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Fellow Iowans, you should be particularly concerned with the events that unfolded this week. The extremism in our state is rearing its ugly head. Here are a few examples:
It was discovered that one of the first men to rush the Capitol was Doug Jensen, a resident of Des Moines. He has since been arrested. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2021/01/09/fbi-arrests-des-moines-man-who-us-capitol-riot-booked-into-polk-county-jail-washington-dc/6607953002/
While the invasion of the US Capitol took place, the Henry County Republican Party posted an alarming message on their Facebook, encouraging their followers to remain "locked and loaded." https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/local-politics/henry-county-iowa-gop-stay-locked-and-loaded-post-us-capitol-riots-electoral-college-results-donald-trump-joe-biden/524-0b2e30d9-4e9e-4140-ac8f-7a2fec2b7a24
On Friday, the Iowa Democratic Party was forced to close its headquarters after staff received a death threat following the events in Washington. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/08/iowa-democratic-party-closes-headquarters-following-death-threat-us-capitol/6605024002/
Then today we learn that a man who intentionally drove through a group of Black Lives Matter protestors in Iowa City will avoid prison. https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/man-who-drove-into-crowd-of-iowa-city-racial-justice-protesters-avoids-prison-20210108
Our state's leaders have been complicit in allowing hate to go unchecked these last four years. They have welcomed Trump and his rhetoric for their own political gain. Now more than ever, we must speak up and speak out.
Speaking of state leaders, Bryan Arzani, mayor of Truro, IA participated in the riots on Wednesday. In describing his fellow domestic terrorists, he said, "It was really a great group." https://amp.desmoinesregister.com/amp/6583077002?__twitter_impression=true
Another really important story got lost in the bigger news of the week, so reupping. GOP leaders in the state legislature did not rule out undermining our state's praised nonpartisan redistricting process to help draw more favorable Republican districts. https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/gop-legislative-leaders-talk-election-laws-redistricting-education-policy-20210107
