Salt Lake City, UT – On April 20, about three hours after killer cop Derek Chauvin’s triple guilty verdict, hundreds of people gathered, relieved to hear the verdict and motivated to demand further action in combating police crimes. Marching in solidarity with Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, and many other cities around the country, the people of Salt Lake City demanded further action and accountability for the entire policing system that terrorizes our communities.

Starting from the Salt Lake Public Safety Building and marching to the Victims of Police Brutality murals, a community memorial depicting many of those in Utah who have lost their lives due to police violence, as well as George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. There, protesters chanted and heard from speakers calling for further action.

Led by Black Lives Matter Utah, Utah Against Police Brutality, and additionally, Salt Lake Equal Rights Movement, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, there were many community leaders and organizers present. The demands were for community control of the police, further accountability for all killer cops, and justice for all victims of police violence, local and across the nation.

Speaking at the beginning of the event, a community organizer captured the feeling of the crowd, saying “I think it’s a real shame that it’s 2021 and we are celebrating this [verdict] because it’s that unusual.”

This guilty verdict is indeed a victory; however, it is long overdue. Other speakers made it clear where the credit belongs. Local radio host, Billy Palmer of 90.9 KRCL, reminded the gathered crowd that “mobilizing is what works. We wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t taken to the streets,” and encouraged those present not to lose momentum, saying “this is the door opening, this is the beginning.” This protest was a celebration for all those devoted to and organizing for the betterment of our communities, but more importantly a call that more has to be done, to continue to strive to achieve true justice in the full.

In a written piece presented to the crowd gathered at the murals, Golda Barton stated that “we must act on behalf of those who did not survive.” Barton, mother of Linden Cameron, a 13 year-old autistic boy who was shot 14 times by Salt Lake City police during a mental health crisis call, is no stranger to the trauma police can inflict on families and communities, having lost her father to police violence hardly a year earlier. Fortunately, Cameron survived his encounter with police, but the ramifications will be lifelong in impact. Barton finished her statement saying “there is no debate on what’s right and what’s wrong, this has gone on far too long!”

The fight is on for community control of the police. As a member of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which has been building the community control movement since the 1970s, Carly Bultez, speaking for Utah Against Police Brutality and Freedom Road Socialist Organization, said “it’s a democratic right to determine the future of our communities. It’s a democratic right for us to say what public safety looks like in our communities.”

#SaltLakeCityUT #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

Salt Lake City, UT – Protesters gathered in front of Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill’s office, July 8, to demand justice for Bryan Valencia and Chad Breinholt and all victims of police violence. Protesters chanted, “Justice for Chad Breinholt!” and “Justice for Bryan Valencia,” as posters with the same demands were hung on the DA’s office building.

Utah Against Police Brutality (UAPB) called the rally to bring attention to these two local cases that have not had the same spotlight as some other local and national police killings.

Breinholt was killed by West Valley City police inside of West Valley City Hall on August 23, 2019. He had his hands cuffed behind his back when he was killed. The officer who killed Breinholt said, “You’re about to die, my friend,” before firing the fatal shot. The officer had previously used lethal force in at least two other cases.

Breinholt’s family have waited for nearly a year for the investigation by Salt Lake Police Department and the district attorney to be concluded.

“These police killings have gone on for far too long with no resolution or closure for the family of these victims,” Breinholt’s family said in a statement. “The time is now, right now, to ensure that officers are held accountable and families of their victims get justice.”

Bryan Pena Valencia was killed by cops from the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake on March 21 of this year after he crashed his car and was pursued on foot. Since his death, Valencia’s family has been left with many unanswered questions. Adding salt to the wound was the revelation that there was no bodycam footage from officers who pursued and killed Valencia that morning.

The family was told that there was some video from other responding officers, but they have still not received even that footage.

“It has been too long. We need justice,” Valencia’s family said in a statement. “We are left without answers. His son needs answers and we all need peace. No family should have to wait this long for the truth.”

Speakers from Justice for Cody and Justice for Bernardo echoed the call for justice for all victims of police brutality and condemned the lack of accountability for killer cops. Representatives from Insurgence USA and For the People SLC also spoke in support of the demands made by families and the struggle for justice against racist police.

#SaltLakeCityUT #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

Salt Lake City, UT – Thursday, June 4 marks the sixth night in a row that downtown streets in Salt Lake City has been shut down due to protests for justice for George Floyd, Bernardo Palacios and all victims of police violence. After five strong days of protesting, chanting and marching against police brutality and its many victims, it does not appear that the nationwide movement will be losing any steam here in Utah.

At least 700 people gathered at the State Capitol June 4 in what started as a quiet gathering of speakers that turned into a march through downtown of about 2000. After a few short speeches and chants of “Say his name” and “Black lives matter” the crowd took to State Street and quickly filled the road for a whole block. The march was not originally planned but as the crowd grew in numbers it became clear that taking the streets to make sure their message was heard, was not only possible, but necessary.

With most walking, and a few driving, chanting from the back of pickup trucks or through open sunroofs, the march made strategic stops in front of the mayor’s office, police station and courthouse before heading back to the capitol well after 9 p.m. At each stop different chants muted the noise of the city until an organizer called for nine minutes of silence while everyone lay face down in the road.

Since the National Day of Protest called by Utah Against Police Brutality on May 30, many organizations have stepped up in leading events and holding many different actions to call for justice, not only for George Floyd, but also for local Rose Park resident Bernardo Palacios, who was murdered by Salt Lake City police on May 28. Many familiar faces have been out every single night, but each night also brings new protesters using their voice.

“It’s been incredibly moving, especially being surrounded by the calls for justice,” exclaimed Elizabeth Flemming who was participating in her first ever protest.

With thousands taking the streets each night, and more events planned throughout the coming week, it is clear that Utah protesters won't stop soon and continue to demand an end to police violence and for killer cops to be jailed.

