Second reproductive rights rally at the Capitol this week. This one organized by local media platform @redhiveco#utpol#utleg
On Tuesday, the same spot played host to more than 1,000 reproductive rights supporters who came out following the #SupremeCourt leaked draft opinion on Roe v. Wade threadreaderapp.com/thread/1521641…
A few hundred are here today, some carrying signs emblazoned with slogans like “Mind your own uterus” and “Keep abortion legal in Utah.” The State is one of a handful with trigger laws set in place should the landmark decision be overturned
The gathering starts with a prayer and a dance in honor of the state’s two-spirit community #utpol
The event’s second speaker reminded the crowd of the “urgent necessity for reproductive freedom,” and called out “incompetent dinosaurs in office” attempting to walk back reproductive rights #utleg
Small but loud contingent of counter-protesters is here, mainly arguing with reproductive rights supporters and attempting to disrupt the speeches
Unrattled, Laura from Chile shared her own abortion story and asked attendees to think of undocumented women whose access to the most basic healthcare is oftentimes null
Rally still going strong. As soon as a pair of state troopers attempted to apprehend a couple of topless protesters, a human shield formed and shirts were provided to them. This is Utah #utpol#utleg
Gathering begins to unwind with a musical break
A few more signs spotted in the crowd (including an unexpected Will Smith crossover)
Crowd, which one state trooper told me he estimated to be around 1,500 strong, has begun to disperse
Meanwhile, another trooper attempted to convince an organizer with @SLERMovement to not match through the SLC streets. He’s telling her marchers’ safety cannot be guaranteed and it would be a detriment to the cause
Main event has ended without incident, other than one person with possible heat exhaustion
Medical services have arrived to assist
As everyone regrouped, a member of @pslsaltlake began leading the crowd in chant. Word is a march to the City and County Bldg. will follow, echoing Tuesday’s protest
On the building’s east steps, a feeling of euphoria reminiscent of a music festival has taken ahold, with a few naked torsos, energetic chanting and sporadic dancing
• Don’t cry for them, Salt Lake City •
Hearty crowd of around 200 still going strong, chanting “Our bodies, our choice” and “F- the Supreme Court”
Hundreds descend upon the Utah Capitol today for the first iteration of #UtahMarch
The gathering originally had an immigration focus, but after organizers asked potential attendees to bring IDs, and suspicion around the nascent group began to form, it shifted to a general human rights rally #utpol
Under the unifying message, locals came out in droves to hear messages centered around women’s, immigrant and LGBTQIA+ rights
Happening now: A group 1,000 strong is gathered at the Utah Capitol as part of the 50 protests/50 states initiative #utpol
US and trans pride flags — as well as signs emblazoned with messages like “We the people reject the oligarchy” and “What happened to all lives matter?” pepper the sizable crowd
Road closure on 1300 East by the I-80 entrance due to a protest in progress #slc #utah #upol
The SLC gathering—which closed down the busy Sugar House intersection for nearly two hours—was part of a Global Day of Action that saw similar disruptive events in 100 cities across 45 countries
A winter weather advisory wasn’t able to deter the hundreds who showed up on Saturday. In between chants and speeches, some speculated the protest might turn into a march on the freeway itself, but that didn’t materialize
‘Rally for Reproductive Freedom’ underway at the state Capitol #utpol#utleg
“We stand in solidarity with all AFAB individuals, and recognize that our country has never truly ensured the rights that they deserve,” organizers Pro Choice People of Utah said
Attendees are carrying signs emblazoned with messages like, Red, white and trash,” “Land of the free, my ass,” and Abortion is Liberty”
A few hundred are out today at SLC’s Washington Square Park in response to SCOTUS’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade #utpol
Utah is one of a handful of states with a “trigger” ban that takes effect after an official certifies that all or part of the landmark decision has been overturned #utleg