Lang/Hunter
8/30-31/20
A self-proclaimed member of the Iowa Freedom Riders was arrested Saturday for allegedly
spray-painting the Old Capitol during a Friday demonstration on the Pentacrest, and police
arrested another protester as IFR members were gathering for a Sunday march.
University of Iowa Police say video footage and officers on the scene confirm 18-year-old Logan
Creach of Kirkwood Avenue spray-painted the Old Capitol at approximately 9:10 Friday night. The estimated damage exceeds $1,500.
Creach, whose Facebook page identifies him as a member of the Iowa Freedom Riders, was booked into the Johnson County Jail just before 3:30 Saturday afternoon and charged with 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.
The Daily Iowan reports that the man arrested Sunday night was identified as 18-year-old Luke Beckner, also charged with 2nd degree criminal mischief. Freedom Rider Raneem Hamad told the crowd of protesters that Beckner is the third protester to be arrested after police viewing of video footage.
The DI says police protected the Old Capitol building as protesters marched from the Pentacrest through downtown Iowa City to Highway 6 and back again. Protesters used umbrellas and handmade posters to shield each other as they used spray paint to tag businesses, apartments and streets for the third straight night.
The march stopped at the County Attorney’s office as Freedom Riders told protesters to call County Attorney Janet Lyness and demand that all charges against Iowa City protesters be dropped. The group also has urged members to attend Tuesday’s Iowa City City Council meeting and demand the release of a video that Mayor Bruce Teague and councilor Mazahir Salih say shows footage of the State Patrol calling for the use of tear gas during protests on June 3rd.
The Iowa Freedom Riders have received criticism on social media for going back on a pledge to not spray-paint property during protests. The group had spray-painted the Old Capitol during earlier protests in June. The estimated cost to the University of Iowa for cleanup was over $1 million.
The fourth nightly protest in a row is scheduled for 7pm Monday, starting at the Pentacrest.