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The Kansas-based anti-abortion group Operation Save America displays graphic images of dead fetuses Wednesday on Town Square. The group will be protesting in various locations through Sunday. Photo by Bradly J. Boner/Jackson Hole Daily

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The first day of Operation Save America’s four-day protest in Jackson was largely peaceful, with only three incidents that resulted in residents receiving citations.

A statement released by Teton County spokeswoman Charlotte Reynolds listed one careless driving citation and two for destruction of property.  Reynolds said the citations were “associated with the protests,” and included vandalism of a car, but would not release further details by press time.

Jackson Police Chief Todd Smith, who was keeping an eye on protests Wednesday, said there were “small fires” but characterized the day as uneventful.

Jackson Hole United, a newly formed community group, has been urging citizens to avoid confrontation with the protesters. Some Jackson Hole United members were out Wednesday with signs of their own, not protesting the protesters but urging people to stay away from the OSA demonstrations.

Operation Save America, a religion-based anti-abortion group, is in town until Sunday.

The group wants Dr. Brent Blue to stop performing abortions.

The group is known for using signs featuring images of aborted fetuses. It displayed such signs Wednesday.

Teton County dispatch received several complaints about the protests, but most were resolved without incident.

Protesters will be at the Powderhorn Mall, where Blue has an office, and on Town Square all day while they are here. Police also reported protesters near Jackson Hole Middle School just before school started Wednesday morning.

Police Sgt. Cole Nethercott, the department’s incident commander for the protests, said no protesters went to St. John’s Medical Center on Wednesday.

On the Town Square, a banner depicting aborted fetuses stretched along Cache St. Stand-up signs were set up just inside the antler arch at the intersection of Broadway and Cache. The Town Square demonstration also includes speakers and music.

The signs on the square will be moved slightly for the rest of the visit because of complaints they were blocking pedestrian traffic, according to Reynolds.