State of Emergency
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of planned protests at The Utah State Capitol this weekend.
According to the governor’s website, the precaution is being taken due to the siege of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6.
The order says that the Capitol Hill complex, facilities and grounds will be under the state of emergency from Jan. 15-21, 2021.
During Thursday’s weekly COVID-19 briefing, Cox addressed the possible unrest that could occur at the Capitol over the next few days.
“We respect and honor your first amendment right to gather, but we want to make it very clear that the constitution only protects your right to gather peacefully. There will be zero tolerance for any violence whatsoever or any property destruction.”
When asked what it would take to deploy the national guard, Cox responded that it’s not going to take much at all.
“As soon as those gatherings start to occur, they will be here to ensure the Capitol is not vulnerable in any way,” he said.
Cox added that they will be working very closely with everyone involved in the Capitol complex to make sure they are prepared for whatever comes their way.
According to the order, the governor has asked the Utah National Guard, Utah Highway Patrol and various area police departments to stand ready to ensure the safety of lives and property at Utah’s Capitol.
The riot at the capital was wrong. It’s very apparent that the majority of the country condemned those actions very strongly. I think that is what will be the theme of everyone at this juncture. Anything said otherwise, is just politics.
100% agree. That being said I feel it’s important for American Citizens to continue to express their 1st amendment rights and continue to PEACEFULLY protest the injustices our government has bestowed upon us as well as the injustices inflicted upon our black communities. Their work and words are still critical to bringing about much needed change in our country. People shouldn’t fear retribution for peaceful protesting.