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Some 50 local and state elected officials, faith leaders, members of the business community and other Utahns stood together on the steps of the State Capitol Wednesday morning as a show of support and unity among all residents.
Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams said everyone is welcome in Utah.
"You belong here. You make us stronger," he said. "You are the vital threads that make up the tapestry of our state."
Pastor France Davis of the Calvary Baptist church told Utahns, "We are all in this together."
Everyone should get equal opportunities in education and work, he said.
"We all belong here," Davis said. "No one should feel they are going to be hauled away to someplace else."
The gathering is the latest effort to emphasize inclusion and respect for all, no matter their politics, religion, ethnicity, gender, or economic status.
It comes on the heels of reports by some local schools and others about bullying, threats and intimidation experienced in the aftermath of the election season.
Many have expressed fear that the divisive rhetoric of President-elect Donald Trump during the campaign may provoke people to act out against minorities, refugees, immigrants and other members of vulnerable populations.
Immigrants are important for the economic health of the state, said Lane Beattie, who heads up the Salt Lake Area Chamber. Utah's strength comes from everyone who works to build a better community here, he added.
Others in attendance included House Speaker Greg Hughes; Mike Mower, deputy chief of staff to Gov. Gary Herbert; state Reps. Patrice Arent, Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Brian King and Joel Briscoe; Utah Episcopal Bishop Scott Hayashi; Noor Ul-Hasan, a community activist who is Muslim; Salt Lake City Council members Stan Penfold and Andrew Johnston; and Pat Jones, CEO of the Women's Leadership Institute.