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{{Short description|American attorney and politician (born 1951)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{for|the American professional wrestler|Rocky Anderson (wrestler)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name                = Rocky Anderson
|image               = Rocky Anderson at MLK cropped.jpg
|caption             = Anderson in 2009
|office              = 33rd [[List of mayors of Salt Lake City|Mayor of Salt Lake City]]
|term_start          = January 3, 2000
|term_end            = January 7, 2008
|predecessor         = [[Deedee Corradini]]
|successor           = [[Ralph Becker (Utah politician)|Ralph Becker]]
|birth_name          = Ross Carl Anderson II
|birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1951|9|9}}
|birth_place         = [[Logan, Utah]], U.S.
|death_date          = 
|death_place         = 
|residence           = [[Salt Lake City]], Utah, U.S.
|party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (before 2012, 2022–present)<br />[[Justice Party (United States) |Justice]] (2012–2022)
|education           = [[University of Utah]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[George Washington University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
}}
'''Ross Carl''' "'''Rocky'''" '''Anderson II''' (born September 9, 1951) is an American attorney, writer, activist, and civil and human rights advocate. He served two terms as the 33rd [[List of mayors of Salt Lake City|Mayor]] of [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], from 2000 to 2008. 

Prior to serving as mayor, Anderson practiced law for 21 years in Salt Lake City, during which he was the 1996 Democratic nominee for Congress in Utah's Second Congressional District.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 23, 1996 |title=Ross Anderson: 2nd Congressional District – Democrat |url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/6/23/19250245/ross-anderson-2nd-congressional-district-domocrat |access-date=October 28, 2022|newspaper=Deseret News}}</ref> Following his terms as mayor, Anderson founded and served as the Executive Director of High Road for Human Rights and returned to his legal practice, frequently bringing legal challenges to government programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Rocky |date=April 2016 |title=High Roads Traveled |url=https://rockyanderson.org/high-road-for-human-rights/about-high-road/high-roads-traveled/ |access-date=April 1, 2016 |website=High Road For Human Rights}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2017 |title=Judge won't dismiss lawsuit over alleged NSA Olympic spying |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/10/lawsuit-nsa-olympic-spying/ |access-date=January 10, 2017 |website=The Denver Post|agency=The Associated Press}}</ref> Anderson also served as the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential nominee]] for his newly created [[Justice Party (United States)|Justice Party]], receiving 43,000 votes out of more than 129 million votes cast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwarz |first=Hunter |date=January 13, 2012 |title=Rocky Anderson accepts his newly-formed party's presidential nomination |url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/1/13/20391486/rocky-anderson-accepts-his-newly-formed-party-s-presidential-nomination |access-date=January 13, 2012 |website=DeseretNews}}</ref> Anderson ran again for mayor of Salt Lake City in the [[2023 Salt Lake City mayoral election|2023 mayoral election]], but he lost to incumbent [[Erin Mendenhall]] 58% to 34%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Apgar|first=Blake|date=November 21, 2023|title=SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall looks to 'regroup for a second term'; Anderson wishes her success|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/11/21/erin-mendenhall-jumps-sizable/|access-date=November 27, 2023|newspaper=[[Salt Lake Tribune]]}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Ross C. "Rocky" Anderson was born in [[Logan, Utah]], one of three children of Roy and Grace Anderson.<ref name="rockyanderson">{{cite news |last1=Bernick |first1=Bob Jr. |title=The race for Mayor: Rocky Anderson Early tragedy fueled his desire to serve and boost quality of lives |url=https://www.deseret.com/1999/10/24/19471993/the-race-for-mayor-rocky-anderson-br-early-tragedy-fueled-his-desire-to-serve-and-boost-quality-of-l/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=October 24, 1999}}</ref> His parents both worked at Anderson Lumber Company, a local lumber yard founded by Rocky's great-grandfather, a Norwegian immigrant carpenter who had converted to [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church).<ref>{{Cite web |title=NNBD of Rocky Anderson |url=https://www.nndb.com/people/307/000129917/ |access-date=October 19, 2013 |website=NNBD}}</ref>

Though Anderson does not currently consider himself to be a Mormon, he was raised as one and was a practicing member of the LDS Church in Logan.<ref name="Rocky Anderson 2009">Rocky Anderson, "A Call for Compassion," Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought (Vol. 42 No. 2 Summer 2009), at v</ref> He has described his disagreement with certain doctrines of the LDS Church, particularly the [[Black people and Mormonism|denial of the priesthood to men of black African descent and the denial to Black men and women of the right to engage in religious ceremonies prior to 1978]]. Anderson has likewise expressed his disagreement with the [[Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS Church's teachings and policies relating to members of the LGBTQ+ community]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=A Call For Compassion |url=https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/dial/article/42/2/v/251745/A-Call-for-Compassion |journal=Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought|year=2009 |doi=10.5406/dialjmormthou.42.2.000v |last1=Anderson |first1=Ross C. "Rocky" |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=v-vii |s2cid=172081762 |doi-access=free |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Anderson also expresses disagreement with what he describes as the LDS teaching of personal moral abdication through obedience to people in positions of authority,<ref>Rocky Anderson, "A Call for Compassion," Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought (Vol. 42 No. 2 Summer 2009), at v-vi</ref> arguing that it violates the principle of personal conscience and individual moral development and accountability.<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,2 "The Other Rocky"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113132610/http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,2 |date=November 13, 2011 }}, ''The Nation''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>

Amidst a wide variety of courses, Anderson studied ethics, political philosophy, and religious philosophy at the [[University of Utah]].<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,2 The Other Rocky] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113132610/http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,2 |date=November 13, 2011 }}, ''[[The Nation]]''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>

During high school, Anderson played lead guitar in a rock and roll band, the Viscounts, and worked at a cabinet and roof truss plant. He also shingled roofs during his high school and college years. After graduating from [[Ogden High School (Ogden, Utah)|Ogden High School]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.restoreogdenhigh.org/pdf/Style=Oliv.pdf|title="Restore Ogden High School" pamphlet|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019130649/http://www.restoreogdenhigh.org/pdf/Style=Oliv.pdf|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Anderson attended the [[University of Utah]], during which time he served as Treasurer for the Beta Epsilon chapter of [[Sigma Chi]] fraternity<ref>[http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMB7F5_Sigma_Chi_University_of_Utah_Salt_Lake_City_Utah  Sigma Chi – University of Utah – Salt Lake City, Utah – Fraternity Houses], Waymarking.com; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> and worked at various jobs, including as a truck driver, a roofer, and a gas station manager. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy, graduating [[latin honors|magna cum laude]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2001/genapr2001.html|title=Rocky Anderson Addresses the Humanists of Utah|publisher=Humanistsofutah.org|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019165953/http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2001/genapr2001.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> After reading existentialist literature and several works on ethics, religious philosophy, and political philosophy, he had a "powerful epiphany. We can't escape responsibility, there's no sitting out moral decisions, and whenever we refuse to stand up against wrongdoing we're actually supporting the status quo."<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,2 "The Other Rocky"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113132610/http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,2 |date=November 13, 2011 }}, ''[[The Nation]]''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>

After graduating from the [[University of Utah]], Anderson worked at several jobs. He built buck fence at a ranch in Wyoming, tended bar in Salt Lake City, drove a cab, waited tables at a restaurant, worked at a methadone clinic, typed freight bills, and worked in construction.<ref>{{Cite news |title=S.L. ATTORNEY TO JOIN 2ND DISTRICT RACE |url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/1/31/19222350/s-l-attorney-to-join-2nd-district-race?_amp=true |access-date=October 27, 2022 |newspaper=Deseret News| date=January 31, 1996 }}</ref>

He started graduate school in philosophy at the University of Utah, then traveled to Europe and lived and worked for a few months in [[Freiburg]], Germany before returning to the United States to attend law school.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120715041945/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/feb/23/news/mn-29477/2 "Rocky's Road to Progress"] ''[[LA Times]]''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> In 1978, Anderson graduated, with honors, from [[George Washington University Law School]], earning his [[Juris Doctor]].<ref>{{cite web|date=November 16, 1962|title=GW Law's Utah Connection|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~magazine/archive/2004_law_summer/docs/feat_utah.html|access-date=October 19, 2013|publisher=Gwu.edu}}</ref>

==Career==
=== Law Practice ===
Upon graduation from law school, Anderson returned to Salt Lake City to practice law. He participated in several jury trials in federal and state courts and handled appeals before the [[Utah Court of Appeals]], the [[Utah Supreme Court]], the [[United States District Court for the District of Utah]] (in an appeal from Bankruptcy Court) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildutah.net/8-9-00/index.htm|title=Andersen v. McCotter, 205 F.3d 1214 (10th Cir. 2000); SLW/Utah, L.C. v. Griffiths, 967 P.2d 534 (Utah Ct. App. 1998); Bauchman for Bauchman v. West High School, 132 F.3d 542 (10th Cir. 1997); Andersen v. McCotter, 100 F.3d 723 (10th Cir. 1996); Bott v. DeLand, 922 P.2d 732 (Utah 1996); Ross v. Schackel, 920 P.2d 1159 (Utah 1996); Salt Lake Child and Family Therapy Clinic, Inc. v. Frederick, 890 P.2d 1017 (Utah 1995); Scott v. Hammock, 870 P.2d 947 (Utah 1994); Bradford v. Moench, 809 F.Supp. 1473 (D. Utah 1992); Webb v. R.O.A. General, Inc., 804 P.2d 547 (Utah Ct. App. 1991); Carter v. Utah Power & Light Co., 800 P.2d 1095 (Utah 1990); Naugle v. Witney, 755 F.Supp. 1504 (D. Utah 1990); Scott v. Hammock, 133 F.R.D. 610 (D. Utah 1990); Webb v. R.O.A. General, Inc., 773 P.2d 845 (Utah Ct. App. 1989); Bradford v. Moench, 670 F. Supp. 920 (D. Utah 1987); State v. Strand, 720 P. 425 (Utah 1986); Goddard v. Hickman, 685 P.2d 530 (Utah 1984); State v. Strand, 674 P.2d 109 (Utah 1983); Frampton v. Wilson, 605 P.2d 771 (Utah 1980); Hughes v. Housley, 599 P.2d 1250 (Utah 1979)|publisher=Wildutah.net|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Anderson had an extremely diverse legal practice and represented plaintiffs in dozens of major cases, involving a wide variety of issues, including securities fraud, violation of church and state separation, civil rights, professional malpractice, abuse of incarcerated people, child sex abuse, and First and Fourth Amendment violations.<ref>Reported cases reflect the diversity of Anderson's legal practice, which included hundreds of cases not reported.  See footnote 38 supra.</ref>

