Independent · Local · Community-first
Protesters gather across utah over national monuments
The rallies were organized in response to support from Utah's congressional delegation and Gov. Spencer Cox for reducing Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.
Demonstrators gathered in multiple Utah cities today, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Moab, Bountiful, and St. George, as part of a statewide day of action following recent changes to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.
The demonstrations come one week after President Trump signed proclamations reducing the monuments by more than 90% combined. Bears Ears was reduced from approximately 1.36 million acres to 121,000 acres, while Grand Staircase-Escalante was reduced from approximately 1.87 million acres to 182,000 acres.
Many protesters say the changes put culturally significant sites, wildlife habitat, and public lands at greater risk, while Utah state leaders argue the revised boundaries will improve land management, recreation access, and local control.
