Local leaders prepare for possibility of mass demonstrations as ‘No ICE’ ‘No Kings’ protests approach

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Local Utah leaders are preparing for the possibility of mass demonstrations in the wake of unrest surrounding ongoing protests in Los Angeles against President Trump’s anti-immigration policies and enforcement.

Protests are being planned nationwide, and Utah’s “No ICE” “No Kings” protests are set to take place in multiple cities across Utah this week, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Moab and St. George.

Protests began in Los Angeles over the weekend, and President Donald Trump called in National Guard troops and deployed marines to attempt to curb illegal and violent behavior within the demonstrations. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a curfew for downtown LA, to stop bad actors, she said.

How is Salt Lake City preparing?

The Salt Lake City Police Department is preparing for the possibility of mass demonstrations, they said.

Brent Weisberg, a spokesperson for SLCPD, spoke with ABC4.com about how they are preparing. He said that they are closely monitoring demonstrations that have been happening across the country, and that at this time, there is no information to suggest that there is any planned civil unrest in Salt Lake City.

“Salt Lake City has a long history of safe and lawful demonstrations, and that history goes back for several years,” Weisberg said. “Salt Lake City is a proud city to fully support First Amendment rights and the safe and lawful ability to gather and share one another’s beliefs.”

He said that they expect safe and lawful protests to occur over the next several days and stressed that their first priority is the safety of demonstrators.

“Our police officers are highly trained to handle large demonstrations,” Weisberg said. “Our first priority is the safety of those demonstrators who want to come to Salt Lake City to safely and legally voice their beliefs and to share their thoughts. We are a welcoming city.”

However, Weisberg also said that SLCPD will not tolerate any violence or destruction. “If there are individuals who want to come and break the law, who create a dangerous environment, who break the law, we will absolutely respond accordingly.”

“We have a responsibility to make sure that our officers are safe and that our community members are safe as well,” Weisberg concluded.

Riverton Leaders speak out

Mayor Trent Staggs of Riverton and several Riverton city council members took a slightly different tone. They issued a statement in response to “ongoing riots throughout the country.”

“What we are witnessing with these riots is insurrection and brute-force anarchy,” they wrote. “Those who are not peacefully protesting are demonstrating coordinated attacks on our nation’s institutions, cities, and citizens.”

They said that they have “zero tolerance for this behavior.” Though they affirmed the right of citizens to peacefully protest, they stressed that anyone engaging in civil unrest or violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The statement did not specify any specific actions the city of Riverton or Riverton Police Department is taking to prepare for upcoming demonstrations.

Governor Cox’s office coordinates with law enforcement

Governor Cox discussed the large-scale protests in Los Angeles and Trump’s response during a press conference Tuesday, and he said that any sort of rioting or violence will not be allowed in Utah.

“The minute you spray paint the Capitol, the second you implement violence or property destruction, we will arrest you and we will hold you accountable,” Cox said. “We will break up the disturbance that is happening. We are going to be overprepared, and just a word of warning to anybody who’s thinking of any type of violence, or chaos, or property damage, or vandalism: it will not happen here, and you will be held accountable.”

Cox emphasized that he supports the rights of citizens to peacefully protest, but he has absolutely no tolerance for demonstrations escalating to violence. He said he wants Utah to be the “worst place to riot.”

In a post to X Wednesday, Cox elaborated. “My office is coordinating closely with state and local law enforcement to ensure safety and uphold the rule of law. We are prepared.”

“To those who exercise their rights peacefully in the coming days: thank you,” he continued. “That’s the Utah way. Breaking the law in the name of protest will not be tolerated.”