UPDATE: SLC Mayor issues curfew, Gov. Herbert activates National Guard after protests turn violent
May 30, 2020, 3:36 PM | Updated: 6:55 pm
Photo credit: Kevin LaRue, KSL NewsRadio
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued an 8 p.m. curfew for the city Saturday, after violent protests broke out in response to the death of George Floyd. This curfew will remain in effect until Monday 6 a.m.
The curfew will prohibit residents from gathering in public areas with some exceptions:
Exceptions are:
Law enforcement, fire, paramedics or other medical personnel, news media, people traveling directly to and from work, traveling directly to and from the Airport, seeking medical care, fleeing dangerous circumstances, or those experiencing homelessness. pic.twitter.com/8VYvgZILxe— SLC Police Dept. (@slcpd) May 31, 2020
SLCPD Chief Mike Brown said the police department will enforce this curfew and will extend it if necessary, he said during an emergency press conference Saturday.
“I’m pleading with you to clear the city,” Brown said.
This comes less than an hour after Gov. Gary Herbert has activated the National Guard in response to riots and protests in downtown Salt Lake City.
What started as a peaceful protest turned violent earlier Saturday afternoon, resulting in protesters breaking Library Square Trax station windows and looting a nearby 7-Eleven.
We condemn violence and looting. I have activated the National Guard to help control the escalating situation in downtown Salt Lake City. I once again call on all who are protesting to do so peacefully.
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) May 30, 2020
Police responded in riot gear with reports of tear gas being unleashed toward crowds near the SLCPD headquarters.
The situation has escalated again. Protesters smashed windows of another police car, and some tear gas was just deployed in the area. #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/pyFkNv8afB
— Jacob Klopfenstein (@JFKlopfenstein) May 30, 2020
Earlier updates:
A police car has been destroyed and multiple buildings spray-painted with graffiti as protests became chaotic Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City.
Protesters gathered today in downtown Salt Lake City to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer was seen on video kneeling on his neck in Minneapolis.
Police car destroyed
The protest has escalated from peaceful chanting to property damage. A police car has been completely destroyed and there is broken glass all over 400 South and 200 East in Salt Lake City.
KSL reporter Paul Nelson was on the scene and captured it in a Livestream to Facebook.
Nelson shared photos of the burning police cruiser on Twitter. Reporters on the scene did not observe any attempt to put out the flames. Nelson also witnessed damage to a Utah Transit Authority Trax station near 400 S. 200 E.
A cop car is overturned and set on fire and a Trax station was demolished on the corner of 400 South and 200 East pic.twitter.com/H1MRwnGFtb
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) May 30, 2020
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) May 30, 2020
KSL’s Kelli Pierce also shared live video from the scene.
Cop car on fire during #GeorgeFloyd protests in #SLC https://t.co/TomyzeWgih
— Kelli Pierce (@KelliReports) May 30, 2020
#GeorgeFloydProtests in #SLC pic.twitter.com/wugg1ceQN3
— Kelli Pierce (@KelliReports) May 30, 2020
— Kelli Pierce (@KelliReports) May 30, 2020
Vandalism and other damage
Witnesses reported damage to the state capitol building and grounds as well, and protest activity meant UTA temporarily stopped servicing the immediate area.
#TRAX Update 3:56PM: Trains no longer servicing Courthouse, Library, or Trolley Square station due to protesters in area. No bus bridge at this time. NB trains turning around at 900 S. Blue Line and Green Line SB turning at Gallivan station.
— UTA (@RideUTA) May 30, 2020
Someone spray painted other vehicles and buildings in the area as well. Some of those vehicles could be seen on their sides.
By late Saturday afternoon, Salt Lake City police asked residents to stay away from the downtown area because of “civil unrest.”
Due to civil unrest in downtown Salt Lake City, we ask that you please stay out of the metro area at this time if you’re able. Thank you. https://t.co/X6gj9EJUuO
— SLC Police Dept. (@slcpd) May 30, 2020
Moving to the Capitol
Protesters eventually moved from the area around Library Square toward the state capitol, where Utah Highway Patrol troopers formed a line, apparently to prevent the crowd from breaking into the building.
Protestors reach the UtahCapitol Complex. https://t.co/u3qDcH1Rmb
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) May 30, 2020
Late Saturday, Gov. Gary Herbert issued a statement condemning the death of George Floyd in Minnesota while also asking for Utah residents to exercise their free speech rights peacefully.
We are in close contact with our department of public safety and receiving regular updates. Our hearts break for the family of George Floyd and for his unnecessary death. We are grateful for the swift actions taken by the state of Minnesota to hold those responsible for his death accountable. We can not, however, condone violence, defacement of public buildings, and destruction of property. We call upon the good people of Utah to engage civilly and to act peaceably as they seek to exercise their First Amendment rights.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
