Press Release: Better Utah calls for external investigation into Cottonwood Heights Police Department response to peaceful protests

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2020

Salt Lake City, UT – Yesterday, the Cottonwood Heights Police Department, along with other local police departments, responded to a peaceful protest that ended in protestors being pepper-sprayed and detained. Cottonwood Heights City Councilwoman, Tali Bruce, was in attendance at the protest and had to seek medical treatment following her interaction with a police officer.

Chase Thomas, executive director for Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement:

“These protests are forcing us to confront the failings in our society and discuss how we can create a better future. To shut down peaceful protesting and dancing in our streets as the work of ‘rioters’ is not only a gross overreaction by Chief Russo and his department, but also an unfortunate way to avoid important conversations this city needs to have about how it reacts to the concerns of marginalized communities.

“After a long history of controversial practices, the Cottonwood Heights Police Department is already long overdue for a serious conversation about reforming the department and its leadership. This unwarranted escalation by CHPD on peaceful protestors deserves an independent, external investigation by the proper authorities to determine how and why this happened in one of our cities.”

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Alliance for a Better Utah is a nonprofit that holds politicians accountable and advocates for progressive policies that make Utah an even better place. The organization improves the lives of all Utahns through advocacy, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.

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