Iowa settles with Black Lives Matter protesters banned from Capitol

The Iowa State Appeal Board on Monday voted to settle a lawsuit with five Black Lives Matter protesters who alleged constitutional rights violations when they were banned from the state Capitol.

The board approved a recommendation to pay Jalesha Johnson, Louise Bequeaith, Haley Jo Dikkers, Brad Penna and Brandi Ramus $5,000 each and their attorney $45,000. The state also agreed to withdraw the bans to step foot on Capitol grounds.

The group was among 17 protesters who were arrested by Des Moines police on charges of disorderly conduct or assault at the state Capitol in July. The protesters then received letters from the Iowa State Patrol telling them they were banned from the Capitol grounds for up to a year due to a trespassing statute in state law.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa then filed a lawsuit, alleging that the ban blocked the individuals’ right to free speech, assembly, right to petition their government, freedom of movement and due process, ABC noted. 

In addition to the payment and removal of the Capitol grounds ban for the protesters, the Iowa Department of Public Safety agreed to continue training its officers assigned to the Capitol on First Amendment-related issues, The Associated Press reported.

The news comes after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill into law in June that will increase the punishment for protest-related crimes and strengthen legal protections for law enforcement.