Herriman City Hall Scene of Protest by Extremist Group Against ‘Invaders’

On Saturday, February 1, an extremist group held a protest near Herriman City Hall, displaying signs and flags that expressed opposition to what they referred to as “invaders.” Video footage captured by an ABC4 viewer showed protesters carrying a banner alongside various flags, including the Utah state flag, the Betsy Ross flag, and symbols associated with the white supremacist group, Patriot Front.

The group later claimed responsibility for the protest on its website, stating the demonstration was aimed at addressing “cartel violence in Utah” and accusing Herriman of being affected by violence stemming from the southern border. A banner at the scene reportedly read “Deport Invaders” and “Keep America American.”

Herriman City officials were informed about the protest, and a spokesperson shared that, to their knowledge, the demonstration remained peaceful and there were no reports of illegal activity.

Patriot Front, identified by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), emerged in 2017 after splitting from another extremist faction. The group’s logo, which includes a fasces encircled by 13 stars, represents a controversial symbol of fascism tied to America’s “revolutionary tradition,” according to the ADL.

The ADL further describes Patriot Front as a group with a history of promoting antisemitic, anti-LGBTQ+, anti-immigration, and pro-life rhetoric. They were reportedly responsible for distributing a significant portion of white supremacist propaganda in 2023. The group has a strict policy requiring members to actively promote its views or face expulsion.

Saturday’s protest was likely a “flash demonstration,” a tactic the ADL says the group often employs for quick photo ops intended to generate online content. Many observers noted the group appeared to disperse quickly after the event.

Author
Recent Posts

keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply