News

Actions

Protesters disrupt Senate over Columbus Day bill

Posted at 7:41 PM, Mar 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-07 21:41:47-05

SALT LAKE CITY — A group of demonstrators disrupted the Senate, upset over the defeat of a bill that would have renamed Columbus Day as “Indigenous People’s Day.”

Witnesses said the group of activists began shouting in the Senate gallery and were quickly escorted out by Utah Highway Patrol troopers. Outside the Senate chamber, the activists began shouting again.

“This guy’s a murderer!” said one man, waving a sign protesting Columbus.

A man waves a sign protesting the defeat of a bill that would have renamed Columbus Day as "Indigenous People's Day." (Photo by Ben Winslow)

A man waves a sign protesting the defeat of a bill that would have renamed Columbus Day as “Indigenous People’s Day.” (Photo by Ben Winslow)

As they were surrounded by Utah Highway Patrol troopers, the Senate’s chief-of-staff escorted them to have a closed door meeting with lawmakers, including Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, who sponsored the bill to rename Columbus Day.

Afterward, some of the demonstrators told FOX 13 they were glad to be heard, but felt lawmakers were only half-listening to their concerns.