Des Moines mayor Frank Cownie said today the city will review video of Monday’s city council meeting to decide if citations should be issued to protestors and supporters of Des Moines Black Lives Matter after their “disruptive” behavior prevented the city from conducting its business.
“It was frustrating and disappointing to see the actions displayed in our city council chambers,” Cownie said. “Our return to in-person meetings after a 460-day COVID absence was marred by disruptive and alarming behavior exhibited toward the council members and our city staff. Finally, we had no choice but to recess our meeting to this morning.”
Cownie said those who displayed “such extreme behavior” may receive citations.
“We will work closely with the Polk County Attorney’s office as we move ahead to accomplish the residents’ business at our next meeting,” he said. “While we welcome germane comments at the appropriate time during our meeting, the actions of the disrupters on Monday night was to intentionally prevent and disrupt the council from doing the peoples’ business. These are business meetings and we’re going to use every legal method necessary to get our city’s business done and to hold those who intentionally interfere with that objective accountable under the law.”
