Demonstrators Hold Peaceful Gathering Two Days After Protest Turned Violent
Jun 1, 2020, 7:58 PM | Updated: Jun 2, 2020, 9:14 am
An officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department takes a knee with demonstrators durinig a peaceful "speak-out" in downtown. (Dan Rascon, KSL TV)
(Dan Rascon, KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Demonstrators have gathered for a “speak-out” near the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building in advance of a citywide curfew.
Organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, the event’s purpose was to peacefully demand justice for George Floyd, and take a stand against racist police violence across the country.
The “speak-out” began around 6 p.m. Monday at Washington Square near 200 East 400 South in downtown.
Breaking: protest now underway in downtown Salt Lake .. they say they are here to have a peaceful rally @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/s1W56Wz2No
— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) June 2, 2020
It was the same location as a peaceful protest that turned violent on Saturday, leading to the arrests of at least 46 people.
Organizers said they were committed to a peaceful protest.
Several people took the microphone at the square to demand justice for those in the community who they said have suffered from excessive use of force from police officers.
The group later marched a block away to the grounds of the Public Safety Building – headquarters for the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Several police officers and members of the Utah National Guard were seen at the building and on the streets.
Breaking: @slcpd officer takes a knee with protestors. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/TVVcKEJoTn
— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) June 2, 2020
Demonstrators took a knee in memory of George Floyd. At least one police officer was also seen taking a knee with the protest.
Police and protesters were seen speaking with and even hugging each other.
The group began making their way back towards Washington Square around 7:30 p.m., and around 7:50 p.m., police made an announcement about the curfew in place beginning at 8 p.m., and lasting through the night until 6 a.m.
Just after the 8 p.m. curfew, organizers were heard on megaphones asking people to go home to comply with city orders.
Protesters then began walking north on State Street towards the City Creek Center, where windows and entrances were boarded up after looters caused damage Saturday.
Police officers lined the streets where people walked in the roadway, but did not make any efforts to detain anyone.
.@slcpd Chief Mike Brown: "couldn't be happier" about police response and demonstrators' peaceful protest Monday.
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) June 2, 2020
The group stopped on the south side of of 300 North, across the road the capitol building and a long line of troopers from the Utah Highway Patrol who were keeping people from the grounds.
After taking a knee and chanting for a few minutes, the group walked west on 300 North and down Main Street, back towards Washington Square.
Dozens remained in place at the capitol. Just before 9 p.m., an officer told demonstrators they would be given 15 minutes before police would start making arrested for curfew violation.
Protestors have been told to clear the area in the next 10 minutes, or they will be arrested. pic.twitter.com/URq5EWFjgi
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) June 2, 2020
A larger part of the group walked around several downtown blocks before turning south on State Street and back towards Washington Square.
The tone at Monday’s event was in stark contrast to what unfolded Saturday, when what began as a peaceful protest turned violent. Glass was broken and graffiti was painted at TRAX stations and several public buildings, including the State Capitol Building.
Several dozen people were arrested for failure to disperse and resisting arrest.
Protesters gather near Salt Lake City Police Department headquarters.
Posted by KSL 5 TV on Monday, June 1, 2020
