Nearly 1,000 protesters gathered across Utah on Monday, July 20, 2026, to demonstrate against the reduction of federal protections for nearly three million acres of land within the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. The statewide demonstrations, which targeted the governor's mansion and various congressional offices, sought to pressure officials to reverse recent executive orders that slashed the monument sizes by approximately 90 percent.
Widespread Statewide Demonstrations
The protests were organized by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), an organization currently involved in ongoing litigation to protect the monuments. According to prior reporting by Moab Times, demonstrators held rallies in several key locations, including the Governor's Mansion in Salt Lake City, congressional district offices in Ogden, Provo, and St. George, and downtown Moab. Additionally, about 25 people gathered west of Bluff at a Bears Ears National Monument sign to voice support for the land.
Protests Target Local Representatives
In Salt Lake City, the gathering at the Governor's Mansion lasted for more than an hour, with protesters chanting slogans such as "Save Bears Ears" and "This is what democracy looks like." Demonstrators also directed vocal frustration toward U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloy, who represents a significant portion of southern Utah, with crowds chanting, "Maloy, this land is not yours to destroy!"
A History of Monument Status
The decision to downsize the monuments follows a long history of shifting federal designations. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was first designated by President Bill Clinton in 1996, and the Bears Ears National Monument was established by President Barack Obama in 2016. While President Donald Trump reduced the monuments in 2017, President Joe Biden restored the full protections in 2021 before the current administration's recent orders.
Political Support and Public Dissent
During the signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Governor Spencer Cox expressed support for the president's decision, stating, "We’re grateful that the president has made a determination that we need to rightsize these monuments." House Speaker Mike Schultz and Utah's congressional delegation also stood in support of the executive orders. However, the decision has faced significant opposition from various segments of the Utah population, with many protesters expressing frustration that their elected officials are supporting the reduction of public lands.
Indigenous Community Concerns
The impact of the monument reductions is particularly significant for Indigenous communities. Jessica Wiarda, a member of the Hopi-Tewa tribe and an activist, noted that the administration has not considered Indigenous perspectives during this process. Wiarda explained that the shifting status of the land between different administrations is frustrating and highlighted that Bears Ears has historically been home to five separate tribal nations, acting as a unifying factor for these groups.
Moab Community Response
In Moab, approximately 130 people gathered near the Moab Information Center and occupied the intersection of Main and Center streets to protest. SUWA wildlands attorney Judi Brawer, who helped organize the Moab event, stated that the goal was to demonstrate that opposition to the reductions is widespread. "Moab is a community whose identity is intertwined with protected public lands, and its influence extends far beyond city limits," Brawer said.
Heritage and Economic Ties
The economic and cultural significance of the land was a central theme for many participants. Devaki Murch, a resident of Boulder, Utah, whose property borders the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, argued that while the region's economy relies on the landscape, the need for protection extends to the preservation of heritage and sacred Native lands. Similarly, 25-year-old Preston Palmer, protesting in Salt Lake City, expressed concern that the next generation may not have the same opportunity to enjoy the state's wildernesses if they remain under attack.
