Black Lives Matter activists continue to put pressure on Gov. Kim Reynolds with a protest and block party Saturday night, demanding she sign an executive …
Black Lives Matter activists continue to put pressure on Gov. Kim Reynolds with a protest and block party Saturday night, demanding she sign an executive order that would reinstate voting rights — without restitution or poll taxes — to Iowans with felony convictions who have served their sentences.
It’s the 16th day of demonstrations in Des Moines and metro suburbs linked with the national outrage sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis.
The demonstrations have seen results: The Iowa Legislature on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that bans most chokeholds unless an officer’s life is in jeopardy and addresses other issues associated with police misconduct. Reynolds signed the bill into law on Friday.
► More: Protesters in Des Moines pause for a night to celebrate their wins
A group of six Des Moines Black Lives Matter activists also met with Reynolds and other elected officials on Friday to discuss an executive order that would quickly reinstate voting rights for Iowans with felony convictions prior to November’s presidential election.
They emerged from the meeting saying Reynolds was open — although noncommittal — to signing such an order. Reynolds plans to meet with activists again on Monday to show them a draft.
Activists continue to protest throughout Des Moines demanding the executive order be signed promptly with a Saturday night protest at 5 p.m. at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and a 7 p.m. block party at Terrace Hill.
Check back throughout Saturday evening for coverage of both events.
6:43 p.m.: Protesters arrive at Terrace Hill. Iowa State Patrol is there as well. The crowd yells «Hands up, don’t shoot!»
Register reporter Maya Mucounted five ISP officers, and four police officers in bulletproof vests.