Before he was elected Mayor of Salt Lake City, Anderson practiced law for twenty-one years in Salt Lake City, beginning as an associate with Berman & Giauque and later as a partner in Berman & Anderson; Hansen & Anderson; Anderson & Watkins; and Anderson & Karrenberg. After he returned to the practice of law in 2014, he was of counsel with Winder & Counsel, then was a partner at Lewis Hansen, and then practiced at Law Offices of Rocky Anderson until 2021, when he wound down his law practice and volunteered full-time as Executive Director of the Justice Party (later named Allied Justice)'''.''' He specialized in civil litigation in several areas of law, including antitrust, securities fraud, commercial, product liability, professional malpractice and civil rights. He often represented individuals suing corporations or government entities, including plaintiffs in the following cases:
* ''Bradford v. Moench'': A consumer rights lawsuit in which Anderson successfully asserted a novel securities law theory and achieved, in a precedent-setting decision, broad protections for depositors in inadequately insured "thrift and loan" companies.<ref>Bradford v. Moench, 670 F. Supp. 920 (D. Utah 1987); 809 F. Supp. 1473 (D. Utah 1992)</ref>
* ''Scott v. Hammock'': A lawsuit in which Anderson represented a young woman who had been sexually abused by her adoptive father. During the case, Anderson challenged the right of confidentiality that the L.D.S Church asserted regarding non-penitential communications by the defendant with his Mormon bishop.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131021193523/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/187241/DISCLOSURES-TO-CLERGY-DEBATED.html "Disclosures to Clergy Debated"] ''Deseret News''</ref>
* ''University of Utah Students Against Apartheid v. Peterson'': A case in which plaintiffs successfully asserted their First Amendment rights to symbolic speech after the university administration ordered them to remove shanties used to protest the university's investments in South Africa. (Anderson filed an amicus brief for the ACLU in the case.)<ref>University of Utah Students Against Apartheid v. Peterson, 649 F.Supp. 1200 (D. Utah 1986)</ref>
* ''Armstrong v. McCotter'': A civil rights case involving a young mentally ill man, Michael Valent, who, while incarcerated in prison, died from a pulmonary embolism after being strapped naked in a restraint chair for 16 hours solely because of conduct linked to his [[schizophrenia]].<ref>[http://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking2/DemocracyNow.html "It Happened Here First: Exporting America's Most Notorious Prison Officials to Abu Ghraib"], november.org; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>
* ''Bott v. Deland'': A civil rights case based upon deliberate indifference toward and unnecessarily rigorous treatment of an incarcerated person with a severe medical problem. The case established, for the first time, protections for the rights of incarcerated people under the Utah Constitution far broader than under the United States Constitution. In that case, the Utah Supreme Court agreed that financial damages, not limited by state statute, are available for violations of the protections provided for incarcerated people under the State Constitution.<ref>Bott v. Deland, 922 P.2d 732 (Utah 1996)</ref>
* ''Regan v. Salt Lake County'': A class action challenging invasive searches, including strip searches, of women held on minor violations at the Salt Lake County Jail.<ref>[http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4823579&itype=NGPSID&keyword=&qtype=; http://www.deseretnews.com/article/468912/SL-ATTORNEY-TO-JOIN-2ND-DISTRICT-RACE.html "Strip-search decree is history"], ''Salt Lake City Tribune''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>
* ''Prettyman v. Salt Lake City'': A civil rights case involving the excessive use of force by police, resulting in the breaking of a rod in the plaintiff's back.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131021193531/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/232125/SL-POLICE-ORDERED-TO-TURN-OVER-INTERNAL-REPORTS.html "S.L. Police Ordered to Turn Over Internal Reports"], ''Deseret News''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>
* ''Harding v. Walles'': A civil rights case involving the sexual abuse of a male prison inmate by a prison guard.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095405/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/62072/ACLU-SUES-PRISON-OVER-ALLEGED-SEX-ABUSE.html "ACLU Sues Prison Over Alleged Sex Abuse – Officials Failed to Take Proper Action When Guard Coerced Inmate Suit Claims"], ''Deseret News''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>
* Mitchell v. Roberts: A child sex abuse case, seeking to protect the right, created by the Utah Legislature, to sue a perpetrator even if the prior statute of limitations had already run.<ref>{{Cite news  |last=Knox |first=Annia |date=Jun 12, 2020 |title=Utah Supreme Court strikes down law allowing sex abuse lawsuits in case against federal judge |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/6/12/21289570/utah-supreme-court-sex-abuse-law-federal-judge-richard-roberts-terry-mitchell-joseph-paul-franklin |newspaper=Deseret News}}</ref>
* Cinema Pub v. Petilos: Successfully vindicated the First Amendment rights of a local theater that serves alcohol after the Utah D.A.B.C. sought to sanction the business for showing the movie Deadpool.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rasmeth and Stephenson |first=Luke and Kathy |title=Brewvies wins judgment against Utah in First Amendment case involving 'Deadpool,' sex and alcohol |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2017/09/01/brewvies-wins-judgment-against-utah-in-deadpool-first-amendment-case/#:~:text=Anderson%20said%20the%20ruling%20would,with%20a%20similar%20Idaho%20statute. |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune}}</ref>
* Kendall v. Olsen: Sought justice regarding the warrantless invasion of a private backyard by a police officer who unjustifiably shot and killed the resident's beloved dog.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake City cop shoots dog dead in back yard; Owner wants $1.5 million |url=https://truecrimedaily.com/2015/11/10/salt-lake-city-cop-shoots-dog-dead-in-back-yard-owner-wants-1-5-million/ |website=True Crime Daily}}</ref>

Anderson helped to spearhead the reform of Utah's child custody laws.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6697685|title=Democratic Underground|publisher=Democraticunderground.com|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> He worked to institute a program to help those who do not qualify for assistance through Legal Aid or Legal Services, but who are unable to afford to pay in full for legal representation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095326/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/426369/BAR-LAUDS-DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE.html Bar Lauds Distinguished Service], ''Deseret News''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> Anderson served as Chair of the Litigation Section of the [[Utah State Bar Association]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095218/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/468912/SL-ATTORNEY-TO-JOIN-2ND-DISTRICT-RACE.html "S.L. Attorney to Join 2nd District Race"] ''Deseret News''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> (when the Litigation Section was recognized by the Utah Bar Association as the Section of the Year<ref>[http://www.utahbar.org/members/awards_recipients.html#Committee Utah State Bar Awards Recipients]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323043925/http://www.utahbar.org/members/awards_recipients.html |date=March 23, 2010 }}</ref>), and as president of [[Anderson and Karrenberg]], a [[Salt Lake City]] law firm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pview.findlaw.com/view/2207485_1|title=FindLaw, Anderson & Karrenberg, A Professional Corporation|publisher=Pview.findlaw.com|date=February 22, 1999|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019143920/http://pview.findlaw.com/view/2207485_1}}</ref>

=== Volunteer work with non-profit organizations and activism. ===
When he was practicing law, Anderson was affiliated with several non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting civil rights, providing educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged children,  protecting reproductive freedom, improving the penal and criminal justice systems, and strengthening legislative ethics. He served as president of the boards of the ACLU of Utah,<ref>[http://www.acluutah.org/BOR08.htm ACLU of Utah 50th Anniversary Celebration] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415074238/http://www.acluutah.org/BOR08.htm|date=April 15, 2012}}</ref> Guadalupe Schools,<ref name="archive.sltrib.com">[http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4110342&itype=NGPSID&keyword=&qtype= Rocky Anderson's Speech], ''Salt Lake Tribune''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> and Citizens for Penal Reform, which he founded.<ref name="archive.sltrib.com" /> He served as a board member of several other community-based non-profit organizations, including Planned Parenthood Association of Utah<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky "The Other Rocky"] ''[[The Nation]]''; accessed</ref> (for whom he also performed pro bono legal services, including a successful lawsuit to obtain an occupancy certificate for a new clinic, which had been denied because of community opposition to a family planning clinic) and Utah Common Cause.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff|url=http://archive.sltrib.com|title=Rocky Anderson's Speech|date=July 28, 2006|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> On behalf of Common Cause, Anderson lobbied for stronger legislation pertaining to ethical conduct by elected officials, as well as for campaign finance reform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kall |first=Rob |title=Interview with Rocky Anderson |url=https://www.opednews.com/Podcast/Rocky-Anderson-Justice-Pa-by-Rob-Kall-120104-455.html |website=OpEdNews.com|date=January 4, 2012 }}</ref>

