Queer community demands UI police department's 'dissolution' after Tara Dutcher acquittal

Seven members of the LBGTQ+ community shared a message of “Don’t be silent, be loud and stand with us" during a press conference on Thursday, March 14.

The gathering at the Wright House of Fashion in Iowa City was in response to the not-guilty verdict for transgender, non-binary protestor Tara Dutcher.

Dutcher was acquitted of two charges brought by the state for interference with official acts and disorderly conduct on Wednesday, March 13.

Dutcher thanked their friends in the trans community for their support Thursday and praised their attorney, Des Moines-based Gina Messamer and Johnson County District Court Judge Jason Burns.

Dutcher also addressed a video they took while University of Iowa police officers attempted to clear a road during an October protest, the First Amendment, and advocacy for seven members of the trans community who were charged after the protests.

More: Jury acquits UI protester of disorderly conduct, interference with official acts

Charges filed after October protest on UI campus

The protest was in response to Chloe Cole's appearance at the Iowa Memorial Union last year for an event hosted by the University of Iowa chapter of Young Americans for Freedom. In her Oct. 16 talk to a roughly 150-person crowd, Cole detailed her experience as a “de-transitioned” teenager and her work to stop youth gender transitioning.

More than 100 demonstrators circled the intersection of Madison Street and Jefferson Street during Cole's talk. Police claimed Dutcher and others played a role in blocking the road and resisted police.

Dutcher and several others were arrested nearly a month after the November protest on charges of disorderly conduct and interference with official acts. Dutcher felt authorities specifically singled out some of the protestors.

“This is an unmistakable targeting of the trans community done by the University of Iowa Police Department,” Dutcher said. “We're not going to stop talking about it. It's not going to get less true if we stop talking about it.”

Dutcher was also undecided whether they would seek “due restitution” for the ensuing legal proceedings.

“That question remains open because it's really going to matter how our demands are received (and) whether or not we choose to utilize the leverage that we have available to us.”

More: Johnson County attorney faces censure for charging trans protesters at Chloe Cole event

Group demands ‘dissolution’ of UI Police Department

Emma Denney called for the dissolution of the University of Iowa Police Department during Thursday's press conference. Denney previously said the department had “unchecked power to surveil and arrest members of the community."

“We would also like to see Johnson County and Iowa City institute so-called sanctuary city laws and policies to protect our community from the kinds of violent legislation that the state is trying to impose on us,” Denney said.

Denney was the only October protestor arrested who is currently enrolled at the University of Iowa. Denney took a plea deal in the case and was ordered to pay a $250 fine. They are a Ph.D. candidate and will deliver their dissertation soon.

Denney also local governments to help assist with housing costs for people looking for a safe place to live.

Dutcher suggested that law enforcement "stay away from protests." During their trial and again on Thursday, they said they would avoid any future on-campus protests.

Several other protestors who were arrested in November still have sentencing or trials pending.

More: Nine arrested after chaining themselves to Kinnick Stadium in pro-Palestinian protest

Other speakers involved in ongoing litigation

Izzy Kippes was one of the seven speakers at the event. They shared their experiences with law enforcement in the months following conservative commentator Matt Walsh's visit to the University of Iowa which included being arrested at their University of Iowa job.

In February, a six-person jury found Kippes guilty of fifth-degree criminal mischief, a simple misdemeanor. The state argued that Kippes and a friend had entered the Iowa Memorial Union on the night of the Walsh event and a coinciding protest and dropped backpacks full of marbles on the stairs.

Clara Reynen was one of nine people arrested and charged after chaining themselves to the doors of Kinnick Stadium in December. Reynen recalled “hearing the screams” from her trans friends being "dragged" from the doors by university police officers.

Reynen said she felt she was treated much differently than her friends because they "are visibly transgender."

Reynen also demanded the dissolution of the UI police, saying the department is “not capable of accomplishing their mission which they claim is to ‘foster a safe, supportive and inclusive campus environment.’”

“They claim to ‘provide safety services equally to all members of the community,’ but we know they have no interest or intent to do so," Reynen said.

The University of Iowa Police Department, in response to Thursday's press conference and accusations of targeting, said its officers patrol protests to provide safety.

"The primary goal of law enforcement during demonstrations is to ensure safety and protect free speech for both demonstrators and the community," Office of Campus Safety Chief of Staff Hayley Bruce wrote in an email to the Press-Citizen. "We respect the legal process, will continue to uphold the law, and remain committed to public safety."

More: Fired officer faced no charges after alleged vandalism and ‘threat’ to kill wife

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: After Dutcher acquittal, queer community demands UIPD 'dissolution'