Protesters Target Utah Governor’s Home

Dozens of protesters opposed to Utah's new COVID-19 restrictions gathered outside of Governor Gary Herbert's private residence Sunday. KSL's Garna Mejia reports.

(KSL/NBC News) — Dozens of protesters gathered outside Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s home in Orem Sunday, waving American flags and holding signs decrying the state’s mask mandate and rules against social gatherings.

The protest came just days after an ordinance was passed in Orem, prohibiting what they call “targeted residential picketing” within 100 feet of a home.

Troopers and officers were on standby to help keep the peace.

People like Benjamin Berneche said the collateral damage of the COVID-19 restrictions is just too high.

At the rally, he shared the story of his 99-year-old grandmother who died in a resting home, not of COVID-19, but from loneliness.

“They let me come and talk to her through a window, but she couldn’t hear a word I said,” said Berneche. “All she did was beg, beg to be let out. She died of loneliness.”

Brent Sumner is an Orem City Councilman and one of Gov. Herbert’s neighbors.

“Today, they were very respectful of everything,” said Sumner. “They even measured off the 100 feet that was in the ordinance.”

“But to come to the Governor’s house on a Sunday and not give him that little respite, I think it’s just wrong,” said neighbor Lorelie Andrus.

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