While he was practicing law, Anderson opposed the Reagan Administration's efforts to overthrow the government in Nicaragua and some of the Administration's other policies relating to Latin America. He spoke publicly and debated regarding the U.S.'s illegal intervention in Nicaragua and organized two trips to [[Nicaragua]] for dozens of Utahns so they could see, and report back to the public, what was actually happening in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kall |first=Rob |title=Interview with Rocky Anderson |url=https://www.opednews.com/Podcast/Rocky-Anderson-Justice-Pa-by-Rob-Kall-120104-455.html |website=OpEdNews|date=January 4, 2012 }}</ref> He also twice debated the commander-in-chief of the Contras, Adolfo Calero.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131021193607/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/487905/ANDERSONS-PROUD-TO-BACK-DEMO-CAUSES.html "Anderson Proud to Back Demo Causes"], ''Deseret News''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>

Moved by the suffering of the friends and family members of several women who had been murdered in the Salt Lake City area, but whose killings Salt Lake City police detectives had failed to solve, Anderson worked ''pro bono'' for many months, reviewing documents and locating and interviewing witnesses. His work, together with the efforts of others, led to the eventual grand jury indictment and conviction of a man for one of the murders.<ref>Tom Smart and Lee Benson, In plain sight: the startling truth behind the Elizabeth Smart investigation (Chicago Review Press: Chicago 2005), pp. 190-91.</ref>

Rocky served as Chair of the Board of Salt Lake Academy of Music (SLAM)<ref>{{Cite web |title=SLAM |url=https://www.slamslc.org/ |website=Salt Lake Academy of Music}}</ref> and now serves on the Board of the Haitian Orchestra Institute (HOI).<ref>{{Cite web |title=HOI |url=https://haitiorch.org/about-us |website=HOI}}</ref>

===1996 congressional campaign===
After winning a contentious primary election against Kelly Atkinson by a margin of 11%,<ref>[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/pre-election/profilesdistricts/UT02.html?SITE=WPVITVELN&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Election Results from the Associated Press] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021173843/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/pre-election/profilesdistricts/UT02.html?SITE=WPVITVELN&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|date=October 21, 2015}}</ref> Anderson ran for Congress as the Democratic nominee in [[Utah's 2nd congressional district]] in 1996 against Republican [[Merrill Cook]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bernick|first=Bob|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/519911/COOK-ANDERSON-BELIEVE-FERVENTLY-IN-THEMSELVES.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095304/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/519911/COOK-ANDERSON-BELIEVE-FERVENTLY-IN-THEMSELVES.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Cook, Anderson Believe Fervently In Themselves|newspaper=Deseret News |date=October 18, 1996|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Without any financial help from the Democratic Party (some local Democratic leaders viewed Anderson as being too liberal because of his work with the ACLU, his advocacy for reproductive rights, his support for same-sex marriage, his opposition to U.S. policy toward Nicaragua in the 1980s, and his opposition to the death penalty<ref>Rocky Anderson, "'But They Didn't Win': Politics and Integrity," Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought (Vol. 31 No. 1, Spring 1998), pp. 98-99.</ref>), he garnered over 100,000 votes in the district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/1998/ut02.htm|title=Rep. Merrill Cook profile|work=Nationaljournal.com|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107063636/http://www.nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/1998/ut02.htm|archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> Anderson lost the 1996 race to [[Merrill Cook]], achieving 37 percent of the ballots cast versus Cook's 60 percent.

===Mayor of Salt Lake City===
Anderson ran for Mayor of Salt Lake City in 1999, defeating 10 other candidates in the primary campaign, before winning 60% of the vote in the general election against opponent Stuart Reid.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://web.ksl.com/dump/news/cc/elect99/electwin.htm|title=Rocky Anderson Wins SLC Mayor's Race|work=KSL |date=June 26, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425080320/http://web.ksl.com/dump/news/cc/elect99/electwin.htm|archive-date=April 25, 2012}}</ref> He won re-election by an 8% margin against [[Frank R. Pignanelli]] in [[2003 Salt Lake City mayoral election|2003]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php/topic/1120-elections-rocky-rolls|title=Rocky Rolls|work=UrbanPlanet |publisher=Urban Planet|date=October 11, 2013|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Rocky Anderson mayoral campaign, 2003.jpg|thumb|Rocky II campaign sticker.]]

Anderson's two terms in office were extremely eventful, with Anderson playing a leading role in hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,70000908,00.html ''Deseret News'', "Rocky makes the scheduled rounds — and then some"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011080259/http://www.deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,70000908,00.html|date=October 11, 2008}}</ref> He organized and co-hosted dozens of mayors for three consecutive years at the Sundance Summit.<ref>[http://www.iclei.org/index.php?id=7112&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=2253&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7109&cHash=65853f8457 ''ICLEI'' "Sundance Summit a success"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725215218/http://www.iclei.org/index.php?id=7112&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=2253&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7109&cHash=65853f8457|date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> He also founded the Salt Lake City International Jazz Festival, as well as providing national and international leadership regarding climate protection. He conducted a successful national campaign to require that airports across the country screen all checked luggage,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/870914/Rocky-calls-for-tighter-airline-rules.html?pg=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095331/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/870914/Rocky-calls-for-tighter-airline-rules.html?pg=2|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Rocky calls for tighter airline rules|newspaper=Deseret News |date=October 25, 2001|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> expanded the area's light rail system,<ref>[http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=4569 ''The Globalist'', The Greening of Salt Lake City] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402063755/http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=4569|date=April 2, 2012}}</ref> significantly expanded protected open space,<ref>[http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/805073/text_of_rocky_andersons_state_of_the_city_address/index.html Text of Rocky Anderson's State of the City Address, January 17 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224021406/http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/805073/text_of_rocky_andersons_state_of_the_city_address/index.html|date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> implemented an innovative and highly successful [[restorative justice]] program<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorsinnovation.org/pdf/Article13_HC.pdf|title=Restoring hope -- Justice programs address offenders' problems|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021184405/http://www.mayorsinnovation.org/pdf/Article13_HC.pdf}}</ref> and created a city wide after-school and summer youth program, YouthCity.<ref>{{cite news |author=Tammy Walquist |date=June 9, 2006 |title=Renovating Ottinger Hall |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/635212177/Renovating-Ottinger-Hall.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095229/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/635212177/Renovating-Ottinger-Hall.html |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |access-date=October 19, 2013 |newspaper=Deseret News}}</ref>

Many of Anderson's achievements were described in his State of the City addresses<ref>[http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/805073/text_of_rocky_andersons_state_of_the_city_address/index.html For instance, Anderson's 2007 State of the City address is found at] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224021406/http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/805073/text_of_rocky_andersons_state_of_the_city_address/index.html|date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> and listed by the news media shortly before he left office.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jared Page|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695241400/The-Rocky-years--Anderson-ends-8-eventful-contentious-years-as-Salt-Lakes-mayor.html?pg=5|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728131523/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695241400/The-Rocky-years--Anderson-ends-8-eventful-contentious-years-as-Salt-Lakes-mayor.html?pg=5|archive-date=July 28, 2012|title=Anderson ends 8 eventful contentious years as Salt Lake's Mayor|newspaper=Deseret News |date=January 6, 2008|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

State Senator [[Chris Buttars]] of West Jordan publicly denounced former Mayor Rocky Anderson for having "attracted the entire gay community to come and live in Salt Lake County" after a Dan Jones poll indicated strong support for allowing domestic partnerships. In the 2004 election, 63% of the city population voted against banning [[same-sex marriage]], in agreement with Mayor Anderson.<ref>"The Thumb", ''The Salt Lake Tribune'', October 23, 2005.</ref>

Anderson chose not to run for a third term so he could push for reforms of U.S. human rights policies and practices through grassroots organizing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Utah: A Hornet's Nest That Gays & Lesbians Call 'Home' |url=https://www.queerty.com/utah-a-hornets-nest-that-gays-lesbians-call-home-20090128 |work=Queerty |date=January 28, 2009 | author=Grant, Japhy}}</ref>

====Environmental and climate protection programs====
[[File:Rocky Anderson Global Warming.jpg|thumb|right|Anderson addressing a [[350.org]] gathering on [[global warming]] awareness.]]
Considered perhaps the "greenest" mayor in the United States,<ref>[http://www.alternet.org/story/70332/is_rocky_anderson_the_country%27s_greenest_mayor "Is Rocky Anderson the country's greenest mayor?"] ''[[Alternet]]''</ref> Anderson gained international renown for his Salt Lake City Green Program<ref>[http://www.slcgov.com/slcgreen Salt Lake City Green Program - official site]; accessed September 28, 2006.</ref> – a comprehensive effort to improve sustainability and reduce the City's environmental footprint – which achieved a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations in just 3 years. Elements of the program, which Anderson described as covering "everything from dog waste to nuclear wastes", included initiatives to improve the efficiency of the City's fleet and use of electricity, measures to make Salt Lake City more bicycle-and pedestrian-friendly, and co-generation plants at the City's landfill and wastewater treatment facilities that recapture methane to generate electricity.<ref name="grist.org">{{cite web|author=gristadmin|url=http://grist.org/article/anderson1|title=An interview with Salt Lake City mayor and green innovator Rocky Anderson|publisher=Grist.org|date=February 7, 2007|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

As part of the Salt Lake City Green program, Anderson committed Salt Lake City to the Kyoto Protocol goals in 2002.<ref>[http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=4569 ''The Globalist'', The Greening of Salt Lake City"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050528212849/http://www.theglobalist.com/storyid.aspx?StoryId=4569|date=May 28, 2005}}</ref> He mandated that all city buildings use energy-efficient light bulbs and replaced SUVs in the city fleet with high-efficiency, alternative-fuel vehicles.<ref name="alternet.org">[http://www.alternet.org/story/70332/is_rocky_anderson_the_country%27s_greenest_mayor "Is Rocky Anderson The Country's Greenest Major?"], ''[[Alternet]]''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> Anderson almost doubled the city's recycling capacity in one year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is Rocky Anderson the Country's Greenest Mayor? |url=https://www.alternet.org/2007/12/is_rocky_anderson_the_countrys_greenest_mayor/ |website=AlterNet}}</ref> The City surpassed its Kyoto goals in 2006, seven years ahead of schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An interview with Salt Lake City mayor and green innovator Rocky Anderson |url=https://grist.org/article/anderson1/ |website=Grist|date=February 7, 2007 }}</ref>

