Iowa Democrats Unveil Police Conduct Bill; GOP Considering
Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa Democrats and black leaders called Thursday for urgent action by state lawmakers to enact laws regulating police conduct and investigations, after a week of protests across the nation over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
On the statehouse steps, Rep. Ras Smith, a Democrat from Waterloo, said lawmakers “must begin to respond to this crisis, to bring justice to George Floyd, and work toward a day where no Iowan has to live in fear of becoming another hashtag.”
The initiative Democrats are calling the More Perfect Union plan includes a measure that would make it illegal for law officers in Iowa to use a chokehold or any other neck restraint unless a person poses an imminent threat of death or bodily injury.
Other proposals would make it illegal for Iowa police departments to hire officers who were fired or who resigned while being investigated for serious misconduct or excessive force, and would empower the state attorney general and county attorneys to bring charges against law enforcement for police misconduct.
Democrats plan to add the proposals as amendments to another bill before adjourning the shortened legislative session.
Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley said he has met with Democrats to discuss realistic solutions to address racial disparities in Iowa.
“I appreciate the proposals that the Democrats have brought forward today and look forward to seeing the actual language that they are proposing so we can try to find common ground,” he said.
Senate Republican leader Jack Whitver said he appreciates efforts of community leaders working to implement reforms to reduce violent conflicts between law enforcement and Iowans.
“These three proposals are great ideas focused on bringing some real solutions to this problem. I am committed to working with the governor and the House to implement those ideas,” he said.
Gov. Kim Reynolds said she wasn’t aware of the proposals before Thursday but that she would continue to have conversations and work to address issues concerning Iowans.
“It doesn’t mean no. It doesn’t mean it can’t continue to move forward, but it also doesn’t mean if we can’t get it done in a week that we’re done,” she said. “We’re not going to fix this overnight but we need to listen, we need to understand and we need to demonstrate that we’re making progress along the way,”
Community activist Yena Balekyani, who fled with her family from wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo at age 1, supported the Democrats’ measures. She’s been marching for change in Des Moines the past five days, she said.
In the United States for 15 years, she said she’s seen black men and women silenced for simply being black.
“We have a right to walk and feel free and safe,” she said, adding that young people are tired of being treated as if they are not valued by police.
She told lawmakers she’ll hold them accountable to pass laws that protect her and people who look like her.
“I am holding you guys accountable,” she told the legislators. “I will be here and if this is not passed I will be in the streets. We will be out here every single night until black lives matter again,” she said.
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