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SALT LAKE CITY — About 350 disgruntled Utah residents marched from Washington Square to the state Capitol to demonstrate their displeasure over the 2016 presidential election, with many vowing they will not accept Donald Trump as the nation's leader.
Several uniformed police monitored Saturday's four-hour long event, which featured traded insults but no reports of any injuries.
"Everybody followed the rules and came out to have their voices heard," said Utah Highway Patrol trooper Randall Richey.
Some sported signs with expletives, but others waved U.S. flags or signs that said "love" or "peace."
The Salt Lake protest was one of several held across the country as people who say they are disappointed, angry, bitter or fearful due to Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Thousands marched in New York City on Saturday to Trump Tower and crowds also swelled in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Saturday's event in Salt Lake City marked the third protest in Utah's capital city, but around the valley high school students have walked out of classes to demonstrate their displeasure over Tuesday's election results.
Utah's anti-Trump events have been decidedly more peaceful than those playing out in Portland, where one man was shot and crowds erupted into rioting in which bottles and fireworks were thrown at police.
On Saturday, Portland's mayor pleaded with protesters to stay home, saying the crowds had been hijacked by a "criminal element" seeking to start trouble.
In Salt Lake City, some protesters hurled expletives and insults — but no bottles — at a few Trump supporters who turned out.
"It's my right to be here, just like yours," said Martin Luther Turner IV. "I can voice my opinion like anyone else, and yes, I voted for Trump."
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Thousands march to Utah Capitol to protest Trump being elected president
A seemingly historic moment unfolded in dramatic fashion Thursday night as thousands of protestors ascended the steps of the Utah Capitol and chanted obscenities against President-elect Donald Trump.While there were tense words at first, some of the Trump protesters talked with Turner and there was a robust debate about U.S. politics in general.
Turner said he voted for Trump because he came from outside a tainted political system in which "absolute power corrupts."
Brady Wilkinson, who carried a sign that said "Fight the Power," said friends of his in Ogden and in southern Florida had been harassed since Trump's election.
"There are a certain nightmarish subset of folks who have come out because they are emboldened by his (Trump's) rhetoric," he said. "We need to show those people we have the strength now, because if not, they will become predatory."
Wilkinson said he doesn't believe all Republicans or Trump supporters endorse behavior or attitudes that stoke fear, but enough of the country is wary that those are who are vulnerable need to make their voices heard.
"We have to be engaged and we have to be vocal so they hear us."
