SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 30, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah says order has been restored to the U of U campus after 17 protesters were arrested on a variety of charges stemming from Monday’s pro-Palestine demonstration on Presidents Circle.
Word of the arrests came by way of an online statement posted by the University Tuesday at 12:05 a.m. It follows:
“Officers from University of Utah Police Department, Salt Lake City Police Department, Unified Police, Utah Highway Patrol, and West Valley City Police Department moved in to disperse the protestors just after 11 p.m.
“‘Utah college campuses around the state are not exempt from the significant unrest that currently exists in our country and world,” said Keith Squires, U chief safety officer. “Campuses serve as a stage and forum for not just students, but for members of the community who want their voice to be heard. We honor all voices, but the right to speech on our campus must occur within the confines of state law and campus policies.’
“Officers removed and dismantled approximately a dozen tents, stashes of water bottles, food and toilet paper. The crowd moved west toward University Street and 1300 East. Many broke down their own tents and drove away. As of 11:45 p.m., 17 had been arrested. No injuries to protestors were reported. One officer was injured. One hatchet was confiscated.”
Forty minutes later, a second U of U post (below) indicated order had been restored and it would be business as usual on campus Tuesday morning.
“University of Utah Police — in collaboration with Salt Lake City Police, Unified Police, Utah Highway Patrol and West Valley City Police — cleared a protest on Presidents Circle overnight. Final exams will continue Tuesday, April 30. Traffic in the area has resumed. Campus shuttles and Utah Transit Authority buses are in operation. University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics remain open.”
SLCPD statement
A Salt Lake City Police press release sent by the SLCPD PR Unit at 2:23 a.m. outlined the department’s role in confronting the protesters, including allegations that demonstrators had fortified their positions.
“On Monday, April 29, 2024, the Salt Lake City Police Department responded to the University of Utah at the request of the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety to help manage a growing demonstration in Presidents Circle,” the PR statement says.
“Based on preliminary information provided to the Salt Lake City Police Department, several demonstrators set up tents, fortified those structures, and made statements about refusing to leave,” it says.
“At approximately 10:52 p.m., on Monday, April 29, 2024, 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.
“Several of the criminal actors threw water bottles, rocks, and metal cans at officers. Others had make-shift weapons. One officer assigned to the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety received a minor injury.
“A Salt Lake City Police officer had a thrown water bottle hit his helmet during the incident. Fortunately, the officer was not injured.”
The SLCPD PR press release ended with the statement, “Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