In 2003, Anderson received the Climate Protection Award from the United States [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]],<ref>[https://archive.today/20120729221447/http://www.epa.gov/cpd/awards/complistofwinners.html "EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT: 1998–2009 CLIMATE PROTECTION AWARD WINNERS"], [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> and the Sierra Club acknowledged his environmental work with its Distinguished Service Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SIERRA CLUB AWARD WINNERS |url=https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/Award%20winners%20by%20award-updates%20for%202020.pdf |access-date=Oct 24, 2022}}</ref> In November 2005, the Salt Lake City Green program led to Salt Lake City receiving the World Leadership Award for environmental programs, presented by the World Leadership Forum in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enn.com/press_releases/1000|title=Salt Lake City Has Won the World Leadership Award in London|publisher=Enn.com|date=December 11, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019100058/http://www.enn.com/press_releases/1000|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Anderson exemplified "green living" through personal example, including [[xeriscaping]] his entire yard,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sheppard|first=Kate|url=http://grist.org/article/hey-rocky|title=Hey Rocky|publisher=Grist.org|date=February 7, 2007|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> installing solar panels at his home, recycling all recyclable materials, and using cold-water detergent, fluorescent bulbs, thermostat timers and a natural gas-powered car.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/843433/Rocky-runs-on-natural-gas.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095232/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/843433/Rocky-runs-on-natural-gas.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Rocky runs on natural gas|newspaper=Deseret News |date=May 18, 2001|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

While serving as mayor, Anderson informed and inspired other municipal officials about the importance of educating constituents about climate change and of taking measures to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theclimategroup.org/our-news/interviews/2005/5/10/rocky-anderson|title=Interview with Rocky Anderson|publisher=The Climate Group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229183933/http://theclimategroup.org/our-news/interviews/2005/5/10/rocky-anderson|date=May 10, 2005|archive-date=February 29, 2012|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

Anderson later researched, produced, and narrated a multi-media piece (still available on YouTube) regarding the need for tenacious, effective leadership to protect against further disastrous climate chaos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shelton |first=Blake |title=Rocky Anderson - Climate Crisis Leadership |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MKcHOqJp6Y |website=Youtube|date=May 4, 2011 }}</ref>

For three consecutive years, he organized and co-hosted, with Robert Redford and ICLEI, ''The Sundance Summit: A Mayors Gathering on Climate Protection'', attended by dozens of mayors from throughout the United States. At the Sundance Summit, mayors learned the science of climate change, how to communicate regarding the causes, consequences, and solutions to climate change, and best practices in cities implementing ground-breaking climate protection practices.<ref>{{cite web|last=Little|first=Amanda|url=http://grist.org/article/little-sundance|title=Sundance getaway converts mayors into climate activists|publisher=Grist.org|date=July 15, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Anderson also spoke on the subject of the climate crisis at side meetings at United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings in New Delhi, Buenos Aires, and Bali, and at conferences in Sweden, Australia, and across the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3148754&itype=NGPSID&keyword=&qtype=|title=Rocky at Australia climate panel|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Anderson also spoke in Beijing to a gathering of Chinese mayors and vice-mayors about how they can help their communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Anderson was also the only representative from the United States to consult in London with representatives from G8 nations on climate change, in preparation for the 2005 G8 Summit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Honors & Rewards |url=https://pubs.awma.org/gsearch/em/2007/6/2007honors%26awards.pdf |access-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101011034/https://pubs.awma.org/gsearch/em/2007/6/2007honors%26awards.pdf }}</ref> He also spoke on climate protection issues at the 2006 annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative and the 2007 annual meeting of the national Environmental Law Societies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 Honors & Rewards |url=https://pubs.awma.org/gsearch/em/2007/6/2007honors%26awards.pdf |access-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101011034/https://pubs.awma.org/gsearch/em/2007/6/2007honors%26awards.pdf }}</ref>

During Anderson's tenure as mayor, he created the "e2 Business" program, recruiting local businesses to implement major sustainability practices,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.matr.net/article-10476.html|title=The e2 (environmentally and economically sustainable) program in Salt Lake City gains strength and members- Squatters sets an earth-friendly example|publisher=Matr.net|date=April 4, 2004|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> and led a national campaign against the environmentally and economically destructive use of plastic water bottles, which he has called "the greatest marketing scam of all time".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/Mayor-Rocky-Andersons-plastic-water-bottle-ban/b9avD6miGE6aR4TYJypjTA.cspx|title=Mayor Rocky Anderson's plastic water bottle ban affects fire fighters|last=Larsen|first=Angie|work=[[KTVX|ABC 4 Utah]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423030627/http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story/Mayor-Rocky-Andersons-plastic-water-bottle-ban/b9avD6miGE6aR4TYJypjTA.cspx|date=July 6, 2007|archive-date=April 23, 2012|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> While serving as Executive Director of High Road for Human Rights, Anderson co-authored a major article on the human rights implications of the climate crisis and why climate chaos should be treated as human rights violation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Achieving Climate Protection: Fostering an Essential Focus on Human Rights and Human Impacts |url=https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&context=ndjlepp }}</ref>

====Tobacco====
Anderson is an ardent opponent of the [[tobacco]] industry, and has supported legislative measures to discourage smoking and tax [[tobacco]] products.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/945280/Rocky-targets-public-smoking.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095301/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/945280/Rocky-targets-public-smoking.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Rocky targets public smoking|newspaper=Deseret News |date=October 27, 2002|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

====Ethnic minority issues and communities====
In December 2001, state and federal officials organized a raid at the Salt Lake City Airport to enforce immigration laws against undocumented employees, who were arrested, imprisoned, and fired.<ref>[http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd1002c.asp ''The Future of Freedom Foundation'', "The Feds' Post–9/11 Airport-Worker Purge"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114134024/http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd1002c.asp |date=November 14, 2012}}</ref> In response, Anderson created the Family to Family program, which made it possible for Salt Lake City families to provide direct emotional and financial assistance to the airport workers and their families, while gaining a better understanding of the plight of immigrants.<ref name="deseret.com">{{Cite web |title=Rocky receives award from League of Latin American Citizens |url=https://www.deseret.com/article/635188970/Rocky-receives-award-from-League-of-Latin-American-Citizens.html }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Additionally, the Mayor spearheaded a successful challenge to English-only legislation in Utah in 2000,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/822491/Anderson-testifies-about-limitations-of-English-only-law.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095320/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/822491/Anderson-testifies-about-limitations-of-English-only-law.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Anderson testifies about limitations of English-only law|newspaper=Deseret News |date=January 30, 2001|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> and later spoke at large demonstrations for comprehensive [[immigration reform]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2006/4/11/salt_lake_city_mayor_rocky_anderson|title=Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson Reacts to Unprecedented Immigrant Rights March|publisher=[[Democracy Now]]|date=April 11, 2006|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

Anderson received the League of United Latin American Citizens's first-ever "Profile in Courage" award,<ref name="deseret.com"/> as well as the National Association of Hispanic Publications' Presidential Award.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/635196825/Hispanic-group-gives-Anderson-an-award.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095333/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/635196825/Hispanic-group-gives-Anderson-an-award.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Hispanic group gives Anderson an award|newspaper=Deseret News |date=April 4, 2006|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Anderson signed an executive order in 2000 implementing a full-fledged [[affirmative action]] program in City hiring.<ref name="redorbit.com">[http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/805073/text_of_rocky_andersons_state_of_the_city_address/index.html ''Red Orbit'', "Text of Rocky Anderson's State of the City Address, January 17, 2007"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224021406/http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/805073/text_of_rocky_andersons_state_of_the_city_address/index.html|date=February 24, 2011}}</ref> This program led to historic levels of ethnic minority hiring and retention in City government. The percentage of the City government's workforce that was drawn from the ethnic minority community increased more than 30% in seven years, and the number of senior City administrators from the ethnic minority community by 2007 increased by over 85% since 2000. Thirty-two percent of Anderson's appointments to City boards and commissions, and one-third of the staff in the Mayor's Office, were individuals from ethnic minorities.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 6, 2008 |title=Rocky Anderson by the numbers |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695241413/Rocky-Anderson-by-the-numbers.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095314/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695241413/Rocky-Anderson-by-the-numbers.html |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |access-date=October 19, 2013 |newspaper=Deseret News}}</ref>

Along with [[Jon Huntsman Sr.]], Anderson co-convened the Alliance for Unity, a non-partisan group of religious and community leaders working to build bridges between diverse people throughout Utah.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/864391/A-hopeful-Alliance-for-Unity.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095309/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/864391/A-hopeful-Alliance-for-Unity.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=A hopeful alliance for unity|newspaper=Deseret News |date=September 18, 2001|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