#SaltLakeCityUT #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #ChicanoLatino #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #PoliceCrimes #MinneapolisUprising

Salt Lake City, UT – Since the May 30 National Day of Protest action here, led by Utah Against Police Brutality, demonstrations in Salt Lake City have continued every day, with hundreds in the streets demanding justice for the killing of all victims of police violence, like of George Floyd from Minneapolis and Bernardo Palacios from Rose Park, Utah. Protests have continued even with a strict 8 p.m. curfew issued by Mayor Erin Mendenhall enforced by armed police and National Guard troops with armored vehicles.

On June 1, people stayed in the streets, marching well past curfew. One group of 200 was corralled by police on South Temple at 9:30 p.m. Protesters chanted “No justice no peace, no racist police,” and told each other that staying united and fighting back is the only path to justice for victims of police crimes.

“If we stay together, we go to jail together,” the group chanted. “We came together, we go together!”

Police geared up to make arrests, but protesters stood firmly together, marched through the police line and escaped arrest.

Protesters have consistently demanded justice for Palacios, who was killed just over a week ago in Salt Lake City. Palacios' family has a petition with over 12,000 signatures demanding release of body camera footage related to his death. They are also demanding that police be held accountable for their violent murder.

Mayor Mendenhall has worked hand and hand with the police and National Guard to enforce the curfew, which will last all week. Police have stepped up political repression as well, with at least 61 arrests so far.

Utah Against Police Brutality has raised nearly $60,000 to support those who have been arrested.

As of May 3, multiple protests took place demanding justice for George Floyd. About 2000 protesters marched from city hall. Stopping at the police station, they lay down and had eight minutes of silence for George Floyd, then marched through the city to the University of Utah campus. A second demonstration of 200 protested at the Utah State Capitol building.

“We must continue to struggle against the police violence and repression facing our city,” said UAPB organizer Dave Newlin.

More protests are planned for Thursday June 4 and Friday, June 5. Students for a Democratic Society University of Utah is planning a protest for Saturday, June 7 https://facebook.com/events/s/defund-uofu-police-car-caravan/736182163790349/?ti=cl

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #BlackLivesMatter #BernardoPalacios #MayorMendenhall

Salt Lake City, UT – Thousands of people gathered May 30 for the National Day of Protest to demand justice for George Floyd, as well as for Bernardo Palacios, who was brutally killed by SLCPD in Salt Lake a week before.

Hundreds of cars protesting with the car caravan choked the downtown area for hours beginning at 11 a.m., while many more marched throughout the city, from the police headquarters to the state capitol. The police were not able to respond because the car caravan protesters had blocked police from leaving the station. The demands made were for justice in the face of continued racist police killings, as well as community control of the police.

People continued to march after the car caravan through the city for over nine hours, from the police station to the state capitol building and throughout the city. They chanted in the streets and from their cars, occupying intersections.

Demonstrators were met with cops from 13 nearby cities as well as the National Guard. They used rubber bullets, shields and batons on protesters. 41 protesters were arrested. Organizers were on the ground providing medical assistance and treating those wounded by riot cops’ rubber bullets. No city EMT or medic had been dispatched. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a night and day curfew for all of Salt Lake City from 8 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Monday.

The mayor issued a statement to demonstrators saying, “This is not what justice looks like.” Utah Against Police Brutality responded in a statement released to the media that said, “This is what happens when elected officials, police departments, and ‘leaders’ ignore the constant call for justice in the U.S. This is what happens when the people get tired of waiting for Salt Lake and Utah to do something about racist cops and police violence. This is what happens when they refuse to listen, refuse to reform, refuse to hold officers accountable, and refuse to do what has been asked of them over and over again. This is what happens when police target Black and brown people and communities for years with no consequence.”

Carly Haldeman of UAPB stated, “Justice looks like cops in jail, justice looks like an end to institutional racism, mass incarceration, and extrajudicial killings. We need community control of the police to hold police officers accountable for their violent actions like assault, murder, torture and racial profiling.”

#SaltLakeCityUT #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #ChicanoLatino #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #MinneapolisUprising

The country has been riven by the murder of Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee directly on Floyd’s neck while he struggled for air and said repeatedly that he couldn’t breathe. The murder was caught on film, and as a result, more than 20,000 people took to the streets of Minneapolis May 26 to demand justice, only to be met with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Far fewer people have heard of Bernardo Palacios, shot dead over the weekend by the Salt Lake City Police Department. Officials have so far refused to release any details about the killing, other than claiming vaguely that police were responding to reports that someone in the area had been threatened with a gun.

In response, Utah Against Police Brutality is holding a car caravan protest around the downtown police station. They are demanding the immediate release of any footage showing Palacios’ killing, as well as justice for Floyd. In addition, they demand the release of incarcerated people at risk of covid-19. Above all, they are demanding justice for all the people killed by SLCPD through community control of the police.

The protest will take place Saturday morning. Those interested in attending can gather at the parking lot near 5th South and Denver Avenue at 11 a.m. The caravan will then circle the block surrounding the downtown police station.

More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/574385733215704.

#SaltLakeCityUT #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #ChicanoLatino #PuertoRico #PoliceBrutality #RacismInTheCriminalJusticeSystem #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #NationalAllianceAgainstRacistAndPoliticalRepression #NationalDayOfProtest

“Not only do we have killings nationwide, we have them here, police killings continue everywhere,” said UAPB organizer Deb Blake, who emceed the event. “We know that police violence comes in many forms. We saw that recently with the attack on the Inland Port protesters.”

Last July, activists held a sit-in at the offices Derek Miller, who is both chairman of the Inland Port Authority board and the local Chamber of Commerce. They demanded an end to the proposed Inland Port project, which would exacerbate Salt Lake County’s already poor air quality, which is some of the worst in the country.

Police shoved, punched, and strangled protesters. Utah Governor Gary Herbert called the protesters “borderline terrorists.”

“From the inception of the inland port, this has been nothing but a money grab. It’s been completely against the will of the people since day one,” said Lou-Michél McKee, an organizer with the group Civil Riot. “They characterize us as being terrorists, as being the violent ones, yet they’re destroying our land.”

