A new “No Kings” rally is set to take place this Saturday at the Utah State Capitol, with organizers promising strict safety measures following the fatal shooting that occurred during a similar protest four months ago in downtown Salt Lake City.
The upcoming event, scheduled for 11 a.m., is being organized by Salt Lake Indivisible, a separate group from the one behind the June 14 demonstration, where Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a bystander, was tragically shot and killed by a volunteer peacekeeper. The organization behind that protest, Utah 50501, is not involved in Saturday’s rally.
Focus on Safety and De-escalation
Organizers from Salt Lake Indivisible say their top priority is ensuring a peaceful and secure event. “Peaceful protests are such an important part of our American experience,” said Sarah Buck, one of the event’s organizers. “It’s important as organizers to ensure that’s what you deliver when people come to an event.”
The group has worked closely with local partners and the Salt Lake City Police Department to develop comprehensive safety protocols. Each participating host organization — whether in Utah or other cities holding simultaneous No Kings events — is now required to appoint a safety lead, a media lead, and to submit a written safety plan. In addition, all organizers must complete a safety and de-escalation training program.
“These new measures are being implemented across all No Kings events,” said Jamie Carter, another Salt Lake Indivisible representative. “Every volunteer must attend in-person training, and none of our volunteers will be armed. We’re asking the public to remain unarmed as well.”
Coordination With Law Enforcement
The Salt Lake City Police Department confirmed it is coordinating with organizers to ensure the event runs smoothly.
“It’s important to understand what organizers expect from their crowd and what they’re representing,” said Detective Greg Lovell. “We’re making sure we have adequate staffing to monitor any issues that might arise.”
Adjusting the Event Plan
Originally planned as both a rally and a march, organizers decided to cancel the march portion after registration numbers exceeded expectations. “As the numbers crept up, we realized we didn’t have the resources to safely support both,” Buck said. “We decided to focus on the rally at the Capitol so everyone could participate safely in one place.”
Commitment to a Peaceful Demonstration
Organizers expect thousands of attendees at the Capitol and are emphasizing unity, safety, and empowerment.
“We want this to be a community event,” Carter said. “People should come together, feel heard, and leave feeling inspired and fired up — not fearful.”
By strengthening their security plan, working with authorities, and promoting nonviolence, Salt Lake Indivisible hopes to rebuild trust in public demonstrations and ensure that this weekend’s protest is remembered for its message — not its tragedy.
