“Donald Trump, let’s be clear, immigrants are welcome here.”
Hundreds of voices joined the chant on the steps of the Utah Capitol Monday afternoon, part of a rally organized by the Salt Lake City branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Attendees gathered in below-freezing temperatures to protest President Donald Trump’s second inauguration and the policies the new president has said he will enact.
[Read more: ‘We’re so back.’ Utah Republicans celebrate Donald Trump’s return to power]
“There is an extreme, right-wing, billionaire agenda being inaugurated in Washington, D.C. today,” said Devin Martinez, a member of the party.
“It’s a program that wants to destroy workers’ rights, that wants to deport millions of immigrant families, a program that wants to end basic regulations … for our environment,” he continued, “and ultimately, it’s a program that wants to transfer more and more wealth from the vast majority of people in the planet into the hands of a tiny group of ultra-rich elites.”
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rallygoers listen to speakers during an event organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
A smaller crowd of Trump supporters planted pro-Trump flags along the Capitol’s lawn and waved signs closer to the roundabout in front of the building.
Some members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation rally played music and chants near the pro-Trump group, but the two protests did not interact.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) President Donald Trump supporters wave at passing cars at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
During his inaugural address Monday, Trump said he would curb illegal immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border and promised mass deportations of “criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
“I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions,” he said, “and that is exactly what I am going to do.”
Utahns at Monday’s rally responded with signs that read “the people united will defend immigrant families” and chants of “no ban, no wall, sanctuary for all” as Mexican and Salvadorian dance groups performed.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gladis Rodriguez with Grupo Torogoz performs during a rally organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
“I am tired of seeing immigrant families torn apart, treated as numbers instead of people with stories, hopes and dreams,” said Roberto Lopez, co-director of Fashion Fluid Clothing Boutique, which sells clothes for transgender and nonbinary youth.
Alongside protesting Trump’s incoming immigration policies, rally attendees condemned the president’s approach to social issues, like gender identity and sexual orientation.
“We know Trump will sign an executive order on gender this afternoon,” said Jakey Sala Siolo, director of the Nuanua Collective, a group that supports LGBTQ+ Pacific Islanders. “Are you ready to protect trans and queer people?”
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rallygoers listen to speakers during an event organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Trump said Monday morning that “it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male and female.” He signed an executive order undoing many “diversity, equity, and inclusion” actions put forth during the Biden administration.
Protesters at Monday’s event rallied around community building, organizing and solidarity with oppressed groups.
“Now is not the time to lose hope for a better world,” Siolo said. “Often our organizing efforts might feel unseen, but we are mobilizing."
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) President Donald Trump supporters and a detractor are seen at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
