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.
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.
Salt Lake City, UT – More than 1000 people rallied in front of the Wallace Bennett Federal Building on Nov. 29 to stand in solidarity with the people of Ferguson in their fight for justice. Protesters were both mournful about the police murder of Mike Brown and furious about the failure of the Ferguson grand jury to indict Brown’s killer. The large turnout in Salt Lake City is due to killer cops and police brutality in Utah, where many families are suffering injustices.
Salt Lake City, UT – 40 protesters waited in chilling weather for the Ferguson grand jury announcement. They anticipated the failure to indict police officer Darren Wilson for murdering Mike Brown by chanting “From Ferguson to SLC, end police brutality!” and “No justice, no peace, no killer police!” A body-armored Department of Homeland Security officer with an attack dog came over to inform protesters where they could exercise their rights – a clear attempt at intimidation.
Salt Lake City, UT – 70 activists gathered on Nov. 19 for a meeting of Utah Against Police Brutality at the main public library. Utah Against Police Brutality is dedicated to organizing the struggle against killer cops in Utah. People discussed everything from leading protests, to raising awareness through social media, to pressuring local politicians to change legislation.
Salt Lake City, UT – Activists rallied in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building on Nov. 16, as part of a national week of action in support of Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh. Participants were urged to write letters of support to Rasmea Odeh, now in Saint Clair County Jail, Port Huron, Michigan. Supporters are also making donations to her defense fund. Information can be found at stopfbi.net.
Salt Lake City, UT – Fifteen anti-war activists gathered in front of the William F Bennet Federal Building on Nov. 4 to stand in solidarity with Rasmea Odeh. Rasmea Odeh is an Arab American and women's rights activist being targeted by the FBI for her political activism. The U.S. government is attempting to weaken the Palestinian solidarity and anti-war movements. People protested across the country on the opening day of Rasmea Odeh’s trial in Detroit, including in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah County Attorney justified the shooting death of 22-year-old Darrien Hunt by white police officers Schauerhamer and Judson. Hunt was confronted by the Saratoga Springs police officers on September 10. He was carrying a toy sword as a prop while cosplaying, dressed as an anime (cartoon) character. Someone who saw him walking on the street called 911 and reported him as suspicious. Within minutes, Hunt was shot dead while being questioned by police.
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 100 activists gathered at the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building, Oct. 22, to protest police brutality. The protesters demanded justice for Darrien Hunt, the most recent victim murdered by officers of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, as well as all victims brutalized by police. Carrying signs that read “Comply or die is not the law” and holding photos of their loved ones murdered by the police, the crowd chanted slogans including, “From Ferguson to SLC, end police brutality,” and “Not a penny, not a dollar, we won’t pay for police to slaughter.”
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 100 activists gathered at the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building, Oct. 22, to protest police brutality. The protesters demanded justice for Darrien Hunt, the most recent victim murdered by police in Salt Lake City, as well as all victims brutalized by police. Carrying signs that read “Comply or die is not the law” and holding photos of their loved ones murdered by the police, the crowd chanted slogans including, “From Ferguson to SLC, end police brutality,” and “Not a penny, not a dollar, we won’t pay for police to slaughter.”