KDSN RADIO News
Congressman Nunn, other Iowa politicians react to Minnesota shooting; protest in Iowa City
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says he’s asked ICE supervisors for a briefing on the rules of engagement for federal agents. Nunn, a Republican from Ankeny, is so far the only member of Iowa’s congressional delegation to comment publicly on Saturday’s shooting in Minneapolis. Nunn says loss of life in America is always a tragedy, and leaders, law enforcement, and local communities are reeling. Nunn says all have an obligation to de-escalate as investigations proceed.
Two Democrats competing for a chance to challenge Nunn’s re-election in November say what’s happening in Minnesota is not making the country safer. Sarah Trone Garriott says there needs to be an independent investigation, and Jennifer Konfrst says it’s time for Congress to demand accountability. The three Democrats running for the U-S Senate posted statements online after Saturday’s shooting.
Josh Turek of Council Bluffs met his wife while playing in a professional wheelchair basketball league in Europe, and while she is now a U.S. citizen, Turek says families like his are living in fear of the government. “My wife is an Afro-Latina immigrant, and my mother-in-law is here on a Visa and does not even speak English,” Turek said. “…This is the United States of America, and this is absolutely unacceptable,” Turek says, federal authorities are making the situation in Minneapolis worse and less safe.
Zach Wahls of Coralville says Congress needs to do its job and stop the chaos. “I don’t think there’s a single person who can look at the video…and think what happened on the streets of Minnesota was appropriate or the right thing to do,” Wahls said. “It has to stop.” Nathan Sage of Knoxville says it’s time to pull federal agents out of Minneapolis, take the masks off, and hold those responsible accountable. And one of the Republican candidates for governor posted a statement on social media this weekend.
Adam Steen says as governor, he would fully cooperate with ICE’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants. About 300 people gathered in downtown Iowa City on Sunday for what was called an emergency protest against immigration and customs enforcement. Lily Froehlich is a student at the University of Iowa.”I was just devastated by the fact that we have gotten to this point as a country where we’re excusing this, where we’re seeing this man who spent his life helping veterans, helping others, helping a woman who had been tear gassed, and we have members of our community saying that this is something that’s not a problem,” she said.
About a hundred people held a candlelight vigil in downtown Cedar Rapids last (Sunday) night.
.png)