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Gov. declares state of emergency as protesters block traffic, paint street
Jul 9, 2020, 7:18 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2022, 11:25 am
SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert declared a state of emergency Thursday night after protests escalated in downtown Salt Lake City and police tried to get protesters to disperse.
Protesters paint the street
The protests began peacefully. Protesters blocked traffic and painted the street and parts of the district attorney’s office building red Thursday night after Salt Lake County DA ruled the shooting of Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal was justified.
Protestors paint 500 South red to protest Sim Gill’s decision, calling the shooting of Bernardo Palacios Carbajal justified. pic.twitter.com/jgr0lvSo4J
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) July 10, 2020
At one point, protesters used their bodies and umbrellas to try to block reporters from filming what they were doing.
Protestors are blocking reporters from filming. Some are using black umbrellas to block cameras, claiming video has been used to find and arrest people. pic.twitter.com/dwBptL04H8
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) July 10, 2020
Protesters gathered on 500 South outside the DA’s office, hours after prosecutor Sim Gill announced he would not charge the officers involved in the police shooting that killed Palacios-Carbajal. It also came shortly after family members of Palacios-Carbajal said they planned to file a civil lawsuit.
Protestors paint 500 South red to protest Sim Gill’s decision, calling the shooting of Bernardo Palacios Carbajal justified. pic.twitter.com/jgr0lvSo4J
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) July 10, 2020
Efforts to disperse the crowds
Salt Lake City Police announced they would “disburse [sic] the group” after some protesters broke windows.
It appears the police are preparing to push the protestors away from 500 South. Protestors have locked arms across the road. pic.twitter.com/BpW36AvgHI
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) July 10, 2020
A couple of protestors smashed some of the windows of the SLCO DA’s office. pic.twitter.com/AYiZLJWDuA
— Paul Nelson (@KSLPaul) July 10, 2020
Shortly after the department sent out a tweet to that effect, reporters witnessed a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter circling the area. They could hear its loudspeaker announcing “Unlawful assembly. Leave the area.”
The governor’s emergency declaration closes the state capitol and grounds to anyone other than state workers and officials. It also allows the state to assist local Salt Lake City authorities.
Related coverage:
- Protester arrested after rally over Salt Lake police shooting
- Salt Lake City starts Commission on Racial Equity in Policing
- OPINION: Council’s inflammatory police shooting response isn’t leadership
- Body cam footage reveals officers shot a man in the back
This story will be updated.