In the wake of mass shootings nationally, some Utahns rally against anti-Asian racism while others rally for gun rights
Both demonstrations were held Saturday in Salt Lake City.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Chi Cheyenne Liang and Boone Hogg hold signs as they listen to a speaker, during a National Day of Protest to stop anti-Asian violence at a rally at the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park, on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
Cheyenne Liang Boone Hogg
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Chi Udah Emily Radivoyevich chant along with the crowd, during a National Day of Protest to stop anti-Asian violence at a rally at the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park, on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
Chi Udah Emily Radivoyevich
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Asia Carter speaks the the crowd of more than 100 people during a National Day of Protest to stop anti-Asian violence at a rally at the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park, on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Mikeyna Hoiyanyang gives a speech, during a National Day of Protest to stop anti-Asian violence at a rally at the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park, on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Wan Bin listens to the speeches, during a National Day of Protest to stop anti-Asian violence at a rally at the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park, on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Jacob IsBell sings "Get up Stand UP" by Bob Marley, to a during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Around 100 people waved flags and listened to speeches during a 2nd amendment rally in front of the Utah Capitol on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Weston Wood Leads the crowd in a chant during a National Day of Protest to stop anti-Asian violence at a rally at the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park, on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Amanda Lee Greg Carver listen to speeches, during a National Day of Protest to stop anti-Asian violence at a rally at the International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park, on Saturday, March 27, 2021.
Amanda Lee Greg Carver
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.
