Dozens of Sundance festivalgoers lined Main Street on the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 27, calling for broad changes to federal immigration enforcement. The protest was planned in the wake of the recent shootings of civilians by Immigration and Customs Enforcement of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minn.
Protest organizer and Park City local Sierra Quitiquit said she began efforts to organize on Sunday, handing out handmade signs to pedestrians interested in participating.
Protests During Sundance Follow ICE Shootings of Civilians
Jenni Kaye, a protestor who helped organize the event, said, “It’s been really hard to focus on movies with what’s going on.” Kaye continued: “It’s been very strange being here for work and wanting to talk about film. That is my career, and [it’s] very important to me. But you know, justice, injustice and others’ right to exist in a stronger country that’s free is way more important to me.”
Additionally, she said she believes film is a form of activism. This year, films like American Doctor and Birds of War shed light on global conflicts and their impacts on civilians.
Protestor Becca Hurd described attending the festival this year as “disorienting.”
“I want to celebrate filmmakers and the art that’s going on, but at the same time, I’m posting photos of myself at Sundance, while seeing other photos on Instagram with terrible things happening.”
She added that Sundance “is full of artists and filmmakers and people who can enact change.”
Another attendee, Ricky Escobar, said “[being] a Mexican-American at Sundance gave me a sense of pride, but I also felt very isolated. Seeing that the people around me are standing with me and defending my community means something special.” He added, “It shows me that no matter where you are, you can protest, speak out, and be heard.”
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This story is jointly published by Salt Lake magazine and non-profit Amplify Utah to elevate perspectives in local media through student and emerging journalism.
