On March 30 I attended the Tesla Takedown, an event that took place on the sidewalk in front of the Tesla showroom on State Street in Salt Lake City. We have been holding these peaceful protests for the last six weeks. I expected this weekend was going to be a larger event as it was being organized to take place across our nation.
I arrived at 11:45 a.m. for our noon event and was surprised to see four large pick-up trucks, flying Trump flags. I parked and suggested to my group that we move a block north of the Tesla showroom so we would not have to share the sidewalk with the counter protestors. By this time, I could see that many of them were armed. As our group of protesters grew, my group decided they would stand in front of the large trucks so that we were on the Tesla block. There were about 30 Tesla supporters.
With the two groups mingling, it didn’t take long for heated arguments to break out. I kept trying to de-escalate and separate the groups. At 1:30 p.m. I suggested to our group of about 150 protestors that with the rain heading our way we could call the event. Most folks hung around for another 15 minutes.
The Trumpers wanted us to be Antifa, but we were a far cry from that. One image I carry is a woman in her late 70s who said to me, “I am standing my ground. These (expletive) will not take my country.”
When I reflected on the events it became clear who showed grit that day. Not the guys who came armed with weapons but those who came armed with signs, passion, courage, intelligence and a desire to protect our institutions and the people who serve us. Thanks to everyone who showed up.
Sarah Buck, Salt Lake City
