Curfew Enacted As Protests Continue In SLC; Multiple Cars Set On Fire

SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands of protesters gathered near the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building to make their voices known as part of the national George Floyd rallies.

The protest began around noon Saturday and 600 South was blocked as dozens of cars lined the streets. The protest then spread north along State Street to the Utah State Capitol complex, which was covered with graffiti in places.

SLC police have asked people to avoid the downtown metro area “due to civil unrest” and a curfew that lasts through 6 a.m. Monday has been enacted.

“The safe space we offered for today’s protest is no longer safe for anybody,” said SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Please, if you are on Salt Lake City’s streets right now and do not meet those exceptions, go home.”

Around 3 p.m., dozens of protesters were seen flipping a Salt Lake City Police Department patrol vehicle on its side.

The vehicle was vandalized and set on fire after being flipped on its roof.

Plenty of honking could be heard in the area, while many could be seen holding signs out their windows or displaying words on their vehicles.

Witnesses said people were climbing on the SLC Public Safety Building and spray painting profane words on it

People could be heard yelling things like, “I can’t breathe!” and “Black Lives Matter!”

Many were also seen raising their fists or taking a knee in support of the movement.

Gov. Gary Herbert’s office issued the following statement Saturday evening: “We are in close contact with our department of public safety and receiving regular updates. Our hearts break for the family of George Floyd and for his unnecessary death. We are grateful for the swift actions taken by the state of Minnesota to hold those responsible for his death accountable.

“We can not, however, condone violence, defacement of public buildings, and destruction of property. We call upon the good people of Utah to engage civilly and to act peaceably as they seek to exercise their First Amendment rights.”

Sgt. Keith Horrocks with the Salt Lake City Police Department said a woman attempted to attack several protestors with a hammer.

One woman was reportedly hit, but she denied medical attention.

Protestors were able to wrestle the hammer from the woman’s hand.

She ran off before police could make any contact.

The protest/rally outside the @slcpd is still peaceful. Seems like more people are showing up. pic.twitter.com/zuO31qWoF4

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) May 30, 2020

A man was detained during protests in downtown Salt Lake City after witnesses said he got out of his vehicle with a knife and bow and arrow.

Police said they know who the man is and intend to screen charges against him.

Protesters told KSL the man arrived in a vehicle before pulling back the bow; that vehicle was subsequently flipped on its roof and lit on fire.

Utah Transit Authority officials said TRAX and bus service in the area has been suspended. Protesters told KSL’s Alex Cabrero they were leaving downtown SLC and heading toward the Utah State Capitol.

Around 10 p.m., a protester reportedly broke into the capitol but officials with the Utah Department of Public Safety said the complex was secure and no one had entered the capitol.

Graffiti and paint leading up to the Capitol @KSL5TV @UTStateCapitol pic.twitter.com/UukytIJQsv

— Garna Mejia (@GarnaMejiaKSL) May 30, 2020

Looters briefly took over a 7-Eleven convenience store near 400 South and 300 East.

Video from Chopper 5 showed looters running from the store as they carried boxes and containers full of goods.

One woman was seen yelling at people as they ran in and out of the store.

The looters disbanded after a few minutes.

The crowd seems to be dispersing a bit at Library Square. This is where a burned @slcpd car is still in the middle of 400 S. by the library. Lots of people heading to the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/NRa8t00V89

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) May 30, 2020

Officers from the Salt Lake City and West Valley City police departments arrived near the library TRAX station in riot gear just after 5 p.m.

Moments later, Gov. Herbert tweeted that the Utah National Guard had been activated to help control the situation.

We condemn violence and looting. I have activated the National Guard to help control the escalating situation in downtown Salt Lake City. I once again call on all who are protesting to do so peacefully.

— Gary R. Herbert (@GovHerbert) May 30, 2020

“Nearly 30 members of the Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Security Forces Squadron and approximately 150 members of the Utah Army National Guard’s Reaction Force were activated to help Salt Lake City law enforcement agencies protect lives and property in SLC,” Utah National Guard officials said.

Guardsmen will be involved in planning and enforcing the citywide curfew that lasts until 6 a.m. Monday, officials added.

Mayor Mendenhall, Gov. Herbert and SLCPD Chief Mike Brown held a press conference announcing the curfew that lasts through Monday morning.

A message on the Salt Lake City curfew from @ChiefMikeBrown from @slcpd and @andersonljess from @UtahDPS

It's in effect until 6 a.m. Monday, June 1.
Keep Utah safe. @SLCgov @UtahGov pic.twitter.com/SyPLXQhcDD

— Utah Public Safety (@UtahDPS) May 31, 2020

Chief Brown said one officer was attacked by a protester with a baseball bat.

“Somebody ran up behind him and the struck him to the back of the head,” Brown said. “Had it not been for his helmet, he could have been seriously injured and maybe killed. Right now, he’s in bravo condition at the hospital.”

Six arrests had been made as of 9:15 p.m. and two officers were taken to area hospitals for heat exhaustion.

SLC set a record high at 98 degrees on Saturday.

Officers from multiple agencies began pushing the line of protesters south toward 600 South along 200 East around 10 p.m. and began making arrests.

Gov. Herbert said due to the curfew and historic nature of the Utah State Capitol, they will rely on professional cleaning crews to remove graffiti.

Unless you are defined as an essential person, please steer clear of the downtown area through the remainder of the weekend.

— Gary R. Herbert (@GovHerbert) May 31, 2020