Lang
5/5/23
A second suspect has been charged in connection with a protest last month at the Iowa Memorial Union.
University of Iowa Police say 53-year-old Robert Ehl of Blazing Star Drive was part of a group of protestors intentionally blocking the corner of Jefferson and Madison Streets just before 8:15pm on April 19th. The group was protesting a speech in the IMU Main Ballroom by conservative commentator Matt Walsh. Ehl and others reportedly locked hands and refused to let traffic through the intersection, despite requests to move from UI Police and administrators. When one car started to get through, Ehl reportedly left the car he was helping block to help block the other car.
Police say Ehl admitted to consuming two shots of alcohol prior to the protest. He was arrested and charged with two counts of Disorderly Conduct – Obstructing a Street or Sidewalk. If convicted, he faces a maximum of two years in jail.
As KCJJ first reported on Friday, a second suspect, 23-year-old Parker Winer of South Summit Street, was charged with Making a False Report to a Public Entity and Disorderly Conduct – Obstructing a Street or Sidewalk after allegedly blocking traffic on Market Street during the protest, then sneaking into the IMU in disguise and pulling a fire alarm during Walsh’s speech.