As tension gripped the streets of Salt Lake City on Saturday during a march against President Donald Trump, a sanctuary of peace emerged amidst chaos. St. Mark's Cathedral, a prominent edifice in the downtown area, became a refuge for protestors fleeing the sound of gunfire that shattered the protests' peaceful tenor. The ABC4 news service reported that the cathedral's open doors served as a symbol of sanctuary, welcoming the distressed demonstrators.
A shooting incident, which occurred after the 'No Kings' march that saw about 10,000 participants, resulted in tragedy. Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old who Police Chief Brian Redd described as an "innocent bystander," succumbed to his injuries following the attack. Arturo Gamboa, 24, has been detained on suspicion of murder, as detailed by The Salt Lake Tribune. The gathering was largely peaceful until the abrupt eruption of violence caused masses to scatter in search of safety.
The generosity of the cathedral staff and the immediate response to provide aid did not go unnoticed. As obtained by ABC4, one church representative spoke of the rapid efforts to usher protestors inside the building. "Without hesitation, we opened the Cathedral’s red doors, doors that are longstanding symbols of sanctuary, and encouraged people to quickly get inside." Within moments, safety was found amidst the pews for those who just moments before had faced uncertain peril.
The gesture of goodwill by St. Mark's Cathedral extended beyond mere shelter; it fostered a sense of unity and support in trying times. Echoing in the heart of the city were calls of "Go to the church! They have opened the church!" as reported by parishioners and KSL. Amid fear, a spokesperson for the cathedral highlighted, "I think angels are all around us. And we get to do that work with one another."
