The 10 people charged with starting a riot in the lobby of the Salt Lake Chamber offices during an inland port protest that turned violent this summer made their first appearances in court Tuesday.
Each faces a charge of rioting, a third-degree felony with a possible sentence of up to five years in prison; nine of them also face a charge of criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor.
Ahead of their first appearances in 3rd District Court — where the defendants will be advised of charges, appointed a judge and an attorney, if needed — several of the defendants stood outside with supporters on the steps of the Matheson Courthouse, their breath billowing into the cold November morning and called on the state to drop the charges.