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Editor's note: The case detailed in this story was expunged from court records on July 27, 2023.
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake police say peaceful demonstrations are fine.
But vandalism is not.
On Saturday, about 300 people held a protest and march in downtown Salt Lake City on the heels of several high-profile, officer-involved shootings both locally and around the nation.
The rally began at the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 121 S. State, went to the Matheson Courthouse, 450 S. State, and later the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building, 475 S. 300 East.
While police said the overall majority of the crowd "remained civil and calm," one man was arrested for allegedly vandalizing each of the properties he visited.
Christjen Smith, 19, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of four counts of vandalism, being a minor in possession of alcohol, marijuana possession and having a fake ID.
Police say Smith, who tried to cover his face by putting a shirt over his head, used permanent ink to write multiple phrases at each of the locations. Some of those included a vulgarity against the police, according to officers. Other phrases included "Who do you serve?" and "Equal punishment."
After Smith was stopped by officers when the rally was over, they discovered marijuana in his backpack and a flask with whiskey in his pocket, police said.
According to court records, Smith was convicted on a charge of being an alcohol restricted driver in June.
