Peaceful protest at conservative speech in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY >> Dozens of people at the University of Utah have protested before a speech by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro in a largely peaceful display.
More than 100 protesters carrying signs with slogans like “Hate is not Welcome Here” and “Bigotry Kills” gathered Wednesday night on the campus.
A few dozen counterprotesters gathered nearby led to tension and occasional verbal volleys, but not serious clashes.
Several police officers stood near the protest, and many more watched over the building where Shapiro spoke, located a short walk away.
Administrators traveled to UC Berkeley earlier this month to learn from the university’s preparations for a speech by the ex-Breitbart editor that included a heavy police presence.
The University of Utah barred face masks and planned a significant police presence in preparation for the speech by Shapiro, whose appearance has drawn protests at the Salt Lake City campus following discord in places like California and Wisconsin.
University spokesman Chris Nelson said officials would try to keep both protesters and attendees of the speech safe while avoiding a “police state” atmosphere on campus.
Free tickets for Shapiro’s talk, which was expected to critique identity politics and left-leaning ideas, were quickly snatched up by Utah students who waited in long lines.