Black Utah in the News

Salt Lake City creates commission on racial equity in policing

- Salt Lake Tribune

“Salt Lake City leaders are launching an advisory panel to examine the policies, budget and culture of the police department with the aim of achieving racial equity and justice.

Called the “Commission on Racial Equity in Policing,” City Council members have discussed forming the group after receiving thousands of comments this month about defunding the Salt Lake City Police Department. It also followed nightly protests against brutality that began days after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police..”

Utah lawmakers ban knee-on-neck chokeholds

- Salt Lake Tribune

“The Utah Legislature on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a proposal banning police from using knee-on-neck chokeholds, in what the bill’s sponsor called a “down payment” for communities that have long lived in fear.

During a debate on the House floor, Rep. Sandra Hollins said it’s inhumane to kneel on a person’s neck to pin them to the ground, the tactic used by a white Minneapolis police officer in the death of George Floyd. And prohibiting it, she said, serves as a promise that state lawmakers are hearing the voices of protesters who have called for change and justice.”

Peaceful Protests Continue In SLC For 11th Day

- KSL-TV

Salt Lake City - “Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Salt Lake City-County Building calling for police reform and de-escalation training.

“Whose streets? Our streets!” protesters chanted at Wednesday’s 6 a.m. rally organized by Black Lives Matter Utah.

Black community leaders reflect on Saturday's protest in Salt Lake City, talk next steps

-KUTV 2

“ Darlene McDonald was glad to see all the support early Saturday as people gathered to push for change following the death of George Floyd..

“I loved it,” she said. “I loved being there in that moment.”

Hours later, when McDonald —the leader of the Utah Black Roundtable — heard about the violence, she got angry because she knew the conversation would shift.”

Utah’s first female black lawmaker leads out as ‘conscience of the Legislature’

-Salt Lake Tribune

“The unrest and anger we are witnessing in American cities and in Utah are symptoms of a pervasive, systematic racism,” the 50-year-old Hollins said this week at the Black Lives Matter rally. “We must speak out. And we must not just stay behind the ... confines of social media, but we must get into environments where we are able to make a difference.”