By Melissa Kimball
The colorful clash of yellow jackets reading ”police” and protestors carrying towering white signs provided a familiar sight on the Main Street Plaza Saturday April 5.
After The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” first session of their General Conference, the plaza remained what one police officer called “mellow.”
“We know these guys. It”s the same people we see here every year,” Officer Martin said.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ filed out of the Conference Center Saturday afternoon, a handful of protestors and preachers were sprinkled around the Conference Center and on the plaza.
Lonnie Pursifull, Utah director of the Street Preachers Fellowship, said it was his eighth year on Main Street during the conference.
“This is about freedom of religion; beliefs more importantly than freedom of speech,” Pursifull said. “My belief tells me I need to come out here and proclaim the gospel according to the Bible.”
Pursifull said they had around 60 preachers out Saturday, who also planned to attend the Bon Jovi concert that night at the Delta Center.
The plaza has gained increased attention this year because this is the first conference the plaza is free of speech restrictions. A 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling last October removed speech and behavior limitations the church had set up on the plaza. The ruling is currently being appealed by the church to the U.S. Supreme Court
Pursifull said this year had remained an ethical event, partly because of the American Civil Liberties Union and cooperation from city leaders.
“This year we came down, fully intended on being arrested,” Pursifull said. “We had a productive meeting with the city attorney and I think that has made a big difference on this whole situation.”
Several preachers met with City Attorney Ed Rutan Wednesday morning expressing concerns for their free speech rights. They said in the past police had inappropriately limited their expression and in certain circumstances had not protected them from attack, Rutan said.
The ACLU also sent nine legal observers out on the plaza to monitor events this weekend. Dani Eyer, executive director of the ACLU”s Utah affiliate, said nothing had been reported Saturday afternoon.
“I”m hoping that to not hear anything would be perfect,” Eyer said.
For Church of Jesus Christ members, the sight of preachers and protestors at conference time remains common and ignored.
“I think it”s a waste of their time,” said Kimberly Hatch, a Utah State University student from Idaho Falls, Idaho, who stood observing the protestors Saturday afternoon. “It”s not like we”re are going to forget what we believe just because they”re here.”
