SLC PROTEST

Salt Lake DA, community respond to protest, vandalism

Jul 10, 2020, 3:09 PM | Updated: Nov 9, 2021, 10:09 am

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill responded to the protest outside his office Friday, calling the vandalism to the building “an assault on every one of us.”

Protesters have been calling for justice in the shooting death of Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal for weeks. On Thursday, Gill announced the officers who fired their weapons would not face charges, arguing their actions were justified because Palacios-Carbajal had a gun.

“What we are called to do is to find the uncomfortable truth. And we recognize that it will not be pleasing to everyone. But we will not shy away from our moral and ethical duty,” Gill said.

The protest started peacefully. Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department allowed demonstrators to use red paint to push their message, but quickly stepped in when one or more people began shattering windows at the DA’s office building.

Police Dispersing Protesters At SL DA's Office

LIVE: SLC PD have declared protests at the county DA's office to be unlawful after the group smashed windows at the building.

Posted by KSL 5 TV on Thursday, July 9, 2020

“I will not let the actions of a few take away from those other peaceful protesters who have an incredible and important message to share with our community,” Gill said. “This building represents all of us as a community. This is us. And an assault on this building is an assault on every one of us.”

Friday morning brought with it several people from the community, prepared to clean up the red handprints, signs and other messages covering the entrance of the building.

“Everybody wants to be heard,” said Jared Twilley, who lives in Herriman.

Twilley saw the protest on the news the night before.

“I had no intentions to come here and then a thought came to me as I was going to the gym this morning to see what I can do to help,” he said.

Twilley said he didn’t come to take sides.

“I’m for the police. I’m for the people,” he said. “I don’t want someone to mistreat my children. But I also don’t want my children to believe that civil disobedience is going to correct something. But at one point is your voice not being heard. I understand that.”

And the scraping, peeling and washing happening at the building speak volumes about the desire of many to restore civility.

“Justice, fairness and equality and truth are not just words to me,” said Gill, speaking of the words that stretch across the building, high above the messages left behind from the protesters.

“We want changes. I understand that,” he said. “But I want those changes to be long-term, sustainable and systemic.”

KSL 5 TV Live

SLC Protest

Rioters flipped and set a Salt Lake City Police car on fire during the riot in Downtown on May 30, ...

Dan Rascon, KSL TV

No jail time for man who set police car on fire during 2020 riots in SLC

A federal judge granted mercy to a man who set fire to a Salt Lake City police car during the 2020 riots in downtown. 

2 years ago

Rioters flipped and set a Salt Lake City Police car on fire during the riot in Downtown on May 30, ...

Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

SLC Police Chief Reflects On Downtown Riot Nearly One Year Later

Protests and riots broke out around the country a year ago following the death of George Floyd. That unrest later spread to Salt Lake City where a police car was flipped and lit on fire. Police Chief Mike Brown sat down with KSL-TV nearly a year later to reflect back on the day that changed the city and his department. 

3 years ago

Body camera footage obtained exclusively by KSL TV shows the moment a protester threw a rock at a S...

Alex Cabrero

Remembering A Summer Filled With Protests In Utah

In a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, a presidential election, and even a serious earthquake, one of the biggest stories here in Utah is what happened on a Saturday afternoon in May. A protest in downtown Salt Lake City turned violent, leaving us with images many never thought we'd see here.

3 years ago

Protesters and police officers line a street in downtown Salt Lake City Saturday, May 30, 2020. (Sh...

Matthew Jacobson, KSL TV

SLCPD Officer Who Pushed Elderly Man During Protest Will Not Be Charged

At the request of the victim, no criminal charges will be filed against an officer who was captured on video pushing an elderly man to the ground during a protest in Salt Lake City.

3 years ago

...

Tania Dean, KSL TV

Protestors March To State Capitol Armed With Guns

A group of protestors marched to the Capitol to rally against police brutality and in favor of equality, but the difference in Sunday's rally was that most of the protestors were armed with semi-automatic weapons.

4 years ago

FILE: Salt Lake City County Building (Getty Images)...

Matt Rascon, KSL TV

SLC’s Commission On Racial Equity Holds First Weekly Meeting

Salt Lake City's newly-formed commission on racial equity met for the first time Wednesday.

4 years ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Salt Lake DA, community respond to protest, vandalism