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Anti-Trump No Kings protests swept the nation on Saturday, many of which were a continuation of ongoing demonstrations against ICE mass deportations. While gatherings in Los Angeles and Atlanta saw suppression by law enforcement and the Proud Boys, Salt Lake City’s greatest threat came from a gunman and two potential accomplices.
Active shooter
The night’s peaceful tone shattered just before 8 p.m. when gunshots rang out at 151 State Street. Organizers and law enforcement diverted the march from the Capitol, some individuals moving east along 100 South, others doubling back down State Street.
Protestors scattered, the majority moving farther east. A group of Salt Lake City residents conveyed their experience.
Bri, age 27, was barely a block away at a nearby 7/11 when she heard shots.
“We saw the crowd disperse, people started running,” Bri said. “No shoving, no trampling, everyone was very orderly shuffling into the 7/11. The children were moved into the employee room in the back area, and we all just sat there … We were concerned for about five minutes, then we stayed there another five.”
Bri’s friend Katie added a “sad little detail.”
“We were in the 7/11 and they were having all the kids go back [to the employee room] and there was a mom ushering her kids in who said ‘we’re just going to play a little game of hide-and-seek,’” Katie said.
In a press conference later that night, Salt Lake City police chief Brian Redd said that one person was shot and suffered “life-threatening” injuries. Based on eye-witness descriptions, the shooter and two other involved individuals were quickly identified and taken into custody. Redd stated that the individual who was shot is also in police custody.
“There are no ongoing threats to the public,” Redd said. “The events leading up to the shooting were very peaceful.”
Despite the quick police response, Bri, Katie and their friend Alec were on the way back to their car to leave the rally just after 8 p.m. for some “stress munchies.”
Alec said, “Is this just the American experience? Protest, active shooter, fast food?”
Rallies and marches
Salt Lake City’s No Kings protests began at the University of Utah, where over 5,000 gathered outside the Marriott Library Plaza. Six hours later, a separate protest organized by Utah 50501 assembled in Pioneer Park.
Over 10,000 protestors left Pioneer Park and headed east along University Boulevard at 7 p.m., turning north on State Street towards the Capitol.
Protestors chanted, “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA” and “Not our king” among other phrases throughout the rally, waving Pride, Mexican, American and anti-Trump flags.
SLC resident Seth spoke on his choice to protest.
“This is a good chance to drive home a message,” Seth said. “The flag that I’ve got, it says, ‘no king, no master, no empire.’ I would be doing this even if the Democrats were in power right now because in this country, we don’t have a real left movement … Nobody wants to murder each other in this country. But the parties in charge have figured out how to play us against each other.”
Marina Knight and Valerie Fleming of Park City enjoyed the solidarity of the march.
“It feels good to come out and see how many people are feeling the same way,” Knight said.
Fleming added, “I see old men who can barely walk, and they’re coming out. Who knows how hard it was for them to get here? It lifts your spirits.”
ICE rumors
Following the shooting, remnants of the protest reunited and returned to Pioneer Park around 8:35 p.m. Still, the atmosphere was subdued. State troopers at the park urged protestors to disperse for safety reasons, while protest organizers stated the police would soon begin arrests.
The crowd further dispersed upon rumors of an ICE presence. Redd denied these rumors, stating the city had no communication with ICE and that the crowd numbered fewer than 100 by 9 p.m. By comparison, Thursday’s anti-ICE protest at Washington Square Park measured nearly 1,000 at the same time.
Mayor Mendenhall spoke at a press conference that night. “The violence we’ve seen today in Salt Lake City is horrific. It is not who we are. This act of violence does not define our city,” Mendenhall said.
