PROVO, Utah – Utahns held two rallies with divergent messages on Saturday in response to national mass shootings.
More than one hundred people gathered in Salt Lake City’s International Peace Gardens on Saturday morning to protest anti-Asian racism. People held signs saying “Stop Asian Hate” and Utahns of Asian descent gave speeches about their experiences with discrimination.
When asked by a speaker what they do when Asian people are under attack, attendees chanted, “Stand up, fight back!”
On the same day, about 150 Utahns gathered outside the Capitol Building in Salt Lake City in support of gun rights. People gave speeches warning that President Joe Biden wants to take away guns. They said that innocent people will lose their guns because of the crimes of a few bad people. Attendees said guns are a “God-given right” in America. They also said no one has the right to force anyone to wear a mask.
Organizer Jacob IsBell sang the Bob Marley and the Wailers’ song “Get Up, Stand Up” while playing a guitar at the pro-gun rally.
