40 community members and organizations gathered on a cold Saturday afternoon to protest Trump’s
declaration of a national emergency on the US-Mexico border. People came out to denounce what is
understood as a racist and anti-immigrant “emergency” and border wall. They also came because of the anti
immigrant attacks that continue to happen in Salt Lake City. Black and brown people continue to be brutalized
by the police, family members continue to be deported, and anti-immigrant white supremacist groups have
started organizing on college campuses in the city.
Ella Mendoza with the Nopalera Artist Collective said they came “because I’m undocumented and fuck
anyone who is trying to pick on my people.” When asked what needs to be done next, they urged people to
create: banners, rallies, art, anything but sitting around and doing nothing. Nassir, who is twelve and a member
of the Brown Berets, says he doesn’t know what needs to be done next but that he showed up because “I like to
protest for my dad . . . he got deported.”
Students from both the University of Utah and Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) came to the rally
concerned about the emerging white supremacist activity on both campuses. “We’re trying to organize an event
at our school, because I feel like our school sort of stays quiet when certain things happen, and it needs to be
addressed,” said Cici with the Latinx Student Union at SLCC.
The Trump administration needs to know that they are facing resistance from across the United States, and that
Salt Lake City will stand strong and fight for our undocumented friends and family until the attacks stop.
LIBERATION FOR ALL!
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