Marvin Oliveros, brother of Cody Belgard, who was killed by police last year, spoke on understanding the families affected by police violence. He led a chant calling for justice for the victims of police murders and their mothers.

“They create all these hurdles to get answers. [Cody Belgard] was unarmed, and a cop chose to yell ‘he has a gun.’ We know he didn’t have a gun.”

UAPB organizer and Freedom Road Socialist Organization member Dave Newlin demanded that charges be dropped against the peaceful protesters.

“They want to take these 14 people and hang them,” he said. They want to make an example out of them, they want to silence them. They want to show to everybody else that they have the power and we don't. But they're wrong, we have the power.”

The rally closed with a call to attend the refounding of the National Alliance against Racist and Pollical Repression conference in Chicago. UAPB presented a video on the conference by Frank Chapman and Angela Davis to the crowd. After the rally, people discussed their plans for the conference, and more made the decision to attend.

“The whole point of refounding the NAARPR is to defend people just like me and all the other Inland Port protesters who are being silenced and repressed,” Newlin said. “It exists to challenge and ultimately defeat the rule of big money, racist politicians, and their corrupt lackeys, the police. Anyone who wants to fight the brutality of capitalist policing – anyone who really wants to win – should be there in Chicago this November.”

#SaltLakeCityUT #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

At the Inland Port protest, police responded to protesters with violence, pushing and shoving community members, including those in the designated ADA section, injuring protesters and making multiple arrests.

Psarah Johnson, chairwoman of the Disability Rights Action Committee, said she was recording a video when Deb Blake of UAPB, who is undergoing cancer treatment, was assaulted. Blake had revealed the site of a medical port on her chest to an officer whose response was to shove her on the site with enough force to break the pin she was wearing on her shirt that day. Johnson recalled that it was then when another officer “grabbed me by the shoulders and threw me to the ground.” A fellow protester helped Johnson back to her feet, and the same officer threw her to the ground again. Blake, who also spoke at the rally went on to say, “Because of politician’s callous comments, because Governor Herbert publicly declared this act borderline terrorism, they have put targets on our heads.”

Dave Newlin, an organizer of UAPB, was punched in the face repeatedly by police as he was defending others at the protest on July 9, “Our community is fighting for peace. At the Inland Port protest two weeks ago, and here at this rally, today.”

Newlin went on to explain that, “peace can never be achieved while brutal police forces are only too willing to intimidate and use violence to try to suppress and silence community members fighting for justice. Through their actions, it has been made clear to us that the police are not interested in the well-being and safety of our communities, and the actions they will take in defense of ‘private property’ and profit, including their unapologetic brutalization of unarmed and non-violent community members who dare to speak out, is shameful.”

UAPB demands that all charges be dropped against the protesters, an end to all retaliation and political repression by local officials and law enforcement, and for community control of the police.

#SaltLakeCityUT #OppressedNationalities #PeoplesStruggles #AfricanAmerican #ChicanoLatino #IndigenousPeoples #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #InlandPort

Salt Lake City, UT – Cody Belgard was a protector, a gentle man, a talented emcee, a loving and playful father, a loyal brother. These are just some of the ways family members described Belgard as they mourned his death at the hands of a Salt Lake City officer, who shot him in the back.

Despite cold rain and even a few flakes of snow, they stood in front of a Salt Lake City Police Department station, along with more than 50 supporters, on November 17 to demand answers: What happened? Why did offices shoot? What ‘altercation’ occurred? Where is the footage? Why did police wait for days before allowing the family to view his body? Where is the justice for Cody?

The rally was organized by Utah Against Police Brutality (UAPB), the Rose Park Brown Berets, and the family.

“My brother didn’t deserve to be shot,” said sister Sena Belgard. “He was unarmed. He was shot in the back. Nobody deserves to be killed that way.”

Police have not offered any information about the shooting itself, only saying in a statement that “due to his actions shots were fired.”

SLCPD claims that Belgard “rammed” a police car and then fled earlier on the night of the shooting. The department says he was “noncompliant” when they approached him later. However, they refuse to offer explanations for why he was stopped and pursued in the first place.

Nomi Armijo, a witness near the shooting and friend of Belgard, told the Salt Lake Tribune that she saw Belgard walking near her home, carrying nothing, shortly before he was shot. An officer with his gun drawn then approached Armijo and demanded she “Stay in the car, don’t move.” A police vehicle with no lights or sirens then sped by.

Moments later, Belgard was shot in the back.

“How do you have an altercation with somebody when their back is turned?” Sena Belgard asked. “I’ve seen his body. There were only shots in his back.”

Belgard was also a well-known emcee in Salt Lake’s hip-hop scene, known as SEE-SMOKE. His rhymes often focused on life on west side of the of the city. Rally attendees paused to listen to one of his tracks, his now-silenced voice echoing around the buildings and streets he had loved.

Utah Against Police Brutality organizer Dave Newlin demanded that the city adopt the group’s proposed ordinance, which would give control over police back to the people through an independent, elected oversight board. The Salt Lake Civilian Police Accountability Council (SLCPAC) could investigate shootings like Belgard’s and fire officers who kill people. The SLCPAC would also have broad authority to investigate and discipline police for all forms of misconduct, as well as take residents’ complaints, release body camera footage and other records to the public and reject bad departmental policies.

The shooting is currently being investigated by the nearby West Valley City Police Department, the most notoriously corrupt agency in the valley. West Valley City Police Department’s narcotics unit was disbanded in 2013 when they were found to be stealing money from crime scenes and mishandling evidence, leading to more than 100 cases being thrown out. It has since been reinstated.

More recently, West Valley police killed Elijah Smith, who was raising his hands in the air when an officer shot him.

Brown Berets organizer Anthony Fierro specifically called out Salt Lake City Council member James Rogers, who represents the Rose Park area of the city, where Belgard lived and ultimately died. Rogers recently voted to spend roughly $6 million to hire new police officers, and he has welcomed increased police presence in Rose Park as the neighborhood begins to gentrify. Fierro called on Rogers to start supporting community control and asked residents to contact Rogers and bring up SLCPAC at local council meetings.

