HERRIMAN, Utah (ABC4) — Utah leaders are speaking out after members of an extremist group gathered near Herriman City Hall to protest “invaders” earlier this week.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, protesters were captured on video carrying several flags and banners. These flags included the Utah state flag, the Betsy Ross flag, and flags that were branded with a logo belonging to the white supremacist group Patriot Front. The group took credit for the demonstration, saying on its website that it was a “demonstration against cartel violence in Utah.”
Herriman City spokesperson Jon LaFollette told ABC4.com at the time that no illegal activity occurred during the protest and it remained peaceful. However, some Utah leaders still spoke out against the gathering, saying the Patriot Front’s messaging was not welcome.
Herriman City Mayor Lorin Palmer said he was deeply concerned with Saturday’s demonstration. He emphasized that it was the group’s First Amendment right to speech and peaceful assembly, but messages of hatred and intimidation would “fall on deaf ears.”
“Our residents possess a wide array of political ideologies, but there is at least one thing that is universally embraced: hatred is not a part of who we are,” said Palmer. “Every member of our community has value, and we stand by each other.”
Sen. Luz Escamilla and Rep. Angela Romero, leaders within Utah’s Democratic caucus, said they were outraged by the gathering, calling it an “anti-American, hate-fueled rally.” In a joint statement, the two Democratic lawmakers said the demonstration specifically targeted vulnerable communities, including the immigrant community.
“There is no space in Utah for this type of hated,” said Escamilla and Romero. “We will continue to fight harmful rhetoric and not allow for hate to define our state.”
The Utah Department of Public Safety told ABC4.com it was aware of the concerns raised by both the public and local law enforcement regarding Patriot Front’s presence. A spokesperson with the Statewide Information and Analysis Center said that ensuring safety and security within Utah is a top priority for the Department and it will work closely with local law enforcement to support their efforts.
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