OREM, Utah — A group that calls itself “Defending Utah” is against mandates that require people to wear masks to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
They held a “Rally for Freedom” Wednesday at a city park in Orem.
Nevada rancher and activist Ammon Bundy addressed the crowd.
Bundy is known for an armed standoff with federal authorities at his ranch over grazing rights in 2014, and for leading the 2016 occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.
“There’s a battle right now for the right to, who has the right to rule, who has the right to rule ourselves, even who has the right to rule our communities, our countries, our states our counties,” Ammon said at the Orem rally. “That battle is raging right now but it really comes down personally to who has a right to rule our bodies.”
The rally remained peaceful.