In anticipation of potential protests at the Utah State Capitol this weekend, Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency.
A press release from the governor’s office stated that “this precaution comes after the siege of the U.S. Capitol that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C., which resulted in five deaths … and significant damage to the historic building.”
Cox stated that “We respect the right of Utah residents to peaceably assemble as guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. But we draw the line at threats to physical safety or to the Utah Capitol building. No violence of any kind will be tolerated.”
An executive order signed by Cox will be in effect beginning Friday and will continue through Thursday and allows the Department of Public Safety to close any part of the Utah State Capitol complex or grounds and authorizes the governor to use “all resources of state government as reasonably necessary to cope with the state of emergency.”
The governor also asked the Utah National Guard, Utah Highway Patrol and various area police departments to stand ready to ensure safety at the Capitol in the coming days.
