Screenshot from video posted by Des Moines police of clash with protesters at state capitol.
DES MOINES – At least 15 people were arrested Wednesday at the Iowa state capitol as police converged on protesters with Black Lives Matter who police say had earlier committed acts of vandalism at a grocery store and other locations in Iowa’s largest city.
Police say on the afternoon of June 20, 2020, “another ‘peaceful’ protest at a local grocery store resulted in customers being turned away from or stuck inside a local business, and a police car was destroyed.” Police say a sculpture park was vandalized and in a residential area there were reports of “streets being blocked, fireworks, loud music, and passersby being spit upon.”
As a result of these alleged actions, police arrived at the Iowa State Capitol building Wednesday where they evidently knew protesters were gathering, and set upon taking suspects in to custody.
Des Moines police released the following statement on the encounter Wednesday:
Screenshot of video posted by Des Moines Black Lives Matter of the cash with cops at the state capitol
Today, multiple police officers were assaulted at the State Capitol while arresting persons wanted in connection with the vandalism at Hy Vee on 20 June 20. Efforts to encourage these offenders to turn themselves in were declined, and today they were taken into custody when they were seen at a Black Lives Matter protest event. These arrests went without incident.
As officers escorted an arrestee out of the building, they were swarmed and assaulted. The attached video is only seconds after the arrestee was led out of the Capitol.
Protestors have said that they were pushed out of the Capitol. They followed, surrounded, and assaulted the arresting officers.
In this video you’ll see an officer being attacked from behind, placed in a chokehold, and wrestled to the ground. During this assault the officer was disarmed of his duty handgun. Towards the end of the video, you will see the officer gain control of the arrestee and his handgun, fortunately successfully re-holstering it.
Eventually, order was restored but not before at least 15 more arrests had to be made.
Central Iowa law enforcement has been supportive of peaceful protests, and professional and tolerant with non-violent protests that illegally block roadways for hours and disrupt neighborhoods. We have exercised restraint and discretion during times of criminal damage to property.
Arrests are not an attempt to halt progress or punish any person that is critical of our department. Arrests in connection with the vandalism at Hy Vee and other local businesses address the real cost of the damage; the financial and emotional impact on the owners, consumers, and in some cases, the taxpayer.
Photo of vandalized police car at a Des Moines Hy-Vee; photo via DMPD social media
Throughout these events, officers have been assaulted with rocks, bricks, and bottles of water/urine. These attacks end today. Violence against anyone, including police officers, will result in arrest.
Our Des Moines Police Department has continued, daily, to engage in discussions and work with community leaders and activists focused on partnering together to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Des Moines. This will continue.
