Protesters Gather In SLC For Fifth Day Of Demonstrations
Jun 5, 2020, 2:47 PM
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Demonstrators with the Black Lives Matter movement started rallying Friday morning at Washington Square in downtown Salt Lake City, calling for an end to racism and police brutality.
The protest was put together by Pacific Islander group Pasifika First Friday.
“Pacific Islanders care, we love and black and brown bodies are together and united,” said Monique Hoching, an organizer with Pasifika First Friday.
Marching in solidarity, the group called out various chants, including George Floyd’s final words.
“I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, every single day, every single day,” they said.
From Washington Square to the Utah State Capitol, the group rallied in peace, giving the Black Lives Matter movement here in Utah a platform to be heard.
Happening Now: Pasifika First Friday members on behalf of #BlackLivesMatter #downtown #slc #utah pic.twitter.com/d6y8qO0HBH
— Felicia Martinez (@FeliciaKSL) June 5, 2020
“Whose streets? Our streets! Whose streets? our streets!” called out Black Lives Matter Utah Founder Lex Scott as a crowd of demonstrators followed behind. Old, young, black, brown and white — the crowd was diverse.
“It’s so important, because at any moment, due to their skin color, they can be questioned in a way that I never would as a white woman,” said Emily Waddoups, whose children are black.
Waddoups said it’s important for her kids to know their rights and to advocate in their community.
Other chants included “Stand up, fight back! Stand up fight back!” and “Black and brown unity, black and brown unity!”
Those messages were heard along Main Street as the group marched up Capitol Hill.
Once the demonstrators reached the capitol, they held a moment of silence for George Floyd. For nearly nine minutes, they kneeled and reflected.
“We want them to see what bodies look like when they are on the ground” yelled out an organizer with Pasifika First Friday. Faced down and hands behind their backs, their messages demonstrated more than words.
“Black lives matter, every single day!” they shouted. “Pacific Islanders matter, every single day! No justice, no peace!”
