SALT LAKE CITY — Four protesters were arrested Friday afternoon after police said they blocked a Salt Lake City street during a protest against ICE that brought over 1,000 people to the downtown area.
The Salt Lake City Police Department said the protesters were arrested for blocking State Street and refusing to leave the road when ordered to do so.
"We want to thank everyone who came out and exercised their First Amendment rights peacefully. Civil discourse is the American way, and we respect the right of our community members to make their voices heard," the department said. "Our primary goal in these situations is always to ensure everyone’s safety, both those participating in demonstrations and those traveling through the area."
Those who were taken into custody face charges of Disorderly Conduct, Assault on a Police Officer, Interference, and Riot.
Despite the arrests, police commended the majority of the protesters, saying in a statement, "...the vast majority of protesters were peaceful and orderly and we appreciate that."
The incident followed the rally and subsequent march near Washington Square Park that began just after noon. The protest was one of many events in Utah and the country in which people gathered to voice their thoughts on the actions of ICE agents.
Courtesy Ruben Vallejo
Police said traffic was eventually cleared through by 6 p.m. after the incident.
Students stage anti-ICE walkouts at schools across Utah
Thousands of Utah students walked out of school Friday as part of nationwide protests, including University of Utah students we traveled together to the Washington Square event.
