July 17, 2026 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Advisory: Protests against National Monument reductions to occur across Utah on Monday, July 20
Protests planned in Ogden, Salt Lake City, St. George, Moab, and Provo
Contacts:
Grant Stevens, Communications Director, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA); (319) 427-0260; grant@suwa.org
What: A Monumental Day of Action by Utahns opposing the illegal reductions on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments on Monday, July 20.
When & Where: Five locations throughout Utah:
- Ogden, 5:00-6:00 pm, near Rep. Blake Moore’s office at the SW corner of 25th St and Washington Blvd.
- Salt Lake City, 6:00-7:00 pm at the Governor’s Mansion, 603 E. South Temple St.
- St. George, 6:00-7:00 pm at the offices of Sen. Lee and Rep. Maloy, 111 E. Tabernacle St, Suite 324
- Moab, 6:00-7:00 pm. Meet at the Moab Information Center, 25 E. Center Street
- Provo, 5:00-6:00 pm at the offices of Sen. Curtis and Rep. Kennedy, 3601 N. University Ave, Suite 250
Why: On Monday, July 13, President Trump—flanked by Utah Governor Spencer Cox and the entire federal delegation (Senators Lee and Curtis, Representatives Maloy, Kennedy, Moore, and Owens)—decimated Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments, cutting them by a combined 3 million acres, or over 90%. Protest attendees are encouraged to bring a sign (some will be provided) and be ready to raise their voices against the Utah politicians who supported Monday’s actions.
We encourage the media to attend and speak with protesters. Have questions about the day of action? Please reach out to Grant Stevens, SUWA Communications Director, grant@suwa.org, 319-427-0260. Professional photography will be available following the events.
*SUWA advocates strongly for protecting Utah’s wild lands with strategies that meaningfully engage all cultures and abilities. We do so respectfully and firmly. We act within the law. We do not condone violence or destruction of property.
Background information about the illegal reductions:
- Statements from Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante Inter-Tribal coalitions
- SUWA Statement on Trump’s Illegal Reductions of Grand Staircase-Escalante & Bears Ears National Monuments
- Maps of the reductions
- Reporter Background Memo on National Monuments
- Royalty-free assets for media use, please credit creators
- Photos of places cut from Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument available here (google album) and here (google drive).
- Photos of places cut from Bears Ears National Monument available here (google album) and here (google drive).
- Video b-roll of Bears Ears for media use is available here
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The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) is a nonprofit organization with members and supporters from around the country dedicated to protecting America’s redrock wilderness. From offices in Moab, Salt Lake City, and Washington, DC, our team of professionals defends the redrock, organizes support for America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, and stewards a world-renowned landscape. Learn more at www.suwa.org.
