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Your constitutional rights — free speech, protection from unreasonable search, due process — are under direct assault, according to Salt Lake City resident Justin Thulin, who’s calling Utahns to join nationwide “No Kings Day” protests being held today, Oct.18.
Similarly, other Utahns wrote in this week with profound concerns about the state of our country.
From labeling anti-fascists as domestic terrorists to straying away from the whole reason America was founded — folks are worried about where this is all headed.
In Thulin’s letter, the message is simple: In America, the Constitution is supposed to be king — not any single person. If you agree, he insists, it’s well-past time to protest. Read his full call to action.
— Sam Morse, Newsletter Editor
Utah Voices
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Marilou Royean joins a No Kings demonstration at Pioneer Park in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
It’s important to understand what antifa is — and isn’t
“Fascism is defined as a political agenda pursuing a repressive autocratic government,” writes Raymond A. Hult, of Bountiful. “It makes sense Trump would mislabel and disparage antifa demonstrators, since they negatively impact his concerted effort to institute a fascist regime. Although not as active as antifa protestors, the vast majority of loyal Americans, both Democratic and Republican, are against inaugurating a king-like despot to abolish the protections of the U.S. Constitution.”
“We see retribution being vigorously exacted by an increasingly senile man who wants to be a king,” writes Mark Hurst, of St. George. “A government shutdown because one political party wants to take the food out of children’s mouths so that ultra-wealthy oligarchs in this country can have tax breaks to further increase their wealth. … Americans now live in a state of helplessness because of a few greedy men and women who respond to a mad ‘wanna-be’ king out of fear of retribution. It’s criminal.”
A UVU memorial for Charlie Kirk would stand for freedom of speech. It should be erected.
“The Kirk statue should be created in memory of freedom of speech,” writes Logan Peterson, of Salt Lake City. “Americans need to be proud to have freedoms that let us be creative and express ourselves. We can’t take for granted what we so gratefully have. So when someone is prevented from using their freedoms it should be remembered, learned from and, hopefully, change.”
Why did the Legislature focus on U. trustee’s so-called ‘equity’ statements rather than her work?
“I was surprised that the reappointment of Maria Garciaz to the University of Utah Board of Trustees was voted down by the Utah Legislature’s Senate Education Confirmation Committee,” writes Larry S. Smith, of Salt Lake City. “Actually I am not surprised at the vote and committee members counting how many times she mentioned ‘equity.’ I wonder how their resumes compare with Maria’s? Did they graduate from school while working full time? Did her post-graduate success intimidate the voting members?”
Share Your Perspective
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The sun sets on the Utah Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022.
It might seem a little counter-intuitive, but federal lawmakers — despite being government employees — still get paid during a government shutdown. No furlough for them.
Some are questioning the fairness of this, including members of Utah’s congressional delegation. “It doesn’t make any sense in the world why members of Congress are the only federal employees that really get consistently paid right now,” Rep. Blake Moore told reporters this week.
So what’s your take? Should members of congress continue to receive paychecks during a government shutdown? Let us know…
From Bagley’s Desk
Pat Bagley | No Kings
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We’re always looking for fresh perspectives, ideas and solutions that’ll move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop us a note at voices@sltrib.com.