Lang
6/9/20
One of the leaders of recent protests in Iowa City has now been charged with vandalizing University of Iowa property.
20-year-old Mazin Mohamedali of South Linn Street had already been charged Monday with Unlawful Assembly, Disorderly Conduct and a probation violation. Those charges stemmed from his part in a protest that blocked portions of Dubuque Street and Foster Road last Wednesday. Iowa City Police say members of the group spray painted, defaced and caused property damage to roadways, street signs and buildings.
Online records show Mohamedali now faces charges of 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief, 5th Degree Criminal Mischief and Trespassing after protesters defaced UI property. It is not clear if the charges are related to vandalism at Kinnick Stadium, the Old Capitol, or both. Protesters have spray-painted both locations since the Iowa City protests began on June 1st.
Probation revocation documents indicate Mohamedali was found with LSD on his person upon his Monday arrest. The Department of Corrections also cites as a violation a Daily Iowan story in which Mohamedali was quoted as saying protesters shouldn’t face off with police until they were “more prepared”, and that they should be “ready for war”.
Mohamedali is on probation after a 2nd Degree Robbery conviction in 2018 after robbing the Mormon Trek Boulevard Kum & Go at knifepoint. That charge was pleaded down from 1st Degree Robbery.
Mohamedali is also awaiting trial on a felony drug charge from earlier this year.
Mohamedali is one of the leaders of the group Iowa Freedom Riders, who has helped lead recent protests in Iowa City following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.