At Kinnick, protesters chained themselves to entrance Gates D and F, which led into the upper decks of the stadium. They did so by using bicycle locks, and large rubber bands around their wrists with plastic tubes for protection. Their reasoning behind doing so in the pro-Palestinian protest was to barricade what they believed was a holiday party that University of Iowa president Barbara Wilson hosted for some of the school’s financial donors and partners.

Some of the university’s partners include Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, and Lockheed Martin, both of whom are massive defense and weapons manufacturers. The companies work with the university’s engineering program to eventually hire graduates in their companies, while advancing their education in the field. The protesters believed that some representatives from these companies would be at the holiday party at Kinnick. 

Protesters barricading Gate F. Image via John Glab

The holiday party at Kinnick Stadium was held in a section of the Mediacom Outdoors Club deck, which occupies the second floor of the stadium, overlooking the field. The protesters’ goal was to disrupt this party, and to keep the donors from entering. However, the holiday party wasn’t for donors or corporate sponsors. It was for university staff members and their families. The party had several tables laid out with areas to decorate cookies, play with stuffed animals, interact with Herky, and a throne to tell Santa what they wanted as gifts. About a third of the attendees at the party were children who were engaging in all these activities with their parents. Instead of being a toast to some of the university’s controversial donors, it was just a relatively inconsequential holiday party. 

Along with this, protesters failed to actually barricade the entrances to keep people from entering. The large, cast-iron gates of the stadium were left open for people to walk through and access stairwells. Members of KRUI covering the protest were able to get behind the doors that the protesters chained themselves to. The party and any area of Kinnick was still easily accessible. The main entrance to the stadium was at the nearby bus terminal and was completely accessible. The demonstrators eventually realized this and marched up there with their banners, but did not make it too far before several squad cars rolled up on the scene.  

Inside of the holiday party. Image via Amman Hassan

When the University of Iowa Campus Police arrived, they initially stood watching the protesters. Eventually they responded swiftly and brutally to the protesters chained at Gate D. They seemed to have no care in harming the protesters chained to the doors, as they twisted their arms and wrists, even as they showed no resistance. One protester was crying out in agony to an officer who was twisting their wrist behind their back, but received no sympathy as the officer continued to use excessive force. Two other protesters were kneeled on as they were pressed into the pavement by officers while being detained. One other was seen being dragged away while in a limp position. This was all while protesters were peaceful, and not actually impeding entrances or safety exits. It appears as an unnecessary overreaction by campus police themselves. 

During the second set of arrests at Gate F, police were a lot more careful in removing those chained to the doors. This shift in behavior came after more phone cameras started recording their actions. Demonstrators were removed with the use of bolt cutters, and then zip-tied in handcuffs. Three other protesters were also there ready to give water and medical aid if need be. All three of the protesters acting as medics were doing the same thing, but the only non-white one of them seemed to be targeted and arrested. 

A protesters arm being twisted by police during arrest. Image via John Glab

Later in the evening after the demonstrators arrested were taken to the Johnson County jail, protesters sat outside in support of their fellow organizers. Charges given to the protesters included trespassing and impeding official proceedings, labeled a serious misdemeanor. Within the jail, some of the protesters were placed into solitary confinement, something typically unprecedented for non-violent crimes. Many were also denied medical care for their injuries sustained from being arrested. Along with this, protesters were also misgendered by being placed in the wrong gendered sections of the prison that didn’t correspond with their own identity. Outside, an observer was arrested without reason before being ordered by higher-ups in the police department to be let go. 

Below are documents of official statements from five of the nine protesters arrested, unedited and published in full. These were sent to KRUI by an organizer of the protest. 

Statement from Clara Reynen

Statement from Jenny Kula

Statement from Bellona Allou

Statement from Nix Slater-Scott

Statement from Kate Doolittle

The excessive actions by police in Iowa City, as seen with the response to the Kinnick protests, have been a noticeable trend. Many protesters who attended the demonstrations against Chloe Cole’s anti-trans lecture at the Iowa Memorial Union were arrested weeks later the event for similar crimes to those arrested at Kinnick, even though they were peaceful, non-violent and exercising their freedom of speech. Police also used tear gas and brutal force for many of the Black Lives Matter protests in the Summer of 2020. The trend seems to be a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests by the police themselves.  

A couple days later, on the night of December 12^th, many showed up to the last city council meeting of the calendar year to speak out against the senseless killings and bombings of Palestinians by the Israeli government. The goal was to get Johnson County to call for a ceasefire in Gaza in hopes that if more counties did so, it would put pressure on the federal government to stop aiding Israel in their war. Over fifty people came to the meeting to express their support for the Palestinian people, and a call for a ceasefire.  

Community members who called for a ceasefire standing outside of City Hall. Image via Amman Hassan

Among the people who spoke were Palestinian Iowa City residents who gave detailed stories of their experiences living in both the West Bank and Gaza. These recollections included how the IDF would harass Palestinians. One story told of how an IDF soldier shot a Palestinian man unprovoked, and showed no remorse, even when the man’s family and neighbors were crying out in grief. Others pointed out the utter humanitarian crisis that has been inflicted on the people in Gaza by the Israeli government. Almost no access to drinkable water, no access to medical supplies, the death toll that rises from the bombings, and the immense suffering caused to civilians with these weapons of war were just a few of the things mentioned in the plea to the city council members.  

The scene at city hall was a strong showing of community. Those who came out were sick of the incessant violence and called for an end to it. They felt complacent in the genocide since they paid taxes which the United States government used to help support the Israeli bombings. With all this intense opposition to the Israeli government’s slaughter of Palestinian civilians, the Iowa City community hopes that city council listens to their constituency and calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

This article was written with aid from Amman Hassan.

