Thousands of Utahns are expected to gather at the Utah State Capitol this Saturday for the state’s largest “No Kings” protest, a nationwide movement organized in opposition to the administration of President Donald Trump. The event, which organizers describe as a “healing” demonstration, comes just four months after a deadly shooting during a related march in downtown Salt Lake City.
According to Jamie Carter, lead organizer with Salt Lake Indivisible, the turnout is expected to far exceed initial expectations. By Friday afternoon, more than 2,500 people had RSVP’d, and Carter now estimates that between 9,000 and 12,000 attendees could join Saturday’s event, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
“This is not a moment in our history where we can be silent,” Carter said. “We want this to be a time of unity, peace, and reflection — not fear.”
A Focus on Healing and Peace
Saturday’s “No Kings” gathering will feature speeches, musical performances, and comedy acts meant to inspire solidarity and hope after a summer marked by violence. Organizers say their goal is to reclaim the protest’s spirit of peaceful dissent and honor those affected by the tragedy of June 14, when fashion designer Afa Ah Loo was shot and killed during a separate, unrelated “No Kings” march in downtown Salt Lake City.
Carter clarified that the upcoming Capitol event is not connected to the group that organized the Pioneer Park march where the shooting occurred. The June 14 tragedy, she said, deeply affected the activist community but also strengthened its resolve.
“Nobody’s quite ready for another march yet,” Carter explained. “We want this to be a fun, community-centered, and healing event, something that brings people together rather than divides them.”
Strong Safety Protocols in Place
The Utah Highway Patrol (UHP), which oversees Capitol security, confirmed that it has not implemented extraordinary security measures for the event but will have its public order unit deployed to accommodate the larger crowd.
Salt Lake Indivisible has also organized its own safety and de-escalation teams, emphasizing a commitment to nonviolence. These volunteers have completed conflict-prevention training and pledged not to carry firearms.
Eunic Epstein-Ortiz, national spokesperson for the “No Kings” movement, reiterated the group’s dedication to peace.
“The commitment remains even more fervent,” Epstein-Ortiz said. “We are for a nonviolent movement. We are here to peacefully protest and dissent, and that commitment is unwavering — even after what happened on June 14.”
Nationwide Participation
The “No Kings” protest is not limited to Salt Lake City. Organizers say there are more than 2,700 events scheduled across the United States this weekend. In Utah alone, 14 communities will host their own gatherings in solidarity with the national movement.
Local events will take place in:
| City | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Logan | Cache County Historic Courthouse | 1–2:30 p.m. |
| Ogden | Ogden Municipal Building | 10 a.m.–noon |
| Park City | Jeremy Ranch Park & Ride | 8:30–9:30 a.m. |
| Heber City | County Building & City Hall | 11 a.m.–noon |
| Provo | Provo City Hall | 2–4 p.m. |
| Price | 120 E. Main St. | noon–3 p.m. |
| Ephraim | Ephraim City Hall | 11 a.m.–noon |
| Fillmore | 50 S. Main St. | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Moab | Swanny City Park | 9 a.m.–noon |
| Boulder | Boulder Town Park Pavilion | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| Cedar City | Main Street Park | 9:30–11:30 a.m. |
| St. George | 300 S. 400 East | 1–3 p.m. |
| Kanab | Kanab Center | 2–4 p.m. |
Each event will share the same message of peaceful resistance and community unity under the “No Kings” banner.
A Movement of Renewal and Reflection
Organizers say the Salt Lake City event has grown organically, reflecting renewed enthusiasm among Utahns for civic participation. Despite the shadow cast by June’s tragedy, Carter said the overwhelming support leading up to Saturday gives her hope.
“It’s been emotional,” she admitted. “Seeing thousands of people ready to stand up — not in anger, but in love and solidarity — shows how resilient our community truly is.”
The protest, she added, will not involve a march this time around. Organizers decided against it earlier this week due to logistical and emotional considerations. Instead, the focus will be on creating a space for healing, reflection, and rebuilding trust.
As Carter put it, “We’re not just protesting — we’re reclaiming peace.”