====2002 Winter Olympics====
After working with [[Mitt Romney]] and leading Salt Lake City through the [[2002 Winter Olympics]], Anderson handed off the Olympic flag at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Reference_documents_Factsheets/Closing_Ceremony_of_the_Games.pdf|title=Olympics closing ceremony factsheet|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> One of Anderson's key achievements was working effectively with the Utah State Legislature and Mitt Romney in making certain that public safety needs would be adequately financed. Romney later said, "I think a lot of people would look at (the Olympic funding deal) and say it was a minor miracle. [Rocky] was instrumental, key, in reaching a solution."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/812408/Rocky-tackles-SL-issues-with-passion-and-fervor.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095311/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/812408/Rocky-tackles-SL-issues-with-passion-and-fervor.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Rocky tackles S.L. issues with passion and fervor|newspaper=Deseret News |date=April 9, 2000|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Anderson endorsed Romney's subsequent 2002 gubernatorial bid in [[Massachusetts]].<ref>{{YouTube|Suc3nlHT51Y|"Romney for Governor of Massachusetts TV Ad – 'Rocky'"}}</ref> Romney later endorsed Anderson's 2003 mayoral re-election campaign.<ref>{{YouTube|TuFe9_BCvXY|"Mitt Romney endorses Rocky Anderson – 2003"}}</ref> Anderson has criticized Romney's changes in position on certain issues after he decided to run for president of the U.S.<ref>[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/19/why-salt-lake-s-mayor-lost-faith-in-mitt.html "Why Salt Lake's Mayor Lost Faith in Mitt"], thedailybeast.com; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> "The Mitt Romney who ran for and served as governor of Massachusetts was a very different Mitt Romney than has been running for President of the United States ... the real Mitt Romney — the Mitt Romney we all knew and [who] served as governor of Massachusetts — was very reasonable, very moderate — he felt that Roe versus Wade should be the end of the debate on choice; supporter of stem cell research — he was not the right-winger that he seemed to be when he decided he would run for President of the United States."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2011/6/13/former_slc_mayor_rocky_anderson_the_former_mitt_romney_was_reasonable_very_moderate|title=Former Salt Lake City Rocky Anderson on GOP Presidential Candidates Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman|publisher=[[Democracy Now]]|date=June 13, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

====Crime and criminal justice====
Anderson was a member of the [[Mayors Against Illegal Guns]] Coalition,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml|title=coalition members|publisher=Mayors against illegal guns|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020183627/http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml|archive-date=October 20, 2013}}</ref> a bi-partisan group with the stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets".

Anderson restructured Salt Lake City's criminal justice system and, after reviewing the peer-reviewed literature indicating that [[Drug Abuse Resistance Education|DARE]] is ineffective in reducing drug use, discontinued the DARE program in Salt Lake City schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00.n880.a08.html|title=US UT: Anderson Calls DARE A Fraud|publisher=Mapinc.org|date=June 22, 2000|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Instead, he supported the implementation of other programs — ATLAS and ATHENA — that have demonstrated significant success.<ref>"Mayor Rocky Anderson Talks About What It's Like to ... Drop the D.A.R.E. Program," Interview with Alexandra Eyle, The Reconsider Quarterly, volume 1 Number 4, Winter 2001–02, pp. 12-13.<!--ISSN/ISBN needed--></ref>

He called for an end to the failed "war on drugs" and for better drug prevention education, the implementation of harm reduction policies, and the availability of substance abuse treatment on demand. He successfully lobbied President Clinton to grant a commutation of a lengthy prison sentence imposed on a Salt Lake City man who had already served several years in a federal penitentiary for his first and only conviction for violating drug laws.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/820498/Rocky-given-credit-for-inmates-release.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095224/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/820498/Rocky-given-credit-for-inmates-release.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Rocky given credit for inmates release|newspaper=Deseret News |date=January 22, 2001|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Anderson also worked for years, with several other people, to finally obtain the release from a federal penitentiary of Weldon Angelos, who was sentenced under a federal minimum mandatory statute to 55 years in prison for selling three small amounts of marijuana while he had––but did not use or threaten anyone with––a gun.<ref>{{Citation |title=55 Years in Prison for a Non-Violent Drug Offense? (Rocky Anderson) | date=November 19, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKQ_gqe4uDM |language=en |access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref>

In 2000, Anderson ordered the Salt Lake City Police Department to end its participation in the DARE program. He told DARE officials: "I think your organization has been an absolute fraud on the people of this country ... For you to continue taking precious drug-prevention dollars when we have such a serious and, in some instances, growing addiction problem is unconscionable."<ref>{{cite news|title=Truth or D.A.R.E.?|newspaper=Tucson Weekly|date=February 26, 2004|url=http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/truth-or-dare/Content?oid=1075363|access-date=December 12, 2005}}</ref>

In 2006, Anderson appointed Chris Burbank as Salt Lake City Police Chief, emphasizing Burbank's progressive approach to law enforcement and commitment to community policing.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Nate Carlisle |title=Burbank's time as police chief: drug sweeps, shootings and diplomacy with protesters |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=2615681&itype=CMSID#gallery-carousel-446996 |access-date=2025-01-13 |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2006-04-01 |title=New Salt Lake police chief is sworn in |url=https://www.deseret.com/2006/4/1/19946189/new-salt-lake-police-chief-is-sworn-in/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |newspaper=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> Under Burbank's leadership, the department continued to align with Anderson's focus on restorative justice and innovative reforms, including diverting offenders into treatment and counseling programs rather than imposing custodial sentences. Anderson praised Burbank's efforts to foster trust within the community and address systemic issues in policing, which complemented the city's broader criminal justice reforms.<ref name=":0" />

Instead of pushing for more minor offenders to be sent to jail or prison, Anderson constructed innovative restorative justice programs, which earned Salt Lake City a nomination for a second World Leadership Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/mayors/salt_lake_city_mayor.html|title=Interview with Rocky Anderson|publisher=Citymayors.com|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> He implemented reforms to ensure that mental health courts would channel mentally ill criminals into mandatory treatment programs rather than putting them behind bars. People arrested on drug charges, or for prostitution or the solicitation of prostitutes (as well as several other types of offenses), were sent through a comprehensive course of counselling rather than automatically being handed criminal convictions and custodial sentences. The results were better, and the costs far lower, than with the traditional retributive approach.<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225090232/http://www.thenation.com/article/other-rocky?page=0,1|date=December 25, 2011}}''[[The Nation]]'' "The Other Rocky", thenation.com; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>

====Economy====
Anderson promulgated an administrative rule which stipulated that when it considered bids, the city should give preference to companies that paid a living wage to their employees. One Republican legislator called it the "Rocky loophole", and was intent on closing it. The Utah Legislature then passed a statute prohibiting cities from giving such preference.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lisa Riley Roche|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600112975/Senate-OKs-bill-to-curb-Rockys-living-wage-effort.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095317/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600112975/Senate-OKs-bill-to-curb-Rockys-living-wage-effort.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Senate OKs bill to curb Rocky's 'living wage' effort|newspaper=Deseret News |date=February 18, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Establishing a reputation as a fiscal conservative, during the 1999–2007 period Anderson increased the balance of Salt Lake City's general reserve fund by more than 62%, from $20.3 million to $32.6 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ogdenstudios.com/content/view/45/68|title=Mayor Rocky Anderson - Portrait|publisher=Ogdenstudios.com|date=November 3, 2007|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019083418/http://ogdenstudios.com/content/view/45/68/|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

====Opposition to the 2003 war in Iraq and human rights abuses====
Described by Amy Goodman as "one of the most outspoken critics of the Bush administration and the Iraq war,"<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/2007/6/25/salt_lake_city_mayor_rocky_anderson Article] at ''[[Democracy Now]]'', "Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson Slams His Friend Mitt Romney for 'Flip-Flopping' on Abortion, Stem Cell Research, Torture in Attempt to Win GOP Presidential Nomination", democracynow.org; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> Anderson was a leading opponent of the invasion and occupation of Iraq by the U.S., both before and after the invasion, and was the only mayor of a major city to advocate the impeachment of President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/22/us/22rocky.html "In Utah, an Opponent of the 'Culture of Obedience'"], nytimes.com, March 22, 2007.</ref>

He often spoke out against the invasion and occupation of Iraq, and in favor of impeachment,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1008260|title='Poll: Residents split over appropriateness of Rocky's anti-war speeches|work=KSL |date=March 19, 2007|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> including at several large rallies and state and federal legislative hearings, in Salt Lake City;<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/issue/january-1-2007 "The Other Rocky"], ''[[The Nation]]''; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> Olympia, Washington;<ref>{{cite news |author=Doug Smeath|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660199482/Rocky-is-calling-for-uprooting-of-Bush.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114083513/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660199482/Rocky-is-calling-for-uprooting-of-Bush.html|archive-date=November 14, 2010|title=Rocky is calling for uprooting of Bush|newspaper=Deseret News |date=March 1, 2007|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> New York;<ref>{{cite news |last=Jensen|first=Derek P.|url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6230292|title=Rocky rips Romney for stem-cell, abortion, war and torture flip-flops|newspaper=Salt lake Tribune |date=June 26, 2007|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019094245/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6230292|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> and Washington, D.C.;<ref>{{cite news |author=Suzanne Struglinski|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660215228/Salt-Lake-mayor-flays-Bush-Cheney-in-DC-rally.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019095255/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660215228/Salt-Lake-mayor-flays-Bush-Cheney-in-DC-rally.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013|title=Salt Lake mayor flays Bush, Cheney in D.C. rally|newspaper=Deseret News |date=April 26, 2007|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> and on national television and radio programs hosted by Amy Goodman,<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/2007/6/25/salt_lake_city_mayor_rocky_anderson "Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson Slams His Friend Mitt Romney for "Flip-Flopping" on Abortion, Stem Cell Research, Torture in Attempt to Win GOP Presidential Nomination"], ''[[Democracy Now]]'', June 25, 2007.</ref> Bill O'Reilly,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_An-kY8okc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/_An-kY8okc0 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Rocky Anderson Bill O'Reilly|publisher=Youtube.com|date=January 26, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and Tom Ashbrook.<ref>[http://www.wbur.org/media-player?url=http://onpoint.wbur.org/2007/03/26/mayor-rocky-anderson&title=Mayor+Rocky+Anderson&pubdate=2007-03-26&segment=1&source=onpoint "On Point"], wbur.org; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> He engaged in a live debate with [[Sean Hannity]] that focused on Iraq and impeachment.<ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6153683903005498978 "Rocky Anderson Obliterates Sean Hannity at University of Utah Impeachment Debate"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607041932/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6153683903005498978|date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Rocky meets Andy.jpg|thumb|right|Rocky Anderson meets Andy Figorski, an Iraq war veteran and anti-war activist.]]

