A protest happened last week at the Iowa Capitol building and one local lawmaker witnessed parts of the event.

District 24 Senator Jesse Green says last Thursday he met with several law enforcement officers, including Iowa State Patrol Troopers, about the legislature’s Back the Blue bill, which provides additional protection for law enforcement with a primary focus on interactions with protests. Then in the afternoon Green started hearing a few people gather outside the Capitol for a Black Lives Matter protest, which then went inside.

“They were walking up to the T.V. screens and just saying their speel, but ‘Look at these legislators, see how they vote. Make sure you write down their addresses and to make your voice heard.’ One of the saddest moments was I saw a state trooper down below that they were just screaming at him and they had him cornered. My heart just went out to him.”  

Green points out part of the Back to Blue bill includes qualified immunity for law enforcement, which he says allows for certain protections for police from “frivolous lawsuits.”

“In light of what happened this past year our law enforcement needs to be treated better and treated with respect. They shouldn’t have to serve and be scared that they’re going to be constantly worried about frivolous lawsuits over things that shouldn’t be thrown their way.”

Green adds the bill continues to be considered by the House, but he suspected that after Thursday protests, which sources say ended with one person being arrested, would be passed by the House soon.