“Ultimately, we need to take power back for yourselves,” said Nick Godfrey, a labor organizer and member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “That’s what SLCPAC is about. These cops can’t just investigate themselves and declare themselves innocent.”

Longtime family friend Marvin Oliveros connected the shooting to misplaced police priorities and needless criminalization of marginalized people.

“They continue to get more funding to hire more police officers to criminalize addicts, to criminalize homelessness, and to criminalize the general public – and anything they deem in opposition to their goals,” Oliveros said.

UAPB organizer Deb Blake said that the group will continue to stand by Cody Belgard and his family for the long term to demand and ultimately win justice.

#SaltLakeCityUT #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #CodyBelgard #SLCPD

West Valley City, UT – Police have been silent since they released footage of Elijah Smith’s murder at the hands of a trigger-happy cop, but there was no silence May 3 as protesters took over the West Valley City Police Department lobby. For two solid hours, chants of “Justice for Elijah!” and “Community control now!” filled every inch of the small space, and when protesters could chant no longer, they shared stories about why they fight police violence and talked about what they think community control should look like.

Behind a counter with glass windows, cops remorselessly laughed and played on their phones while organizers called for justice and explained the long history of WVCPD’s violence and corruption to the crowd. One officer raised his hands in the air and made a disgraceful mocking face while more than 20 people chanted “Hands up! Don’t shoot!.”

UAPB organizer Carly Halderman refused to accept the cops’ disrespectful attitude and pounded on the glass as she yelled “Black lives matter!” She kept everyone’s energy focused and elevated for the remainder of the sit-in, leading chants and telling those gathered that we need an independent, democratic body to oversee and investigate police.

Elijah Smith, an African American, was murdered April 8 while seeking refuge from police who chased him as they searched for a suspect in an alleged robbery. Officials from the department say Smith matched the description of the suspect, though they have not specified exactly what that description was. His family believes that he ‘matched the description’ only because of the color of his skin.

As he fled in fear from a department known for its corruption, Smith entered two houses in the area of 3400 South and Redwood Road. Three WVC officers followed Smith into the second home, where an officer shot and killed him while he tried to comply with their orders to raise his hands. Officials say he ‘rapidly’ raised his right hand. Three unattended young children were present inside the home. Smith died at the scene.

UAPB organizer Jacob Jensen demanded to hear from WVCPD Chief Colleen Jacobs. He pointed out that WVCPD officers simultaneously shot Smith and deployed a Taser, and demanded to know which officer acted correctly.

“They can’t both be right,” Jensen said. “If the cop who used a less-than-lethal method was correct, then the cop who killed Elijah was wrong.”

Chief Jacobs refused to appear and meet with demonstrators.

Organizers said they aren’t done yet and plan on leading more actions until the killer cop is named, fired, charged and jailed.

#WestValleyCityUT #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

West Valley City, UT – It was Elijah Smith’s smile that came up again and again, April 14, as roughly 75 protesters gathered to demand justice for the young Black man murdered by West Valley City police exactly one week earlier. It was a smile that caught everyone’s attention and brought light and levity to all who saw it, according to his friends and family. It was a smile that no one will have the privilege of seeing again due to the racist, corrupt, and violent practices of the West Valley City police department.

“He was always the one who was lifting other people up,” said Smith’s mother, Roshawna Carter, at a press conference before the rally.

Teamsters from Local 222 and organizers from Utah Against Police Brutality (UAPB) called the rally on the steps of city hall in West Valley. Smith was a Teamster who worked at the local UPS hub until recently. Protesters demanded the officers involved in the killing be fired and that the murdering officer be jailed. They also called for the release of body camera footage of the murder and community control of Utah’s police.

They chanted “No justice, no peace, no racist police!” “Release the footage!” and “Community control now!” as they mourned the loss of beloved Elijah.

“Something needs to be done about this and quick,” said Willie Townsend, Elijah’s grandfather, at the press conference. “We are tired of running. We are tired of hiding. We are tired. We are suffering.” Townsend also called for the officer who killed Elijah to be jailed.

Smith was murdered while seeking refuge from police who chased him as they searched for a suspect in an alleged robbery. Officials from the department say Smith matched the description of the suspect, though they have not specified exactly what that description was. His family believes that he ‘matched the description’ only because of the color of his skin.

As he fled in fear from a department known for its corruption, Smith entered two houses in the area of 3400 South and Redwood Road. Three WVC officers followed Smith into the second home, where an officer shot and killed him. Three unattended young children were present inside the home. Smith died at the scene.

Smith’s cousin, Monte Brown, told the crowd about how they used to make music together. Smith dreamed of success as a rapper. Brown also mentioned that they had more than one conversation about how they, as young Black men, feared racist police.

“I want justice for my cousin and my family,” he said. “Because this wasn’t right.”

UAPB organizer Dave Newlin spoke about the long criminal history of the West Valley City police department (WVCPD), including the 2012 murder of Danielle Willard by officer Shawn Cowley and the disbanded drug unit that was found to have stolen drugs and money, as well as mishandling evidence. Over 100 cases have been thrown out due to the illegal practices of drug unit officers. No officers were fired as a result. The unit has since been recreated.

“They are the absolute epitome of everything that is wrong with policing in the state of Utah and in the U.S.,” Newlin said. “This is one of the most corrupt, violent and awful police departments in the state of Utah and I want to make sure we don’t forget that.”

WVC cops have recently committed several other acts of brutality. One officer shot the teenage driver of a car in mid-March. Police officials say the car had “lurched” forward as the officer approached it. No footage or further information has been released regarding the incident.

WVCPD officers also invaded the home of a grieving family in late February. A young couple’s baby had died at a local hospital just hours before. When a family member refused to let the officers into the home as they recovered from their loss, the officers kicked down the door, assaulted several people inside, used pepper spray on family members, and illegally searched the home. Family members released footage of the incident they had recorded as it occurred. The two officers who committed the assaults have been reassigned but not fired.