====Call for the impeachment of President George W. Bush====
{{see also|efforts to impeach George W. Bush}}

Interviewed by [[Wolf Blitzer]] on [[CNN]] after an anti-war rally marking the fourth anniversary of the invasion and initial occupation of Iraq, Anderson advocated the impeachment of President [[George W. Bush]], commenting:
:This president, by engaging in such incredible abuses of power, breaches of trust with both the Congress and the American people, and misleading us into this tragic and unbelievable war, the violation of treaties, other international law, our constitution, our own domestic laws, and then his role in heinous human rights abuses; I think all of that together calls for impeachment.<ref name="rawstory.com">{{cite web|title=Salt Lake City Mayor calls for Bush impeachment|url=http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Video_Salt_Lake_City_Mayor_calls_0319.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213113742/https://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Video_Salt_Lake_City_Mayor_calls_0319.html|archive-date=December 13, 2020|access-date=October 19, 2013|publisher=Rawstory.com}}</ref>

Anderson did not spare his criticism of the Democratic Party, saying:
:The fact that anybody would say that impeachment is off the table when we have a president who has been so egregious in his violations of our constitution, a president who asserts a unitary executive power, that is absolutely chilling.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salt Lake City Mayor calls for Bush impeachment |url=https://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Video_Salt_Lake_City_Mayor_calls_0319.html |access-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213113742/https://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Video_Salt_Lake_City_Mayor_calls_0319.html }}</ref>

In 2006, he expressed his view of the Democratic Party:

<blockquote>But what do I have to say about the Democratic Party? I'm ashamed, really, of how little leadership there has been. There has been just tremendous timidity on the part of the party, generally, although there have been a handful of exceptions. But, you know, we had one member of the United States Senate vote against the PATRIOT Act, the blank check that was given by Congress to this president, I think in total abrogation of the role of Congress under separation of powers and under the power to make war, to declare war. They gave that away to a president that didn't have his facts straight and, I think, was manipulating the intelligence to sell this war.<ref>[http://www.democracynow.org/2006/9/26/salt_lake_citys_mayor_rocky_anderso Salt Lake City's Mayor Rocky Anderson: "This War Was Sold to the American People Largely by Fox and Other Members of the Media and We Were Lied To"], democracynow.org; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref></blockquote>

Anderson researched, wrote, produced, and narrated a major multimedia piece concerning the invasion and occupation of Iraq, as well as the case for impeachment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSDnLDxVdw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/PrSDnLDxVdw |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Rocky Anderson's compelling case for impeachment|publisher=Youtube.com|date=February 4, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Human rights advocacy===
After almost eight years as mayor of Salt Lake City, Anderson decided that he would not run for re-election, and that he would instead devote himself to educating, motivating, and mobilizing people to push elected officials and others to take action to prevent or stop major human rights abuses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constitutioncampaign.org/blog/?p=3087#.TptJi97iFmI|title=Patriot Award: Rocky Anderson|publisher=Constitutioncampaign.org|date=August 19, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019171158/http://www.constitutioncampaign.org/blog/?p=3087#.TptJi97iFmI|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Anderson has stressed the importance of people at the grassroots level advocating for progressive change, stating, "We keep expecting elected officials will do the right thing, and the fact is they never do unless they're pushed."<ref>{{cite news |last=McDonough|first=Ted|url=http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/print-article-6746-print.html|title=Rocky Times|newspaper=City Weekly |date=February 9, 2009|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019170116/http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/print-article-6746-print.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

In January 2008 he founded High Road for Human Rights, a non-profit organization set up to achieve major reforms of US human rights policies and practices through unique, coordinated and sustained grassroots activism that complements the work of other human rights organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/about/vision-and-mission|title=Vision and Mission|publisher=Highroadforhumanrights.info|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

The principle that underpined the organization is that most politicians will do nothing unless they are pushed. High Road was a bottom-up, grassroots-based organization founded "to make it clear there will be short-term political costs for those who continue to ignore these kinds of problems ... Every time a congressperson or senator comes home and hold a meeting, there [should be] a group there pushing on the same issues", according to Anderson.<ref name="cityweekly.net">{{cite news |last=McDonough|first=Ted|url=http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/article-12-6942-feature-rocky-times-rocky-anderson-is-still-on-the-case-barack-obama-had-better-watch-his-back.html?current_page=2|title=Rocky Times: Rocky Anderson is still on the case. Barack Obama had better watch his back|newspaper=City Weekly |date=February 5, 2009|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> High Road had a growing membership base and active local teams of people who met and worked together to bring about change.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/teams/about-teams|title=High Road For Human Rights: Teams|publisher=Highroadforhumanrights.info|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019110440/http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/teams/about-teams/|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

The organization had a broad-based membership, with an Advisory Committee composed of prominent human-rights, environmental and political activists, as well as artists, actors, and writers, including [[Ed Asner]], [[Harry Belafonte]], Lester Brown, Hillary Brown, Ben Cohen, [[Daniel Ellsberg]], Ross Gelbspan, [[Susan Joy Hassol]], [[Mark Hertsgaard]], [[Mimi Kennedy]], [[Paul Rogat Loeb]], [[Edward Mazria]], [[Bill McKibben]], [[Yoko Ono]], Gus Speth, Winnie Singh, [[Sheila Watt-Cloutier]], [[Elie Wiesel]], and [[Terry Tempest Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/about/our-team|title=High Road for Human Rights: Our Team|publisher=Highroadforhumanrights.info|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019110444/http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/about/our-team/|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> High Road for Human Rights primarily addressed five issues: torture and the undermining of the rule of law, genocide, slavery, the death penalty, and the human rights implications of the climate crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/issues|title=High Road for Human Rights: Issues|publisher=Highroadforhumanrights.info|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019110448/http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/issues/|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

Anderson testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee during a hearing on September 25, 2008, concerning executive branch abuses of power,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700246038/Rocky-Anderson-calls-for-Bush-impeachment-at-Congressional-committee-hearing.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729135230/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700246038/Rocky-Anderson-calls-for-Bush-impeachment-at-Congressional-committee-hearing.html|archive-date=July 29, 2012|title=Rocky Anderson calls for Bush impeachment at Congressional committee hearing|newspaper=Deseret News |date=July 25, 2008|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> and spoke at rallies organized by High Road for Human Rights in which he called for accountability for torture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXUZ01WSlF8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/lXUZ01WSlF8 |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Rocky Anderson – Part One – Torture Accountability Action Day|publisher=Youtube.com|date=June 26, 2009|access-date=October 19, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He has also researched, written, produced, and narrated two multimedia pieces focusing on torture and the undermining of the rule of law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECPGenexyKM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/ECPGenexyKM |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=High Road for Human Rights – Rule of Law|publisher=Youtube.com|date=June 26, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

For his work on human rights matters during his tenure as Executive Director of High Road for Human Rights, Anderson received the Morehouse University Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award and the Bill of Rights Defense Committee's Patriot Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bordc.org/newsletter/2011/08/#patriot|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803062328/http://www.bordc.org/newsletter/2011/08/%23patriot|title=Bill of Rights Defense Committee: Patriot Award: Rocky Anderson|publisher=Bordc.org|date=August 12, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-date=August 3, 2012}}</ref>

===Criticisms of President Obama and the Democratic Party===
After President Obama's election, Anderson was critical of many of his policy positions and staff selections. He opposed [[Susan Rice]], whom Obama appointed as [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations|United States ambassador to the United Nations]]. Anderson criticized Rice for "doing nothing" to stop the [[Rwandan genocide]] as a staff member of the [[United States National Security Council]].<ref name="McDonough">{{Cite web |last=McDonough |first=Ted |title=Feature {{!}} Rocky Times: Rocky Anderson is still on the case. Barack Obama had better watch his back. |url=https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/feature-rocky-times-rocky-anderson-is-still-on-the-case-barack-obama-had-better-watch-his-back/Content?oid=2135764 |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=Salt Lake City Weekly |language=en}}</ref> (Samantha Power described how Rice had advocated not using the word "genocide" in connection with the 1994 Rwandan genocide because of the potential "effect on the November [congressional] election.").<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stephens |first=Bret |date=2020-08-11 |title=Opinion {{!}} Susan Rice Was a Diplomatic Disaster |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/10/opinion/susan-rice-africa.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Anderson was also critical of the appointment by Obama of [[John Brennan (CIA officer)|John Brennan]] as his counter-terrorism adviser because Brennan, as a member of the George W. Bush administration, had publicly supported wiretapping, "enhanced interrogation", and the "rendition" of war-on-terror suspects to offshore prisons beyond the reach of American law. Anderson also pointed to what he described as Obama's change of position after he received the Democratic presidential nomination on the question of immunity for telecom companies that cooperated with the Bush Administration's wiretapping program.<ref name="McDonough"/>

He was also critical of Obama's advocacy of "clean coal" after winning the Democratic nomination for president.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Obama Administration's Take on "Clean" Coal |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/obama-and-clean-coal/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref> Deeming himself to be "non-partisan" in his critiques of policy, Anderson has subsequently gone on to fiercely criticize the Obama Administration in numerous areas, stating:

