SALT LAKE CITY – Before the verdict was announced in the murder trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, local business owners prepared for possible rioting.
READ: Derek Chauvin has been convicted of the murder of George Floyd
The owner of downtown Salt Lake City’s Green Pig Pub hopes things will remain peaceful as protests are expected Tuesday night.
“The public has the right to do so. We are just asking you not to tear your city apart, not to tear your city apart to do this. Be proud, protest peacefully, ”said Bridget Gordon.
Last May, some demonstrators became violent and caused property damage. During that time, Gordon said they closed their doors. Now she is prepared for whatever might come.
“If we have to, we’ll get in our windows and close our windows for that period,” she said.
READ: SLC Black Community Guide “On The Edge” for Chauvin’s Judgment
Protest is a protected constitutional right, said Salt Lake District Attorney Sim Gill.
“We have different views, we can express different views. We get very passionate about the views we hold, ”he said.
While protests are legal, those who commit crimes will be held accountable, Gill said.
“We turn to law enforcement when they tell us the individual cases of someone attacking someone. For example, you will remember that in protest last year there was a bow and arrow who drove his car there, pulled out a bow and arrow, flashed his guns, and pointed it at people. It’s an injury, ”he said.
READ: Utah man convicted for drawing bows and arrows at SLC protesters downtown
The head chef at Stone Ground Kitchen in Salt Lake City said they are watching closely what the next few days may bring.
“We will do what is best for our employees in terms of safety,” said Justin Shifflett.
READ: Governor Cox, Utah NAACP calls for peace after chauvinist announcement
Looking back on last May, Shifflett said he had many conversations with his family over the past year as the protests continued.
“They were mainly concerned about my safety and asked, ‘Do you have to go to work? Do you have to go downtown? Asked Shifflett.
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