“We’re tired of watching this happen, coming home to this news, and feeling this way about the city we live in,” said Francesca Ball, an organizer with Utah Against Police Brutality. “We are here for each other, and we want the community to have control now. Community control now! We will fight for it until you give it to us.”

UAPB organizer Deborah Blake demanded body camera footage be released immediately.

“We want the footage released before it is doctored and edited to fit their narrative,” she said. “The family deserves to know what happened. We the public demand it. That’s our footage.”

After the rally ended, a half-dozen WVCPD officers exited city hall and walked to their vehicles. The remaining protesters spontaneously gathered again to shout “No more racist police!” “Murderers!” and “Justice for Elijah!”

#WestValleyCityUT #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #ElijahSmith #TeamstersLocal222

Salt Lake City, UT – Heavy winds blew and rain fell on Utah anti-police-brutality activists, April 8, but they stood defiant, refusing to let weather dilute their message that prosecutors must drop the ridiculous charges against Abdullahi “Abdi” Mohamed, who was shot and paralyzed by Salt Lake City police last year.

Passersby could hear the chanting from two dozen people for blocks near the downtown Matheson courthouse, where Utah Against Police Brutality (UAPB) staged the protest. “From Jacksonville to SLC, end police brutality!” rang out along with calls for “Community control now!”

Police paralyzed Mohamed, a Somali refugee, on Feb. 27, 2016 during an altercation between the then-17-year-old boy and another man. They claim Mohamed was holding a ‘weapon,’ which turned out to be a hollow broom handle. Officers Kory Checketts and Jordan Winegar fired on him without any indication that he was a threat or that he had heard or understood them. Barely 15 seconds had passed before officers shot the youth four times.

Police later claimed he was trying to sell $1.10 worth of drugs. District Attorney Sim Gill has charged Abdi, who is now 19, in juvenile court with first-degree felony robbery and second-degree felony possession of drugs with intent to distribute. The DA has said publicly he hopes to move the case to adult court. Gill also declared the shooting “justified,” even though a civilian review board found the incident was “not within policy.”

UAPB has campaigned over the last year for body camera footage to be released, for the charges to be dropped, and for Gill’s resignation. Body camera footage was eventually released, but officials continue their relentless pursuit in punishing a survivor of police brutality who may never walk again.

“As a community, it is up to us to hold police and ICE accountable for the constant dehumanization of Black and brown immigrants,” activist Adrian Romero told the crowd. “We must continue to demand justice for Abdi Mohamed, and all others like him who suffer as a result of the racist, xenophobic institution that is American law enforcement.”

Jessica Arter led the rally in a chant, “Hey Sim Gill, can’t you see? Stop attacking refugees.” She also mentioned the previous day’s act of brutality by cops in Jacksonville, Florida, where peaceful anti-war protesters were viciously attacked by provocateurs, but police arrested five protesters and did nothing about the attackers.

“We have to take a stand for everyone under attack from police violence,” said UAPB organizer Ian De Oliveria, of UAPB.

Damon Harris of Cop Watch spoke on other recent victims of police violence in Utah, including Dillon Taylor, Darrian Hunt and James Barker, outlining the vast differences between what police say happened and what footage of the events show.

The raucous crowd also called loudly for “community control now,” and for the creation of a new, independent civilian review board that, unlike the currently toothless body, would have the power to indict offers. UAPD is modeling its demand on Chicago's campaign for the Civilian Police Accountability Council.

#SaltLakeCityUT #PeoplesStruggles #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

Salt Lake City, UT – Utah activists rallied at Washington Square, July 31, to address the recent attacks on the Fourth Amendment and demand a Community Controlled Police Review Board to curb police crimes. Organizers called the rally in response to the Supreme Court decision in Strieff v. Utah, which makes it legal for the state to prosecute individuals using illegally obtained evidence.

Though rain initially threatened the event, 50 people nevertheless came out to hear the ACLU’s Anna Brower talk about the importance of the Court’s decision. She explained that Edward Streiff was stopped by South Salt Lake police after leaving a home that was under investigation for possible ‘narcotics activity.’ This type of stop is unlawful because he was not observed committing any crime.

After making the stop, the officer checked Streiff’s record and found that he had a warrant for his arrest due to a minor traffic violation. The cop arrested Streiff, and conducted a search in which he found methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia.

Streiff later sued the state of Utah because he believed that the illegal stop should have made the evidence against him inadmissible. Ignoring logic, legal precedent and basic human rights, the Supreme Court disagreed with Streiff and ruled that the illegally-obtained evidence could be used against him.

Legal experts believe the case opens the door for police to conduct random stops without regard for the law. In her dissent, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said “it is no secret that people of color are disproportionate victims of this type of scrutiny.”

Brower thanked Utah Against Police Brutality and CopWatch – who organized the event along with the ACLU – for their grassroots organizing and said the ACLU’s work is greatly helped by Salt Lake’s strong community of activists.

Cheryl Stout, an organizer with CopWatch, encouraged people to post videos of police misconduct and brutality onto the group’s Facebook page. She told the crowd that watching or filming the cops can be intimidating and the best way to stay safe is to do it as a group.

Utah Against Police Brutality’s Carly Haldeman emphasized the need for a Community Controlled Police Review Board in Salt Lake City to hold police accountable for their killings, brutality and other misconduct. The city’s current Civilian Review Board is completely ineffective, partly because its members are appointed by the mayor and are not democratically elected, and because they have no power to subpoena evidence from the police, she said.

Haldeman pointed to the case of Abdi Mohamed, who was shot by the police in Salt Lake City. Despite months of protest by the community, District Attorney Sim Gill and police officials have refused to release the body camera footage of his shooting.

“The police are stalling and counting on us to become frustrated and complacent with the current system,” she said, pointing out that a democratically-elected police review board with real power – like the power to subpoena evidence and punish officers – is the only way to bring about justice.