<blockquote>I don't know what people were expecting, all this hope and change nonsense ... There's no question that we're seeing a continuation [of the harm to], and even in some instances a worsening of our republic under this administration. The Obama administration has contended that no documents stamped as secret by a government agent should ever be allowed into evidence by our courts. That even goes beyond what the Bush Administration did.</blockquote>

Anderson has emphasized the apparent discrepancies between Obama's positions as a candidate for the 2008 presidency and the actions he has taken as president, believing that "President Obama has betrayed us in almost every single way from being a candidate to being the President of the United States."<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnx0co_BpNQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/dnx0co_BpNQ |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|title=6/26/2011 Rocky Anderson on Rod Decker Show|publisher=Youtube.com|date=July 7, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Anderson has pointed to Obama's failure to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, refusing to prosecute what Anderson deems to be the "war criminals" of the Bush administration, continuing renditions, violating the War Power Clause of the Constitution and the [[War Powers Resolution]] by committing military troops to Libya without congressional authorization, and continuing, and even expanding, the occupation in Afghanistan. He stated that Obama is "the least deserving recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in the history of the Nobel Peace Prize."<ref>{{Citation |title=6/26/2011 Rocky Anderson on Rod Decker Show | date=July 7, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnx0co_BpNQ |language=en |access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref>

Concerning Obama's alleged betrayal of the rule of law, Anderson has commented:

<blockquote>The complacency that has allowed wars of aggression, wars of choice, we weren't forced into them, they were totally illegal wars under international law, the kinds of war crimes that took place, with people just saying, even our current president, 'Oh, let's put that behind us. Let's not call people to account. Let's not enforce our laws<ref>{{cite web|url=http://connect2utah.com/news-story/?nxd_id=87345|title=Rocky Anderson Slams Obama In 2News Interview|publisher=Connect2utah.com|access-date=2013-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711143525/http://connect2utah.com/news-story/?nxd_id=87345|archive-date=July 11, 2010}}</ref></blockquote>

On August 11, 2011, major news media in Utah reported that Anderson had denounced the Democratic Party and had resigned his membership. Anderson wrote in a letter to the [[Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]] that "Until the Democratic Party shows some spine and draws a line in the sand — that an end to the tax breaks for the wealthy needs to be part of any debt/budget bill — please take my name off your list."<ref name="Rolly: Rocky Anderson says adieu to the Democratic Party">{{Cite news|last=Rolly|first=Paul|title=Rolly: Rocky Anderson says adieu to the Democratic Party|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=August 11, 2011|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52371987-90/anderson-arner-done-guard.html.csp|access-date=September 2, 2011}}</ref> He added: "I'm done with the Democratic Party. As I said on [[Amy Goodman]]'s show a couple years ago, I've put my 'Proud Democrat' coffee mug in storage. I think now I'll just throw it in the garbage and have done with it" and that "The [[United States Constitution|Constitution]] has been eviscerated while Democrats have stood by with nary a whimper. It is a gutless, unprincipled party, bought and paid for by the same interests that buy and pay for the Republican Party."<ref name="Former S.L. mayor Rocky Anderson divorces himself from 'gutless' Democratic Party">{{Cite news|last=Romboy|first=Dennis|title=Former S.L. mayor Rocky Anderson divorces himself from 'gutless' Democratic Party|newspaper=Deseret News |date=August 12, 2011|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705389115/Former-SL-mayor-Rocky-Anderson-divorces-himself-from-gutless-Democratic-Party.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817040859/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705389115/Former-SL-mayor-Rocky-Anderson-divorces-himself-from-gutless-Democratic-Party.html|archive-date=August 17, 2011|access-date=September 2, 2011}}</ref>

Anderson has stated that despite his earlier belief that the Bush administration would be merely an "aberration" in the history of the US, "President Obama has institutionalized some of the worst abuses of the Bush Administration."<ref>{{Citation |title=6/26/2011 Rocky Anderson on Rod Decker Show | date=July 7, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnx0co_BpNQ |language=en |access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref>

=== Criticisms of President Trump ===
Anderson has been an adamant critic of Donald Trump, having authored written pieces about Trump and his supporters,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rocky Anderson: Shocked and disgusted? Trump's enablers should look at themselves |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=4452260&itype=CMSID |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> and produced two videos in advance of the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 election]] accusing him of misogynistic conduct.<ref>{{Citation |title=Depraved Trump: Unfit As President (Full-Version) | date=October 20, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8dWO75-UBU |language=en |access-date=2022-11-01}}</ref>

===2012 presidential campaign===
{{See also|2012 United States presidential election}}
{{Wikinews|Wikinews interviews former Salt Lake City mayor and 2012 presidential candidate Rocky Anderson}}
{{Wikinews|Rocky Anderson announces he will seek Americans Elect nomination}}
On November 29, 2011, the ''[[Salt Lake Tribune]]'' quotes Anderson as saying, "I'll be announcing my candidacy," for the 2012 presidential nomination of a new national political party. This party later called the [[Justice Party (United States)|Justice Party]]. Its formation is reported to have been discussed among Anderson; [[Margaret Flowers]], a medical doctor and proponent of a [[Single-payer health care|single-payer health plan]]; [[Kevin Zeese]], an organizer of the [[Occupy D.C.]] movement; and former U.S. Rep. [[John B. Anderson|John Anderson]], who ran for president as an independent in the [[1980 United States presidential election|1980 presidential election]].<ref name="Rocky Anderson returns -- this time shooting for nation's top office">{{Cite news|last=Robert|first=Gehrke|title=Rocky Anderson returns -- this time shooting for nation's top office |newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |date=November 29, 2011|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/53014248-90/anderson-party-rocky-ballot.html.csp?page=2|access-date=November 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705395124/Rocky-Anderson-forms-Justice-Party-plans-to-run-for-president.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201221022/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705395124/Rocky-Anderson-forms-Justice-Party-plans-to-run-for-president.html|archive-date=December 1, 2011|title=Rocky Anderson forms Justice Party, plans to run for president|date=November 30, 2011|access-date=December 2, 2011|author=Romboy, Dennis|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]}}</ref>

[[File:Rocky takes a picture..jpg|thumb|Anderson on the campaign trail in 2012.|alt=refer to adjacent text]]

Anderson formally accepted the 2012 presidential nomination of the Justice Party on January 13, 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705397350/Rocky-Anderson-accepts-his-newly-formed-partys-presidential-nomination.html?pg=1|title=Rocky Anderson accepts his newly-formed party's presidential nomination|newspaper=[[Deseret News]]|date=January 13, 2012|access-date=February 1, 2012|author=Schwarz, Hunter|archive-date=January 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118072302/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705397350/Rocky-Anderson-accepts-his-newly-formed-partys-presidential-nomination.html?pg=1}}</ref> His running mate was [[Luis J. Rodriguez]], a [[Chicano movement|Chicano]] activist and writer from California.<ref name="VP">{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/54506925-90/rodriguez-activist-anderson-author.html.csp|title=Rocky picks activist-author as his VP running mate|last=Gehrke|first=Robert|date=July 17, 2012|newspaper=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]|access-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref>

In March 2012, Anderson announced that he was seeking the presidential nomination of [[Americans Elect]] in addition to campaigning as the Justice Party nominee.<ref>Higgs, Steven (March 17, 2012) [http://www.bloomingtonalternative.com/articles/2012/03/17/10928 "Anderson embraces Americans Elect nominating process"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412072038/http://www.bloomingtonalternative.com/articles/2012/03/17/10928 |date=April 12, 2012 }}, ''The Bloomington Alternative''; retrieved March 21, 2012.</ref><ref>Derby, Kevin (March 17, 2012) [http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/established-politicians-going-third-party-2012-race "Established Politicians Going Third Party in 2012 Race"], ''Sunshine State News''; retrieved March 21, 2012.</ref> The following May, Americans Elect announced that it would not run a presidential nominee in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/third-party-effort-packs-it-in-for-2012|title=Third party effort packs it in for 2012|work=CNN|date=May 17, 2012|access-date=August 3, 2012|author=Liptak, Kevin|archive-date=August 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805021542/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/third-party-effort-packs-it-in-for-2012/}}</ref>

Anderson was nominated by the [[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law Party]] in Michigan, the Independent Party of Connecticut, the Independent Party of New Mexico, the Progressive Party of Oregon, and was on the ballot in Idaho and Tennessee as an independent candidate. Anderson appeared on the ballot in new states under the Justice Party banner with running-mate Rodriguez.<ref name="NL party">{{cite web|url=http://www.ballot-access.org/2012/08/07/natural-law-party-of-michigan-nominates-rocky-anderson-for-president|title=Natural Law Party of Michigan Nominates Rocky Anderson for President|last=Winger|first=Richard|date=August 7, 2012|work=Ballot Access News|access-date=August 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021173913/http://ballot-access.org/2012/08/07/natural-law-party-of-michigan-nominates-rocky-anderson-for-president|archive-date=October 21, 2015}}</ref> He also sought the presidential nomination of the [[Peace and Freedom Party]],<ref>[http://www.ballot-access.org/2012/02/09/peace-freedom-party-attempts-to-persuade-california-secretary-of-state-to-list-all-four-presidential-candidates-in-party-presidential-primary "Peace & Freedom Party Attempts to Persuade California Secretary of State to List All Four Presidential Candidates in Party Presidential Primary"], ''[[Ballot Access News]]''. February 9, 2012; retrieved August 3, 2012. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021173922/http://www.ballot-access.org/2012/02/09/peace-freedom-party-attempts-to-persuade-california-secretary-of-state-to-list-all-four-presidential-candidates-in-party-presidential-primary|date=October 21, 2015}}</ref> but withdrew his bid for that nomination in August 2012.<ref>[http://www.ballot-access.org/2012/08/02/rocky-anderson-withdraws-from-peace-freedom-party-convention-process/ "Rocky Anderson Withdraws from Peace & Freedom Party Convention Process"], ''Ballot Access News'', August 2, 2012; retrieved August 3, 2012. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021173933/http://www.ballot-access.org/2012/08/02/rocky-anderson-withdraws-from-peace-freedom-party-convention-process|date=October 21, 2015}}</ref> He received 43,018 votes, or 0.03 percent of the vote.<ref>[http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf Federal Elections 2012: Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives"], fec.gov; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref>

