Utah Sends 200 National Guardsmen To DC As Protests Continue
Jun 2, 2020, 10:16 PM | Updated: 10:32 pm
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 Salt Lake City, May 30, 2020. (Photo by Utah National Guard)
(Photo by Utah National Guard)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Members of the Utah National Guard were deployed to Washington D.C. one day after President Donald Trump said he would send in the military to “dominate the streets” if governors did not quell protests.
Officials said 200 soldiers from Utah were activated on Tuesday and sent to the nation’s capital at the request of the president.
They will support civilian authorities around the D.C. metro area as protests continue for a fifth straight night following the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police.
One former Minneapolis police officer has been charged with third-degree murder.
“As a service member and fellow American, it has been heartbreaking to witness the pain and frustration of our communities across this nation,” said Brig. Gen. Michael J. Turley, adjutant general, Utah National Guard. “This mission to support civil authorities in our nation’s capital is one of our toughest missions, but one that we are trained and ready to do. “
In a news release, Turley said, “The Utah National Guard is committed to support our nation to preserve life, protect property, and to restore peace during these unprecedented times.”
Utah Governor Gary Herbert mobilized 200 guardsmen to a protest Sunday evening in downtown Salt Lake City after protesters set two cars on fire, including a police unit.
"We are fellow citizens; we are your neighbors; we support our law enforcement partners and fellow Utahns," said Brig. Gen. Michael J. Turley, adjutant general, Utah National Guard, in an official statement. pic.twitter.com/9bZH6lv26o
— Utah National Guard (@UTNationalGuard) May 31, 2020
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall put a curfew into effect as the guardsmen and police cleared protesters from the area.
Dozens of protesters were arrested.
According to the release, Utah soldiers were already prepared for deployment and were able to be reassigned to rapidly respond to the president’s request for support.
The release said the soldiers were flown on military KC-135R aircraft from the Utah Air National Guard base in Salt Lake City to Joint Base Andrews, Washington D.C.
The Utah National Guard has nearly 7,500 soldiers and airmen ready to support our state and nation, the release said.