District Attorney Gill has repeatedly found police justified in killing Utahans despite evidence that shootings were unnecessary, or were racially motivated. He has also refused to file or has prematurely dropped criminal charges against officers who were found to have killed unjustifiably, such as with former West Valley City police officer Shawn Cowley, who killed Danielle Willard in 2012.

Utah Against Police Brutality (UAPB) organizer Stephen Christian thanked the crowd for attending and commended organizers for putting the event together. He also encouraged people to come to the next UAPB meeting on Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 3 of the Salt Lake City Library. The discussion there will focus on creating a plan to fight for a Community Controlled Police Review Board.

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #Copwatch

Salt Lake City, UT – 1000 people rallied and marched Feb 29, demanding justice for Abdullahi Omar Mohamed, who was shot and severely injured the night of Feb. 27, near the homeless shelter. Abdi Mohamed, a 17-year-old Black youth, engaged in a confrontation with a much older white man. Mohamed had an aluminum broom stick when the police arrived. They demanded he drop the broomstick and before he had a chance to comply they shot him multiple times. This sparked a rebellion among the homeless who clashed with police, resulting in 100 officers, many in riot gear, clearing the street.

Utah Against Police Brutality called for the Feb. 29 emergency action at the Federal Building. Organizer Carly Haldeman explained, “This issue isn't just about one boy, our city, or this state. This is a national problem.” The rally included many speakers, including the families of past victims of police violence and the family of Mohamed.

Ricky Bonack, a local activist, urged the crowd to continue fighting. “Revolution is not liking a status on Facebook.” He added, “It's time to get live, it's time to represent, Salt Lake City what time is it?”

Michael Christian from Utah Against Police Brutality criticized the interim police chief, stating, “Not too many weeks ago interim Police Chief Brown assured us that the SLPD was on top of things and decreasing the use of force. However, not even two weeks later, any hope that the SLPD could be trusted was lost.”

Gabriella Kilpack spoke about living right next to the site shooting. She described talking to someone about the shooting, “People were telling me how a young teenage young man was shot in the back. People were crying, and his body was just left lying in the street.” She continued, “People were angry, it is a right to rebel.”

Former council member Deeda Seed listed two of the main demands of the crowd, “In addition to transparency, we need a new civilian review board.”

Heidi Keilbaugh, the partner of James Barker, who the police killed last year and a founder of Utah for Peaceful Resolution, spoke out as well. “James Barker was my partner love and they left him dead to bleed out for seven hours. Why do they shoot him? Because he was shoveling ice.”

Gina Thane, the aunt of Dillon Taylor, spoke out for police guidelines for officer involved shootings, “The only requirement is that the officer claims to have feared for his life, and that's getting really old really fast.”

Lexx Scott from the United Front Party spoke next explaining her reasons for being there. “I fight for Susan Hunt, Gina Thanye, Dillon Taylor, Sandra Bland, Darrien Hunt and Abdi Muhammad.”

Sean Taylor spoke for the University of Utah Students for a Democratic Society stating (SDS), “SDSers across the country will be holding a week of action to support Abdi Mohamed.” Damon Harris from SLC Cop watch explained the current structure of police accountability, “It’s police policing the police. We need a community control review board.”

Friends and family spoke second to last. Salem Mohamed witnessed the scene and described it. “It was injustice,” she said. “There was a fight between a six foot tall 45-year-old man who said something to us. His back was too the police and the cops had their guns out before saying anything. They said drop it, and they shot him before he even had a chance to turn around.”

Gregory Lucero of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization closed out the rally. He led the crowd in the chants “Fuck the police,” and “Our community, our control.” He condemned the myth of the ‘good cop.’ “The police started as fugitive slave catchers and they're still doing it today. Maybe there are some individual cops who are nice and give out milk and cookies, but that's not what we're talking about. We are talking about a whole oppressive system of police enforcing.”

Protesters took to the streets in a spontaneous expression of anger. They marched down to the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building to protest the local police. They marched back to the Federal Building and then held the intersection around it for a half hour before dispersing without any arrests.

#SaltLakeCityUT #OppressedNationalities #PoliceBrutality #AfricanAmerican #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #AbdiMohamed

“We gather here today to demand that Mayor Jackie Bukuspski and the Salt Lake City Council replace the city’s current inept police civilian review board with a democratic, independent, Community Controlled Police Review Board,” said Michael Christensen of UAPB. “This is the beginning of a fight for a properly-funded board of paid civilians with the power to investigate and subpoena police offers for misconduct, create and amend guidelines that regulate how the police are to behave, and can take action without being influenced by the police or the district attorney’s office.”

Attendees of the rally heard from community members who’d lost loved ones to police violence. Among them was Gina Thayne, whose nephew Dylan Taylor was murdered by police in front of his two cousins – her sons.

“Cops protect and serve, but they should be protecting and serving us, not each other,” said Thayne. The officer who murdered Dylan Taylor was cleared of any wrongdoing by the DA, despite footage from the officer’s body camera showing an unarmed Taylor complying with the officers’ demands. “They [the police] stuck up for each other in every single report I read, so why should we trust them to hold each other responsible?” Thayne asked.

UAPB announced further plans to continue their campaign, including a call-in to Mayor Biskupski’s office and mass attendance to the city council meeting’s open session on March 15.

“It is not enough to protest and rally for each individual murder,” said Gregory Lucero of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “We have to build a campaign demanding a community controlled, democratically elected review board of people just like us, who can say ‘enough is enough.’”

#SaltLakeCityUtah #PoliceBrutality #PeoplesStruggles #Utah #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

Outside the building the crowd chanted, “From Mizzou to SLC, we want our schools racist free!” and “Racists resign! Racists resign!” Community organizers carried signs, “End racist education,” and “Get racism out of our schools.”

As the rally finished, the group entered the meeting where the school board members voted to approve the appointees in a vote split five for, and two opposed. School board President Heather Bennett defended the vote saying, “What I see when I see these people, are people with credentials. They may not have the lived experiences of a person of color, but they do have experience working in schools.”

School board member Michael Clara objected to the administrators. “It’s very demoralizing to our employees of color who have been here, are working here, and have even higher degrees than those who were appointed.”