The post Iowa City Community Members Demand a Ceasefire in Palestine appeared first on KRUI Radio.

“A couple weeks ago I went to speak to the city council about all this garbage and was met with a simple “thank you”, so we decided words aren’t enough to fix this issue.” Stated one of the organizers. “We compiled this pile of trash to demonstrate to our city government their apathy for our natural resources. I cannot make this clear enough, this city government only comes here to help, not to address threats to our ecosystem, but to displace people’s personal belongings that they do not want on display to the public. Now that we have this crowd’s attention, we wanna make very clear our demands for this city, we need proper waste management, in the form of trash cans at every corner of ever bridge that this creek runs through.” 

The frustration voiced by the community organizers highlights a critical gap in waste management within urban areas. As citizens push for a sustainable approach, it’s evident that proactive steps must be taken by local governments to properly manage waste and reduce environmental harm. A key demand, for trash cans at every corner and along major water sources, is essential in ensuring that waste is collected effectively and efficiently. Without the necessary infrastructure, litter continues to pile up, creating unsightly and harmful conditions for ecosystems and public health.

For those struggling with waste management issues on a more personal level, whether in residential areas or commercial spaces, it’s important to seek professional help for trash removal. If you’re dealing with large piles of waste or unwanted items, visit Junk Removal Phoenix, LLC for fast and responsible waste removal services. Their team ensures that waste is disposed of properly, supporting efforts to keep our communities clean and reduce the strain on public systems. By partnering with local removal services, individuals can contribute to the broader movement toward environmental responsibility and cleaner, safer urban spaces.

Image via John Glab

The day before, the protesters had spent fifteen hours removing the trash from Ralston Creek that they had set on city hall. One of the protesters, Jean, who helped out with the clean-up detailed the operation, saying that the group, organized around the local punk scene, went from Hickory Hill Park, to where the creek meets the Iowa River. She stated that the group had bought rubber waders to sift through the creek, and had set up pulley systems to haul up trash. Despite this, she said it was relatively easy to do, at least for six everyday people.

In terms of the danger of the clean-up she said, “The most dangerous part was by far the filthiness of the water. One of our members had water splashed inside his suit, and had developed a rash almost instantly.” She cited the immense amounts of pollution and runoff that went into the creek that made it so toxic to touch.

After making their demands, The protesters proceeded to pick up the trash, and loaded it back on the trailer to eventually take to the dump. As they were doing so I was able to talk to Izzy, one of the organizers for the demonstration and owner of the pickup truck. I asked her what motivated her to come out and do this demonstration. “I walk past Ralston Creek all the time. Seeing it, I’m like damn, there’s all that trash in there, it’d be so easy to pay some people and clean that up. I later found out there’s this labyrinth of just like unaccountability. It’s like multiple departments all saying that it’s not their job, and that it’s the job of another department.”

After witnessing the dedicated efforts of the protesters to clean up Ralston Creek, one can draw parallels to the meticulous approach taken by professional cleaning services in homes. Just as Jean and her group organized around a shared goal, cleaning services are adept at coordinating efforts to ensure thorough cleanliness. They employ specialized equipment and techniques tailored to the task at hand, much like the protesters used rubber waders and pulley systems for their creek cleanup. Despite the challenges highlighted by Jean, such as the filthiness of the water, professional cleaners mitigate risks by adhering to strict safety protocols and using appropriate cleaning agents.

When looking for house cleaning near me services, homeowners frequently look for dependable professionals who can address cleanliness concerns effectively and attentively. Similar to the frustrations expressed by the protesters regarding bureaucratic challenges, homeowners may also face obstacles in finding reliable and accountable cleaning services. Nevertheless, with committed service providers who possess expertise in cleaning techniques and prioritize environmental safety, households can achieve and uphold the cleanliness standards they aspire to, fostering healthier living environments overall.

Image via John Glab

They restated their concerns over the lack of waste management and the city putting blame of the issue on the unhoused and using so as justification for their continued displacement. “They want to make it as difficult as possible to live there. Home owners, businesses, and corporations all come out and get mad about it. One thing we want to come out of this is more respect for those in Iowa City who don’t live in houses.”

When the protest and cleaning effort was over, I was able to interview Maurine Newman and Bennet Brown, a couple, and residents of Iowa city for over a decade. I asked what they thought of the demonstration and if they agreed with the protesters’ statements. “I like the idea. Definitely a positive opinion of getting out and doing something that’s creative and positive,” said Mr. Brown. “I guess the question for me is the choice of throwing this on city hall. I get it, but I might have engaged with or made some demands with a local factory. Our local government kicks ass. All the bike lanes and the buses are free right now. Our local government is taking tax payer money and trying to make us an exemplary city.” Mrs. Newman, a faculty of the biology department of Iowa University, stated I don’t think small government is driving the huge problems we’re having. I think it’s more so large corporations and the federal government.”

One of the attendees, Oro, gave his thoughts saying, “The trash is a huge problem. I often see it when I look around for graffiti and artwork underneath the bridges along the creek.” He also gave his sympathies towards the unhoused who use the creek for shelter with all the sewage that accumulates there, and the harassment they face from the police. Another of the attendees, Joe, stated that the protest is very indicative of the dire global environmental situation. He said, “having a demonstration like this is good, because it reminds us that we can’t lose hope.”

Poster for the protest

The post Protesters Place Trash On City Hall Over Environmental Concerns appeared first on KRUI Radio.