Cathedral in downtown Salt Lake City provides sanctuary to protestors amid shooting

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Amidst the shooting that took place at the “No Kings” protest in downtown Salt Lake City Saturday night, a nearby cathedral opened its doors to those seeking shelter.

The Right Reverend Phyllis Spiegel, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, was standing at the top of the stairs that lead up to the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, watching the protestors in solidarity, when gunfire erupted nearby.

“Without hesitation, we opened the Cathedral’s red doors, doors that are longstanding symbols of sanctuary, and encouraged people to quickly get inside,” she said in a press release.

“Calls echoed through the street, ‘Go to the church! They have opened the church!’ Within minutes, the pews were filled with individuals, families, and children seeking safety,” she added. “Our role was clear: to offer help, to offer refuge, to be a peaceful presence in the midst of fear.”

Within a minute, the pews inside were filled with those seeking safety.

The Cathedral offered their condolences to the family of Afa Ah Loo, the victim who was killed in the shooting, and to all who were traumatized by the event: “For those who now carry
guilt, sorrow, or remorse, we pray for healing.”