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SALT LAKE CITY — Even if Donald Trump doesn't show up for the GOP presidential debate in Utah, his presence will still be felt Monday, March 21.
"If Trump doesn't come here it doesn't mean that these things are going away," said Theresa Nielson, president of the University of Utah Students for a Democratic Society.
Nielson believes Trump's rhetoric is "outrageous" and "oppressive." That's why she and her student alliance is organizing a rally on Monday at 6 p.m. ahead of the GOP debate at the Wallace Bennett Federal Building.
"We made a bunch of pinatas that look like Trump and we're going to try to get candy out of them," Nielson said.
The rally will begin with speeches from various members of the community, including Selam Rasta and members of the Utah Anti-War Committee, Together Without Borders, Planned Parenthood, Socialist Alternative and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.
Neilson said it's not about standing up against one candidate over another, rather standing for a message she believes many Utahns agree with. "If you don't like racism and if you want to stand against xenophobia, sexism, ableism and what not, you should stand against it. These things aren't going away if you sit at home and do nothing."
SDS labels itself as "a radical, multi-issue student and youth organization working to build power in our schools and communities." SDS has over 25 chapters and affiliate student groups at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada.