==Claims and responses==
{{Criticism section|date=August 2021}}
In August 2005, Anderson violated [[Salt Lake City]] policy when he used $634 in public funds to purchase meals and [[alcoholic beverage]]s on two occasions for musicians who performed at the Salt Lake City International [[Jazz Festival]] and for visiting mayors from throughout the country. The ''[[Deseret News]]'' published four consecutive front-page articles on the story, and portrayed the purchases as "bar tabs".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oneutah.org/oneutah-filez/authors/ra/DMN_Letter.htm|title=The Biased and Deceptive Reporting in the Deseret Morning News|publisher=Oneutah.org|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

When interviewed in September 2005 by the ''Deseret Morning News'', Anderson stated that he disagreed with the policy, asserting that the provision of hospitality to out-of-town visitors is an important mayoral function, and that exceptions to the policy had been made previously.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/615153604/Rockys-bar-tab-paid-by-the-city.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502203204/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/615153604/Rockys-bar-tab-paid-by-the-city.html|archive-date=May 2, 2012|title=Rocky's bar tab paid by the city|newspaper=Deseret News|date=September 28, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> The policy was subsequently changed to allow appropriate purchases of food and alcohol when entertaining out-of-town guests. Mayor Anderson used his private funds to reimburse the City for expenditures incurred while entertaining visiting mayors.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/615153803/Rocky-to-jettison-alcohol-policy.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502222913/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/615153803/Rocky-to-jettison-alcohol-policy.html|archive-date=May 2, 2012|title=Rocky to jettison alcohol policy|newspaper=Deseret News |date=September 29, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>

The ''Deseret News'' soon generated additional controversy with its coverage of an interview that Anderson gave to ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper in [[London]]. Leading with the headline, "LDS Church Not Taliban, Rocky says", the paper noted that Anderson had compared life in [[Utah]] to life under the [[Taliban]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/oct/03/usa.comment|work=The Guardian|location=London, UK|title=If progressives can win in Utah, they can win anywhere|first=Gary|last=Younge|date=October 3, 2005|access-date=May 22, 2010}}</ref> Anderson later said the comment, intended to be light-hearted, was not directed toward the state, its residents, or the LDS Church. Rather, he said, the comment was directed toward local media, particularly the Deseret Morning News, which had originally characterized his [[Alcohol (drug)|alcohol]] and food purchases at a local restaurant as "bar tabs", and which had run articles about the fact that a Salt Lake City Reads Together book selection contained profanity.

In October 2005, local politicians accused Anderson of improperly spending public money. This time the issue centered around travel to [[Italy]] connected with the [[2006 Winter Olympic Games]].<ref>{{cite news |last=May|first=Heather|url=http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3091227|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |title=GOP chairman calls for an investigation of Rocky's spending |date=October 6, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019094247/http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3091227|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Anderson responded that the trip to [[Turin, Italy|Turin]] was to continue the longstanding Olympic tradition of delivering the Olympic message without the use of any fossil fuels and did not cost Utah taxpayers any money since it was privately financed.

On June 12, 2007, following a meeting in a City Council workroom, Anderson was involved in a physical and verbal confrontation with a real-estate developer [[Dell Loy Hansen]]. After Hansen reportedly yelled at and grabbed Anderson's shoulder, Anderson responded by threatening to "kick [Hansen's] ass" if he touched Anderson again.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-06-15 |newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |title=Rocky, downtown developer in City Hall fracas that nearly comes to blows |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6127662 |access-date=2022-11-01 |archive-date=June 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615135802/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6127662 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Though Anderson has acknowledged the importance of some fundamental moral lessons he learned as a young member of the LDS Church, and has described the value he places on his Mormon heritage,<ref>Ross C. Anderson, " 'But They Didn't Win': Politics and Integrity," Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought (Vol. 31 No. 1 Spring 1998), p. 107.</ref> he has spoken out about the LDS Church's discrimination against gays and lesbians,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=October 23, 2008|title=Mormons vs Civil Rights|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2008/10/mormons-vs-civil-rights/209736|access-date=October 19, 2013|magazine=The Atlantic}}</ref> and has written on this issue.<ref>Rocky Anderson, "A Call for Compassion", ''Dialogue – A Journal of Mormon Thought'' (Vol. 42 No. 2 Summer 2009), p. v.-vii</ref> He appeared in the films, ''[[8: The Mormon Proposition]],''<ref>[http://www.lovefilm.com/browse/contributor/146062/Rocky-Anderson.html; http://movietrailers2.com/8-the-mormon-proposition/873 "8: A Mormon Proposition"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403022941/http://www.lovefilm.com/browse/contributor/146062/Rocky-Anderson.html; |date=April 3, 2012 }}, LoveFilm.com; accessed January 22, 2017.</ref> and "Quiet Heroes".<ref>{{Citation |last1=Mackenzie |first1=Jenny |title=Quiet Heroes |date=2018-01-21 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7391448/ |type=Documentary |publisher=Vavani |access-date=2022-11-01 |last2=Ruga |first2=Jared |last3=Stoddard |first3=Amanda}}</ref>

Anderson has one son, born in 1982, and has been married and divorced twice. He lives in Salt Lake City with his Golden Retriever, Franklin (full name: Franklin New Deal Wonder Boy) and, decades-old Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot, Cardozo.

A multi-part documentary by Rhea Gavry and Doug Monroe about Rocky Anderson, including discussions with Daniel Ellsberg, Ralph Nader, Katrina vanden Heuvel and many others, ten years in the making, is now available for viewing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-07-31 |title=New documentary series on former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson a decade in the making |url=https://www.deseret.com/2018/7/31/20650071/new-documentary-series-on-former-salt-lake-city-mayor-rocky-anderson-a-decade-in-the-making |access-date=2022-11-01 |newspaper=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* [http://www.citymayors.com/mayors/salt_lake_city_mayor.html City Mayors profile of Rocky Anderson, published January 2007]
* (unsigned article), "Progressive City Leaders", ''[[The Nation (U.S. periodical)|The Nation]]'', June 18, 2005, p.&nbsp;18-19.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120619020853/http://www.voterocky.com/ Extensive bio from 2003 reelection campaign website]. Retrieved September 26, 2006.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071228153524/http://www.slcgov.com/mayor/bio.htm Official Mayor's office bio] retrieved October 2004
* Brady Snyder, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120419203145/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/515033969/Tough-Rocky-also-has-a-soft-side.html Tough Rocky also has a soft side] ''[[Deseret News]]'', September 24, 2003. Article about the 2003 mayoral race retrieved October 2004
* Erin Stewart and Kersten Swinyard, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120503024040/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/605154239/Are-Rockys-methods-hurting-city-business.html Are Rocky's methods hurting city business?]. ''[[Deseret News]]'', September 13, 2005. Retrieved September 2005
* Brady Snyder, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120502203204/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/615153604/Rockys-bar-tab-paid-by-the-city.html Rocky's bar tab paid by the city], ''[[Deseret Morning News]]'', September 28, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2005.
* ''Deseret Morning News'' editorial board, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120502221025/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/615155635/Rocky-and-the-Taliban.html Rocky and the Taliban], ''[[Deseret Morning News]]'', October 6, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2005.
* ''Ogden Standard-Examiner'' editorial board, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060110191927/http://www.standard.net/standard/opinion/63922/ Rocky vs. the Taliban], ''[[Ogden Standard-Examiner]]'', October 6, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2005.
* Heather May, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234938/http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3091227 GOP chairman calls for an investigation of Rocky's spending], ''[[Salt Lake Tribune]]'', October 6, 2005. Retrieved October 7, 2005.
* [http://kutv.com/video/?id=18850@kutv.dayport.com Anti-war protest speech] (video as recorded by CBS) by Rocky Anderson given on August 30, 2006. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
* [http://oneutah.org/oneutah-filez/authors/ra/Aug30-06speech.pdf Text of August 30, 2006, Speech (pdf)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130124232000/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110604145620/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6153683903005498978&hl=en]

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.rockyandersonjustice.com/}}
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/Rocky_Anderson.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* [http://www.highroadforhumanrights.org/ High Road for Human Rights]
* [http://www.justicepartyusa.org/ Justice Party home page]

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Deedee Corradini]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of mayors of Salt Lake City|Mayor of Salt Lake City]]|years=2000–2008}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ralph Becker (mayor)|Ralph Becker]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Salt Lake City}}
{{SLCMayors}}
{{United States presidential election, 2012}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Rocky}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century mayors of places in Utah]]
[[Category:21st-century Utah politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century mayors of places in Utah]]
[[Category:American agnostics]]
[[Category:American anti–Iraq War activists]]
[[Category:American drug policy reform activists]]
[[Category:American people of Norwegian descent]]
[[Category:American social democrats]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2012 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Former Latter Day Saints]]
[[Category:George Washington University Law School alumni]]
[[Category:Justice Party (United States) politicians]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mayors of Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Peace and Freedom Party politicians]]
[[Category:Politicians from Logan, Utah]]
[[Category:University of Utah alumni]]
[[Category:Utah Democrats]]
[[Category:LGBTQ rights activists from California]]