Clara later addressed the superintendent “Why exclude people of color from these positions, is my question?”

President Bennett replied, “To say they were not selected is not the same as saying they were excluded.”

After the vote, community activists discussed plans to organize a call-in day to demand the resignation of the Superintendent McKell Withers. Protesters rallied and spoke at last month’s board meeting demanding an African American woman administrator not be demoted. Board member Clara convinced Superintendent Withers and the school board that Withers was not following proper procedures in that instance. The African American woman continues in her position, but the three new administration positions are seen as a way to get around the school district procedures and equal employment opportunities for district employees.

The groups organizing the school board rally include Racially Just Utah, Utah Against Police Brutality and the local AFT teachers union.

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #Antiracism #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

Salt Lake City, UT – Just eight days into 2015, the first fatal police shooting has already occurred in Utah. James Dudley Barker was shot in the Salt Lake City Avenues neighborhood where he owned a home. Barker was going door to door, a block from his own home, to see if people wanted to hire him to remove snow. As recorded on body camera video, a police officer confronts Barker claiming that “a couple of people called about you” and “you are suspicious in the neighborhood.” After a two-minute conversation, the officer escalates the situation saying, “You can be arrested for failure to give your information.” Barker responds getting louder and pointing, then suddenly the officer lunges and attempts to grab Barker. Barker swings the plastic snow shovel in his hands, hitting the police officer.

Not seen on the video, Barker and the officer wrestle on the lawn until the officer pumps three bullets into Barker’s chest according to an eyewitness. This controversial shooting makes 87 people shot by Utah police since 2005. The U.S. leads by far all industrial nations in police related shooting deaths.

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) spokesperson Ian Adams defended the police aggression and use of deadly force, saying the officer was “doing his job.” The Adams complained the officer is receiving undue “victim blaming.”

“Why did the officer call for back up, but then not himself back up?” asked Susan Osborn, Barkers friend since their college days at Brigham Young University 20 years ago. Osborn says James Barker was a peacemaker. “I know James well enough to know what he would say right now: ‘The man who killed me was my brother.’”

The footage suggests many opportunities for the officer to step back and rethink his aggressive approach towards Barker:

In response to the police killing, Utah Against Police Brutality (UAPB) organized a rally at the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building on Jan. 10. 200 people, many from James Barker’s community, along with other families of police killings mourned together.

“We don't want the police to be the one's investigating their own officer involved shootings any longer,” said rally organizer Jessica Arter. “Utah Against Police Brutality is demanding Salt Lake City District Attorney Sim Gill seek external reviews of police shootings.” Such legislation was passed in Wisconsin after Michael Bell was murdered by a police officer.

James Barker's friends spoke at the rallying, describing him “as non-violent, an environmental activist, a social worker in Utah who helped people recover from drug abuse and sexual assault.” James Barker was well known in his neighborhood and spent much of his spare time helping others start community gardens.

Heidi Kelibaugh, Barker’s partner, remembers intimate moments where James would sing to her in the mornings. “If the officer who had confronted James had been female, would James still be alive?” wondered Heidi Kelibaugh.

While the mood of the protest was somber, people continue organizing for police violence and killings to stop. See Utah Against Police Brutality for more information: https://www.facebook.com/utahagainstpolicybrutality

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #JamesDudleyBarker

Salt Lake City, UT – Utah Against Police Brutality rang in the New Year with a rally here at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building. Around 50 people braved the freezing temperatures to hear speeches against the ongoing police brutality in the U.S. In the state of Utah, police murders are outpacing those committed by drug dealers, gang members and child abusers.

In 2014, two high-profile police shootings occurred, taking the lives of Dillon Taylor and Darrien Hunt. Officer Bron Cruz killed Dillon Taylor, even though Taylor was unarmed. A body camera captured the incident; however, Salt Lake City (SLC) District Attorney Sim Gill justified the shooting. SLC Police Chief Chris Burbank said, “Under the circumstance, he used the appropriate force necessary facing that difficult situation,” while in the same breath he declared, “that young man shouldn't have lost his life.”

In another police murder, Darrien Hunt was stopped while carrying a model toy sword after two 911-phone calls reported him as suspicious. Darrien was an African American man walking in the majority white suburb of Saratoga Springs.

Despite contradicting testimonies, officers Schauerhamer and Judson were cleared, with Utah County District Attorney Jeff Buhman justifying the shooting. This result came despite video surveillance showing Darrien Hunt running for his life, with no toy sword in hand when the fatal shots were fired. The autopsy reports six shots to Darrien’s back. It was reported that Officer Judson wore a body camera that day, yet it was not activated during the encounter.

Activists are looking forward to 2015 as a year when all this changes. Utah Against Police Brutality made two New Year resolution: a campaign to create mandatory external reviews of all police shootings and a campaign to organize community classes for Know Your Rights training.

“They kill indiscriminately. They never are held accountable. Nobody asks questions. They sweep it under the rug and lie, then vilify the victim after that,” said Ash X to the crowd in front of the Federal Building.

Pratik Raghu spoke: “I was deeply upset by the way that the UN Human Rights Commission and Committee on Torture dismissed and belittled Mike Brown's family members.” Raghu views the killings, “as part of an international epidemic of police violence against civilians from Ferguson to Palestine to India.”

“The way the Ogden Police Department racially profiles Latino youth results in higher incarceration rates,” explained Malik Dayo an activist from nearby Ogden.

“Now we have to talk about Antonio Martin, not just Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and Darrien Hunt,” explained Lex Scott, president of the United Front Party. Lamenting the ever-growing list of African Americans shot dead by police, Scott added, “We need to let those people out there know, that there will be no peace until we get our justice.”

Protesters marched on major streets in downtown Salt Lake City, taking the full lane of traffic on State Street, Main Street and West Temple. They then staged a die-in at a busy intersection, causing traffic to shut down and TRAX trains to back up.

The marched ended at the New Year’s ball drop, with protesters shutting down a major intersection. Police scrambled on scene to block off traffic, while protesters chanted “From Ferguson to SLC, end police brutality!”

