CCI Statement on DMPD Officers Civil Lawsuit Against Council Person Sheumaker

News broke today that two Des Moines Police Officers filed a civil lawsuit against Des Moines Councilperson Indira Sheumaker and five other people for allegedly interfering with police at a 2020 protest demonstration at our state Capitol to restore felon voting rights.

If you remember the 2020 uprisings after the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, here in Iowa you'll recall it was the police who used tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang grenades to assault protesters, not the other way around.

The motive and implications of this lawsuit should be of grave concern. To be clear, this action is part of a playbook meant to suppress the voices and power Black, Indigenous and other people of color movements.

We won't sit back and let individual police officers target and demonize protestors - many of the whom have who have also stood with CCI members at city council meetings for racial justice, clean water, and workers rights.

As a black councilwoman, Indira is a much-needed voice for the people. We support Indira. The community is counting on her voice and her vote on many of our important issues coming before the city council.

As a community, we're watching. Our police officers shouldn’t be filing vindictive and frivolous lawsuits. They should be joining in conversation with our communities about how they can better serve us with care and respect.

The Des Moines City Manager and some council members continue to stall on our commonsense measures - investigating the DMPD, creating a citizen review board, and mandating data collection and disclosure for all traffic stops. This lawsuit against Indira will accomplish nothing to better our community.

Our issues are big here in Iowa. Amid an economic and public health crisis, Governor Reynolds and her legislature worked to pass racist bills to stop teachers from teaching students that this country's history is rooted in systemic racism and slavery. And, they passed more voter suppression and a "Back the Blue" bill that criminalizes dissent and protest and threatens community safety in real ways.

These measures hurt all of us -- all except those in the highest positions of power. Everyone's voting rights have been diminished, and everyone's freedom of speech and safety has been threatened.

Frivolous lawsuits and fear tactics won't stop our fight to hold police departments and elected leaders accountable. And we will not waver in our belief that in our communities everyone - no matter our race, neighborhood, background, or genders - deserves to feel safe in their homes and community, and free to exist without the threat of discrimination or police violence.

Now is the opportunity for political and moral courage from everyone, because when we come together we have the power to make our communities vibrant, safe, and thriving.