Rallies over Bears Ears act as prelude to Zinke's visit


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SALT LAKE CITY — For scores of Utahns, preserving the monument status of the state's newest protected public lands and one of its more revered places was more than enough reason to spend a weekend afternoon at the state Capitol.

Hundreds of people fanned out across the front lawn and stairs leading up to the Capitol on Saturday to show their support for the national monument status of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante.

The "Monumental Rally," as it was called, was organized as "an urgent call to action" because the two monuments are in the crosshairs of powerful political interests, including Utah's congressional delegation and members of the Trump administration.

Opponents call the designations by two Democratic presidents — Barack Obama for Bears Ears and Bill Clinton for Grand Staircase-Escalante — federal overreach that didn't take into account the feelings and sensibilities of local interests.

Contrarily, supporters believe the designations preserve the land considered hallowed by Native Americans for centuries.

"My ancestors lived in the area and traded with other Native Americans in the area," explained Hank Stevens, member of the Navajo Nation. "The land is sacred in Native American culture. It's very important."

Stevens expressed concern that if the monument status were rescinded by the Trump administration, revered artifacts may be destroyed and many of the traditions practiced by local tribes could be lost.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is scheduled to be in Utah this week to visit with stakeholders concerned about the designation of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante as national monuments. The Trump administration has directed Zinke to conduct a 45-day review of the Bears Ears monument and a 120-day review of Grand Staircase-Escalante, then offer some recommendations.

The state Capitol rally was organized by Gavin Noyes, executive director of Utah Diné Bikéyah — a nonprofit organization that supports indigenous communities in protecting culturally significant ancestral lands.

An attendee wears a bear hat during a rally in favor of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante remaining national monuments at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 6, 2017. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
An attendee wears a bear hat during a rally in favor of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante remaining national monuments at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 6, 2017. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

Noyes said Utahns must show Zinke that supporters intend to defend culturally important places such as Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante.

"This event is really important to remind Utahns that this is not a political issue," he said. "All Utahns care about our public lands and monuments. I'm proud to see so many of my fellow citizens out here supporting each other and supporting the land, and standing up for what's best for our future.

"We (also) want to remind people that local voices matter, and they should have a say in how lands are treated in this state. The governor and the Utah (congressional) delegation are out of touch."

Buoyed by a strong turnout, with throngs of people wearing "Protect Bears Ears" T-shirts and many hoisting signs supporting the individual causes of both national monuments, Noyes said he believes the message of the people will resonate with Zinke while he's in Utah.

"If Secretary Zinke gets a full understanding of who we are as Utahns and what our landscapes are like, I absolutely think that he would stand with us defend these lands," Noyes said.

Salt Lake City resident Ian Wade said because Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante are such "special" places, they deserve the added protection of monument status. He attributed much of the opposition to the monument status to partisanship.

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"It's a political thing. People are just opposed to the idea that President Obama designated something in Utah just like they hated President Clinton when he designated Grand Staircase," Wade said. "Just the simple anger that a Democrat would do something in a Republican state."

Meanwhile, opponents of the monument designation gathered simultaneously at Pioneer Park in Blanding for a rally organized by Stewards of San Juan County.

Unlike monument supporters who are backed by corporations and the likes of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Stewards of San Juan County has been a true grass-roots effort, said the organization’s president, Jami Bayles.

People have literally walked up to her and other leaders of the group on the streets, offering the cash in their pockets to fight the designation, she said.

Ultimately, “it’s a fight about what’s right and what’s wrong,” Bayles said.

Area residents have been slighted by name-calling, insults, purposely left out by organizations conducting public opinion polls, and personal accounts of some opponents of the designation have even been dismissed as “fake news,” she said.

Large crowds listen to speakers during a rally in favor of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante remaining national monuments at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 6, 2017. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News) Open Full Size
Large crowds listen to speakers during a rally in favor of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante remaining national monuments at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, May 6, 2017. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News) Open Full Size

“We’ve been told by out-of-state recreation enthusiasts that, ‘My hobby is more important than your livelihood. If you don’t like it, go live somewhere else,’” Bayles said.

Through it all, area residents have stood resolute against the designation in the waning days of the Obama administration.

“The best part is we did this together. We did this on our own time and, we did this on our own dime. We paid for all this ourselves,” Bayles said.

San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman urged those in attendance to be “loud and controversial.” Otherwise, the county “is going to be steamrolled,” he said.

Still, Bayles and Lyman urged opponents to comport themselves with grace and decency during Zinke’s upcoming visit to the area and the ongoing fight.

"It's San Juan County's opportunity to show who we are with dignity and respect," Lyman said.


It's a political thing. People are just opposed to the idea that President Obama designated something in Utah just like they hated President Clinton when he designated Grand Staircase. Just the simple anger that a Democrat would do something in a Republican state.

–Ian Wade, Salt Lake City resident


While Bears Ears is one of 27 national monuments that will be reviewed under an executive order by President Trump signed Friday, the outcome is yet unknown. Bayles said opponents of the designation will continue to fight “long and hard. We’re going to fight with everything that we have.”

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, addressing the rally via FaceTime, said he will urge Zinke during his upcoming visit to Utah to end the monument designation.

“It’s time to expect, my fellow Americans, to expect more. It’s time to expect freedom,” Lee said.

Eva Clarke, secretary of Stewards of San Juan County, said the fight has been a painful reminder that area residents must constantly be engaged to protect the land and way of life.

Area residents have joined forces with “my ancestors … who first loved this beautiful, red earth,” Clarke said.

“Thank you so much. Keep up the good fight,” she said.

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