‘This is a way to show them we have a voice’: Utah sees state-wide ‘Good Trouble’ protests

UTAH (ABC4) — Attendees protested across Utah state, joining hundreds of thousands nationwide, in demonstrations meant to remember civil rights leader John Lewis and protest recent legislation.

Today, demonstrations occurred across the nation as a protest to the Trump Administration’s policies, designated as the ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ movement. Across Utah, eight ‘Good Trouble’ events were scheduled throughout the day.

Protests were scheduled in St George, Orem, Brigham City, and Salt Lake City, amongst other cities, in key areas, like courthouses and community spaces.

Holly Bright, a South SLC resident, told ABC4 why she showed up to one of the protests. She said, “I’m in my 60s and this is the first event I’ve ever been to in my life. I’m so terrified with where we’re headed and I don’t know what to do.”

According to organizers, these demonstrations call for an end to several to the Trump administration’s policies, including crackdowns on rights to vote and protest, legislation targeting minorities, and cuts to programs like Medicaid.

The organization’s name comes from the late Civil Rights leader and former U.S. Congressman John Lewis who used the term ‘Good Trouble’ to describe necessary, but peaceful protest. Today, July 17, is the fifth anniversary of his death.

Aurellia Sanders, the founder of Indivisible Box Elder and attendee at the Brigham City protest, said, “I think [it] will help people know that they are not alone, that we can make a difference, and that it us okay to stand up and say, ‘I disagree'”.

Over four dozen people attended the Brigham City protest, and even more went to the Salt Lake City one, starting at 7pm at the Capitol building.

Good Trouble SLC Protest. Courtesy: Bayan Wang / KTVX

The demonstration organizers decided not to organize a march in Salt Lake City, following the fatal shooting of local fashion designer Afa Ah Loo at the ‘No Kings’ protests last month.

Jamie Carter, the Political and Partnerships Director with Demcast USA, told ABC4, “We felt it was too soon after what happened at the No Kings event to do a march. Instead, we’ve got some great speakers, we’ll have music, and we have a bunch of organizations…so people can talk to local organizations on the ground and find out how to get involved in local activities.”

Carmen Brown, who attended the SLC protest, said the goal of the protest was, “to get the attention of our local leaders that when they’re representing us in congress, they do the right thing- they do what we elected them to do. [And] this is a way to show them we have a voice.”

Winston Armani and Bayan Wang contributed to this story.