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Iowa City community rallies against state law that criminalizes ‘illegal reentry’ into state

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Iowa City community rallies against state law that criminalizes ‘illegal reentry’ into state


More than 250 Iowa City community members joined several other gatherings across the state Wednesday, May 1 to rally against a state law that criminalizes “illegal reentry” into Iowa.

The bill, Senate File 2340, passed through the Senate in March and was signed into law in April. It bars anyone who has been previously deported from the United States from entering or attempting to enter the state. It mirrors a Texas law that remains blocked by the courts.

Many people held up signs during the rally in College Green Park, chanting in Spanish and proudly displaying flags from various countries in Central and South America. The demonstrators eventually marched through downtown Iowa City.

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Rallies were also held Wednesday night in Davenport, Waterloo and Des Moines.

More: Iowa Senate votes to criminalize ‘illegal reentry’ into state, mirroring halted Texas law

Supporters encouraged by local turnout

Manny Gálvez said he was happy to see Iowa City’s Latino, Black, and white communities come together during the rally.

“I feel like no matter what the governor says every day, that we are criminals, we are drug dealers,” Gálvez said. “She’s lying. She’s using us.”

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The demonstrators marched along major downtown streets as police halted traffic, chanting “Un pueblo unido, jamás será vencido,” which translates to “A people united will never be defeated,” and “Somos familias, no somos criminales,” meaning “We are families, we’re not criminals.”

More: Hakes: Driving across U.S. in a 1924 Model T? Two local men are on 100th anniversary team

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Hundreds from Iowa City community rally against ‘illegal reentry’ law

Hundreds of members of the Iowa City community rallied together on Wednesday night against a state law criminalizing “illegal reentry” into the state.

Demonstrators held up signs in English and Spanish, reading “No human is illegal,” “Love one another” and “Mas amor,” or “More love.”

One young child held up a sign that read, “I need my family.”

The march brought demonstrators to the Iowa City City Hall, where they received a proclamation from Mayor Bruce Teague.

Teague said he stands in unity with everyone who participated in the protest and said none of the local community members he has talked to “has the same desires” as those in the statehouse.

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“We are working because we want a bright future,” Gálvez said. “Not just for today, but for the future of all the children. And what the governor is doing right now is sending this message (about) who has the right to have a future and who doesn’t.”

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.



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Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident

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Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident


SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two suspects in the incident at the Lyon County, Iowa, courthouse were arrested in Spearfish, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post earlier Saturday.

The sheriff’s office identified two suspects as Brandon Lyle High Pipe, 39, and Luciano Eliseo Sanchez, 18, in a social media post on Thursday. Nationwide warrants were issued for the two suspects.

The sheriff’s office said on Tuesday the courthouse had burglarized overnight. The damage inside includes writing on walls, broken glass, tipped-over Christmas trees and other items tossed around.

The incident caused the courthouse to be closed for at least one day.

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The sheriff’s office said on Saturday morning that more information should be released later.



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Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests

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Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Grace Fincham led the West High girls to a second-half comeback in a 60-51 win over City High, giving the Trojans a win on their rival’s home floor.

The Trojans improve to 6-2 with the win. The Little Hawks drop to 6-2.

In the boys’ nightcap, the Little Hawks’ comeback attempt fell short, as the Trojans held on for a 53-51 win.

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Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan

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Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan


The loss of LeVar Woods, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ long-time, elite special teams coordinator, cannot be dismissed. The Hawkeyes have consistently been among the nation’s best special teams units, from punting to kicking to owning the return and field position battle.

With LeVar Woods departing Iowa for Big Ten foe, the Michigan State Spartans, the Hawkeyes have a big hole to fill, and head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke to the media this week on what that succession plan may look like.

“Yeah, it’s not a light decision. The trick will be to find the next LeVar Woods. He’s done a fantastic job. He didn’t have the profile necessarily maybe at that point to predict what he was going to do, but he’s done all the work. It’s like a good player; players do the work. LeVar has done a great job immersing himself and learning every aspect and then growing with each and every turn. So I guess I’m describing what we’re looking for, a guy who’s a good coach, who’s eager to take a challenge on, and immerse themselves in that world.

“Special teams is a unique niche, if you will. I’m sure we’ll have good candidates. It’s not pressing right now in my mind. What is pressing is the next two weeks getting ready for the game, and then after that we’ll have eight plus weeks or eight plus months actually to get it right. I don’t plan on waiting until August to fill it, but we’ll figure that out when we get in the new year,” Ferentz said about LeVar Woods.

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The past few seasons, Iowa has been elite on special teams with kicker Drew Stevens being incredibly consistent, the punting game flipping fields, and the run of returners consisting of Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaden Wetjen.

The Hawkeyes have won more than their fair share of games relying on this unit, and to continue that success, Ferentz needs to hit on this hire.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7





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