SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 30, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah is calling on campus administrators and law enforcement agencies across the state to “respect the First Amendment rights and safety of protestors.”
In a Tuesday press release, the ACLU called protests “a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy — a principle entrenched in our history, our First Amendment, and the Utah Constitution.
“Utah colleges and universities must resist pressure to restrict or prohibit student protest — even on contentious issues — and adhere to their stated commitment to free speech, peaceful protest, and dissent on campus. If colleges and universities work with law enforcement to disperse protests and dismantle encampments constructed as part of demonstrations, we urge that they do so with great restraint.”
The statement comes on the heels of Monday night’s clash at the University of Utah between protesters and a squad of riot police, comprised of officers from the Utah Highway Patrol, Salt Lake City Police Department, Unified Police, West Valley City Police Department, and University of Utah Police.
The stage was set for the confrontation Monday afternoon when an estimated crowd of about 200 pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the east side of Presidents’ Circle on the U of U campus. That group included a couple dozen demonstrators who pitched tents across the street from the Park Building, which houses the university president’s office. Those tents soon became the focus of the university and public safety officials, as well as Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox, who tweeted the following:
“We hold dear our First Amendment rights to protest and peaceably assemble,” Cox said. “The First Amendment does not protect violence, threats to public safety, property damage, camping or disruptions to our learning institutions. We will protect protestors and arrest those who violate the law.”
The Utah Department of Public Safety echoed the governor’s tweet, posting on X, “We fully support everyone’s civil right to express themselves through freedom of speech. Yet, we do not tolerate the acts of any criminal activity, including but not limited to: property damage, unlawful assembly or camping, threats, or violent acts.”
As evening approached, the number of demonstrators dwindled to just a few dozen. Some of the tents were also taken down as protesters pulled up stakes and headed home when it began to rain.
At about that same time, approximately 50 to 75 riot squad members began mobilizing northeast of the circle. Their presence raised the hackles of the remaining protesters who began chanting, “There is no violence here. Why are you in riot gear?”
According to a press release by the SLCPD PR Unit, at 10:52 p.m., “the incident commander for the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety declared the assembly unlawful and warned people remaining would be subject to arrest.”
By 11:43 p.m. at least 17 people were taken into custody. That number was later revised to a total of 19 protesters who faced potential charges, including four students and a U of U staffer.
The SLCPD statement referred to “several of the criminal actors” who allegedly “threw water bottles, rocks, and metal cans at officers. Others had make-shift weapons,” the public relations unit said.
The ACLU of Utah condemned the police response to the “peaceful demonstration” saying it “risked the safety and well-being of those directly involved as well as those in the area.
“While authorities may enforce state laws and campus policies, we are gravely concerned that campuses and law enforcement nationwide are increasingly cracking down on political expression, rushing in police to arrest protestors, and authorizing aggressive treatment.
“Such forceful clampdowns on protests severely affect free speech rights on every issue. In an election year when student protests are erupting nationwide, we call for more – not less – tolerance and respect for free speech, open debate, and peaceful dissent.”
Tuesday evening, protesters vowed to return to campus, prompting university officials to publish fliers with a list of dos and don’ts for those hoping to avoid arrest.
