protests

Protest movements have been part of American history since before the United States was founded. In this episode, we hear from historians Ashley Howard, Amy Rutenberg and Daniel K. Williams about three different and powerful protest movements in U.S. history — the civil rights movement, anti-war movement during the Vietnam War and the anti-abortion movement. We’ll also talk about the strengths, weaknesses, successes and failures of these movements.

The killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis have captured the nation's attention, but immigrant rights advocates in Iowa want Iowans to look closer to home. This hour, a conversation about the rights of immigrants and legal observers. Jose Yugar-Cruz joins, an immigrant from Bolivia who was recently released after a year and a half of illegal detention, talks about his experience through an interpreter. Then, attorney Lucas Asbury and community organizer Maria Acosta of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice join the conversation to talk about the rights individuals have when they're approached, arrested or detained by ICE, as well as the rights of those who choose to act as legal observers.

Hundreds gathered in downtown Iowa City over the weekend to mourn the death of Alex Pretti, the second Minnesota resident shot and killed by federal immigration enforcement officials this year. Many said they were horrified, disgusted and angered by what they saw in videos of the shooting.

Students across the country took part in the “Free America Walkout” on Tuesday to protest recent ICE actions in Minneapolis. In Sioux City, where the school district is one of the most diverse in the state, a large group gathered outside North High School.

Across the country last weekend, people demonstrated at “No Kings” rallies to protest President Trump’s agenda. Even in parts of Iowa that Trump won by a wide margin had hundreds show up to voice their objections.

Blind Iowans marched outside of the Iowa Department for the Blind in Des Moines Tuesday as they protested changes to a state program that prepares people with impaired vision to live independently.