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SALT LAKE CITY — A crowd of nearly 40 people gathered downtown raised an angry cry as they received word the Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who shot Michael Brown will not be indicted.
The local protesters chanted "these killer cops have got to go" as they checked their phones for updates about the decision, devolving into shouting and expletives as it was announced there was not probable cause to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
The group formed a circle outside the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, bundled against the cold. Meanwhile, officers from the Department of Homeland Security watched from inside the building.
Three officers brought out a dog to inspect the area after the crowd dispersed, but no police were present during the demonstration.
Chris Manor, who organized the demonstration, read a statement by Brown's father asking for peace before leading the group in 4 ½ minutes of silence, recognizing the hours Brown's body lay in the street following the shooting.
Gregory Lucero, part of the group Utah Against Police Brutality, criticized local officers as a "street gang" as he addressed the crowd.
"I know that anytime a police officer talks to me, it could end up with me face down on the ground with bullets in my back, just like Mike Brown, just like Darrien Hunt, Danielle Willard, and Dillon Taylor," Lucero said. "It could happen to any of us now, black, brown or white."
Lucero called the decision not to indict a "tragedy."
Manor announced that another demonstration is being planned for Saturday and a planning meeting in December, asking the crowd to return with friends and family.
"Are we going to let them get away with it?" he asked the crowd. "We dare to stand up. We dare to strike back."
Salt Lake City resident Gabriella Andersson said she was joining with others conducting similar demonstrations Monday.
"It's important for us to be here in Salt Lake City so we can stand with people all around the country to show it's not OK what's happening in Ferguson," she said. "This is an issue that happens in Utah, too."
The crowd didn't stay long as temperatures dropped. They raised one more chant of "Hands up! Don't shoot!" — a cry that has become associated with Brown's death, and gathered to take a photo.
"Put your hands up. Let them know we're here for Ferguson," Manor told them.
