SALT LAKE CITY — Multiple demonstrations took place Saturday in Salt Lake City, from the State Capitol to the University of Utah to Washington Square Park.
Downtown at the Salt Lake City and County Building, a rally was organized by former Weber State football coach and now educator and activist Kamaal Ahmad. Speakers included Ahmad, SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall, students and religious leaders.
The rally's goal was to "shed light on current events, social justice, as well as the African American struggle in our country... [and] showing support for our local law enforcement."
The group then walked to the SLC Police headquarters, where Ahmad made a statement by exchanging a handshake and a hug with Chief Mike Brown.
"I love you, I care about you, I care about your family, I care abour your men and women who serve to protect us," Ahmad said to Brown. "I want you to be able to trust that I'm going to hold myself accountable, I know you will do the same. I trust that, sir."
Protesters also gathered throughout the day outside the Capitol grounds, and a march from there to Washington Square is planned in honor of Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed in March by police in Louisville, Kentucky.
Rain hasn’t stopped hundreds of people from gathering peacefully at the Capitol @fox13 pic.twitter.com/ErigM5kqmk
— Adam Herbets (@AdamHerbets) June 7, 2020
Earlier, a car caravan took place at the University of Utah with the message to "Defund UofU Police," aimed at police brutality in general as well as the death of student Lauren McCluskey in 2018, whose reports to police days before her murder were mishandled.
Another "Justice for Bernardo" event is also taking place at the Capitol in honor of Bernardo Palacios.
Vigil set up at Capitol for Bernardo Palacios. @fox13 pic.twitter.com/PBSVoNLIx8
— Sydney Glenn (@SydneyGlennTV) June 7, 2020
The group then marched from the Capitol to 900 West and 300 South, where Palacios was shot and killed by police last month.
