Five Black Lives Matter protesters will each receive financial settlements of $5,000 after being banned from Iowa’s Capitol.
The story: The Iowa State Appeal Board on Monday unanimously voted to approve a proposed settlement agreement to pay five Black Lives Matter protesters after they filed a lawsuit for being banned from the Iowa Capitol grounds.
The protesters argued that their constitutional rights were violated.
As part of the settlement, they will each receive $5,000. Additionally, the state will withdraw all bans to the protesters so they “may continue to enter and use the Iowa Capitol Complex on the same basis and under the same terms as any other law-abiding member of the public.”
How we got here: The Des Moines police at the state Capitol arrested a total of 17 protesters, including the five that filed the lawsuit, on July 1, 2020, after a confrontation with police officers.
The Iowa State Patrol later informed Jalesha Johnson, Louise Bequeaith, Haley Jo Dikkers, Brad Penna, and Brandi Ramus that they have been banned from Capitol grounds. They told the protestors that legislative leaders ordered the ban and that they would be charged with trespassing if they return to the Capitol.
Part of the group was banned for six months and others for a year, according to The Associated Press.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a lawsuit on behalf of the protests, arguing that the ban violates their constitutional rights of free speech, assembly, right to petition their government, right to freedom of movement, and due process.
The group named Iowa State Patrol Lt. Steven Lawrence, Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, Sgt. Tyson Underwood and trooper Durk Pearston as defendants.
U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger in December agreed that the ban likely violated the protesters’ rights and prevented state officials from enforcing it.
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.