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Sarah Dallof reporting Dozens of people tonight protested what's happening in Texas at a very public venue: the Jazz-Houston NBA playoff game in Salt Lake City.
The protesters say Texas authorities violated the civil rights of members of the FLDS church and are demanding mothers and children be reunited.
Things had calmed down on the plaza outside EnergySolutions Arena by 10 p.m. Some protesters went home for the night; others had tickets to the series they're demanding be canceled.
Sports and politics don't usually mix. Tonight it was unavoidable.
Protest organizer Bob Breeze said, "Those children need to be reunited with their parents."
About 40 people carrying strongly-worded signs protested the actions of Texas authorities at the YFZ Ranch. One of the protesters, Dr. Lloyd Miller, said, "As a Mormon, I feel it's today FLDS, tomorrow LDS.The tanks will be on Temple Square blowing that thing up and arresting everyone in the Mormon church," he said.
This is the second game in the Jazz-Rockets series that the group "American Citizens" has protested. Several parents brought their children.
Gail Chadwick said, "I just feel this is a good chance to teach them there are peaceful ways to show your support and settle issues."
The majority of basketball fans walking to the game didn't pay much attention to the protesters. But some couldn't pass without sharing their opinions. Jazz fan Travis Vallejo said, "It's like they're using our cause of our team doing good, going to the playoffs, for their cause. It's not good; it's embarrassing."
Earlier in the week, protest organizers had called for both teams to boycott the season. Today, they said they'd be happy with a delay of the game instead, a suggestion that doesn't sit well with fans.
Lawrence Millers said, "The Jazz players, the Rockets players, their fans, they are not the ones who made the final decision to do what was done."
Members of American Citizens haven't decided if they'll protest outside another game. They say they need to watch how the series goes then talk to one another.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
