The Nation - News from Sept. 19, 1988

Four people among a protesting group of about 30 were arrested on charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct outside the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City where former Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III was presented a conservative group’s “Defender of the U.S. Constitution” award. The four were released after being cited, police said. Meese, accepting the award from the National Center for Constitutional Studies, called for a return to the original intent of the Founding Fathers and received standing ovations from the 420 people attending the banquet. Among other criticisms of modern-day interpretations of the Constitution, Meese targeted the relationship between religion and government. Meese resigned as attorney general last August after a 14-month criminal investigation concluded with no indictments.