August 21, 2020
DMPD ARRESTS AN ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE MOVEMENT
DES MOINES, IOWA — On August 20, at approximately 10:40 AM, a DSM BLM organizer was targeted by the Des Moines Police Department at Urban Dreams. He was preparing humanitarian aid for our neighbors in Cedar Rapids who are currently living without basic necessities such as food, shelter and water. On the same day, a BLM supporter, ally and a member of the Clergy was also arrested at her home. Both DSM BLM Organizer and supporter and ally were arrested for allegedly interfering with official acts.
We must set the record straight and let the public, our supporters and allies know that these claims are simply falsehoods conjured by DMPD to distract the public from the important work BLM is doing in this city and across the state. The press release issued by DMPD shortly after the arrests is also a collection of lies designed to demonize community members who are working to bring about racial justice and hold our officers and elected officials accountable for their actions.
Through their own press release, DMPD confirms that they had a Des Moines Police Department detective in an unmarked car at a non-violent protest monitoring and harassing protestors exercising their constitutional rights on August 15. Instead of protecting protestors' right to assembly, DMPD showed up armed and in riot gear. DMPD then waited 5 business days to come up with these alleged and falsified charges. Officers Yanira Scarlett, Pete Wilson and Ben Carter (#5088) were involved in yesterday’s arrest. There are countless others who have profiled, terrorized and abused our community.
The people must know that DMPD showed up to arrest a DSM BLM organizer armed and in an unmarked police car. These are known scare tactics used throughout Black liberation movements. Urban Dreams, a local organization that has housed DSM BLM, serves as a place of support and refuge for folks experiencing houselessness. The presence of police in that space is a threat and is unwelcome. The actions of DMPD are clear attempts to target community members who are critical of the DMPD, their actions, policies and overall ability to serve the people they swore to protect and serve.
Legal observer Sally Frank described DMPD’s actions— arresting an organizer on site for a charge which doesn’t call for jail time— as “mystifying.” City councilmember Josh Mandelbaum said of the arrests that they, “at best give the appearance of retaliation.” DMPD actions were wrong and an act of retaliation, not to mention carried out on a day DSM BLM held Justice 4 Black Children. This march and vigil called out the failure of DMPD to bring justice to Abdi Sharif and his family.
Protest, explicitly street demonstrations and marches, not only have a rich precedent in American history, but are also constitutionally protected activities which residents, neighbors and allies of Des Moines should be able to participate in without police harassment, surveillance, retaliation and persecution. This abuse of power will not go unaddressed.
We are calling on Polk County to drop charges against all protestors. DMPD will not silence the people. We will keep campaigning, keep demonstrating, keep marching, keep disrupting and taking up space until the DMPD is completely defunded and racist encroachments on the law such as yesterday’s are a thing of the past.
Black Lives Matter.