A dozen SLC police officers looked on as cars forced their way through the crowd of protesters. The cops stood idle as protesters took action, with some ending up on top of moving vehicles. No severe injuries were reported.

One SLC cop pushed his way through a crowd, using his wooden baton to shove protesters out of the way. This officer refused to reveal his name and badge number to protesters.

“Utah Against Police Brutality is a great group doing great things. The United Front Party is proud to march with them and address the issue of police brutality. Addressing this issue is long overdue,” declared Lex Scott at the end of the action.

Follow activists on the ground in Utah with #utahprotests.

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #DillonTaylor #DarrienHunt #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality

Salt Lake City, Utah – 100 people who came out to support the police were met with a counter-protest organized by Utah Against Police Brutality. In Utah, police murders are outpacing murders committed by drug dealers, gang members and child abusers. The pro-police rally was organized in the middle of the work day by well-off whites who had Utah District Attorney Sean Reyes come to address them.

30 counter-protesters set up on the steps of the county building, using their chants to shut down the pro-police rally. They chanted “Serve and protect, that’s a lie, you don’t care when Black kids die,” and “Good cop bad cop, police violence gotta stop.”

The supporters of police carried signs reading “Police don’t shoot to kill, they shoot to stay alive.” Three days after Mike Brown was killed in Ferguson, unarmed Dillon Taylor was shot at a 7-Eleven store by Officer Bron Cruz. Darrien Hunt was a Black man shot in an overwhelming white city running for his life.

The pro-police crowd chanted “We love police,” but soon stopped when Gregory Lucero of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke at the protest. Lucero said, “We are out here against police brutality. That other rally is for police brutality. We will stand against all forms of racism and police brutality.”

The pro-police people marched over and attempted to engage with counter-protesters, but counter-protesters disregarded them and continued chanting until the pro-police rally disbanded.

Val Brown, who attended the counter-protest, said, “I saw a big action in Milwaukee on the media, seeing my friends standing up and fighting back got me inspired to come out here today.”

Protester Fubuki Abe said “I think the protest was extremely important today to show people who are in favor of cops, that there are people in the community who stand up against police injustice.”

Utah Against Police Brutality will hold an event on New Year’s Eve at the Federal Building in Salt Lake City. People can follow protests and other events using #utahprotests.

#SaltLakeCityUtah #SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality #counterProtest #propoliceRally #utahprotests

Salt Lake City, UT – Hundreds of people rallied at the Wallace Bennett Federal Building the night of Dec. 6, the latest in an ongoing string of protests organized by Utah Against Police Brutality. After the failure to indict Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, a grand jury in Staten Island let NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo walk away without charges. Officer Pantaleo used an illegal chokehold on Eric Garner, resulting in what the coroner ruled a homicide.

In the state of Utah, police are reportedly killing people at a higher rate than drug dealers, gang members and child abusers are. The large crowd remembered local victims of police violence such as Dillon Taylor, Danielle Willard and Darrien Hunt. The recently formed Utah Against Police Brutality is working with the families of police murder victims in an effort to jail killer cops and end the violence.

The rally started with Chris Manor speaking the final words of Eric Garner, and the group echoing, “I can't breathe!” Manor, an organizer with Utah Against Police Brutality said, “It's not just that racism is institutional or systemic, racism is the institutions and racism is the system. It's the courts and Congress, the jails and the schools, it is the police and the military.”

Lex Scott of the United Front Party spoke about the recent string of murders targeting unarmed African Americans including Tamir Rice, Akai Gurley and Mike Brown. “The police are killing us.”

Gregory Lucero, of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, called the murder of Eric Garner a lynching. “As a Chicano man in occupied Aztlán, I could be the next person with six bullets in my back.” Lucero continued, “This isn't about hating white folks, this is about respecting our right to self-determination.”

Jessica Arter encouraged people to get involved with Utah Against Police Brutality to organize better and make demands. Arter, who teaches preschool, said “I want all the children in my preschool to grow up and have a future.”

Palestinian American woman Muna Omar talked about the outrageous collaboration between the NYPD and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) who share training and tactics. Omar also pointed out that as a Palestinian, she knows what oppression is and that she recognizes it in America.

DaKishia Reid of the Cedar City Peace and Justice Coalition recognized the youth in the crowd and how important it was for them to be involved in the struggle. Reid, quoting Angela Davis, lead people in a chant, “I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change... I'm changing the things I cannot accept.”

Hundreds of protesters then took the streets. They attempted to march through the Mormon Church-owned City Creek mall to take their message to the people, but were blocked off by police. Protesters then marched up Main Street where they held a die-in on the street, blocking off Salt Lake City’s light-rail train.

The mass of protesters next marched through Temple Square at the very heart of Salt Lake City. Many were out to see the holiday lighting and were surprised when protesters marched through the Latter Day Saints temple area and held another die-in.

Locking arms and chanting slogans such as “Black lives matter” and “Shut it down!” the march continued down State Street, blocking motor traffic with police scrambling on the scene. At major intersections protesters staged die-ins. The group went to another public holiday site, Gallivan Plaza, where ice skaters stood gaping at another die-in in front of a large Christmas tree. One protester remarked, “This will the first Christmas where many families are going to be missing their loved ones who were stolen by police violence.”

The march ended up back at the Federal Building where protesters locked arms and held the perimeter of an intersection, as police watched. The group forced any motorists that attempted to get through to turn back. One motorist attempted to drive through protesters, but the group immediately stopped the driver and recorded the license plate.

As the rally closed out, Gregory Lucero reminded protesters of the importance of security culture. “We don't talk to law enforcement.” Lucero emphasized that law enforcement will look for any opportunity to divide a movement.

Utah Against Police Brutality will hold an organizing meeting on Dec. 17 at the Salt Lake City Public Library. For more info: https://www.facebook.com/utahagainstpolicybrutality

#SaltLakeCityUT #PoliceBrutality #EricGarner #UtahAgainstPoliceBrutality