This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
My wife and I participated in a recent post-election march in downtown Salt Lake City a few weeks ago. We went not to sniffle and cry about the recent election results but to support, among other things, the Paris climate change accord; immigrants fearful about the new president elect; LGBTQ rights; continued environmental protection, etc.
We walked up State Street in an orderly manner to the state Capitol lawn. One fellow marcher was making rude comments and gestures to a Salt Lake City Police Department patrolman who was there controlling traffic to keep us safe. The policeman allowed this one marcher to finish his diatribe before saying back, "Have a nice day!"
What our police do in the name of law and order is incredible. My hat is off to this fine officer who did his duty in a simple but most profound way! Protecting our right to assemble and voice our concerns in a lawful way while being berated by one loudmouth.
Thank you, SLCPD and the Utah Highway Patrol.
Bill Wegesser
Salt Lake City