More than 1000 people marched through the streets of downtown here, March 31, with Trayvon Martin posters and peace signs waving. Marchers raised their fists in the air and shouted, “Justice for Trayvon, justice for everyone!”
Salt Lake City, UT – On March 9, six students from five clubs met with the Utah Valley University President Matthew Holland. The students were demanding the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in the school anti-discrimination policy. Students also want policy changes in hiring and education opportunity.
Salt Lake City, UT – Activists marched here in solidarity with Oakland’s general strike, Nov. 2. The marchers were angered by the extreme police brutality against peaceful demonstrators in Oakland, California.
Salt Lake City, Utah – Activists gathered here, July 16, for an emergency action outside the National Governors’ Association Conference, protesting the Grand America Hotel’s attack on immigrants. Last year Utah legislators passed SB 251, which requires all businesses with more than 15 employees to use the E-verify system to track workers. However, the Utah state government refused to include any penalties for businesses that refuse to use E-verify, in part because the politicians did not want to hurt big corporations that exploit immigrant labor. The Grand America Hotel bosses set a July 6 deadline for all of the employees. The bosses require that all workers reapply and either show the necessary documentation or face immediate termination. However, the bosses extended this deadline one month, to Aug. 6 in order to ensure staffing at the Governors’ Conference.
Salt Lake City, Utah – A group of students and anti-war activists protested a visit by Alvaro Uribe – Colombia’s former president here May 26. Zions Bank invited Uribe to speak at a Trade and Business Conference. Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch welcomed Uribe as he promoted a free trade agreement with the U.S., claiming human rights in Colombia are improved. The U.S. Congress and President Obama are unable to pass the free trade agreement due to the terrible human rights record of the Colombian government.