Iowa City community rallies against state law that criminalizes 'illegal reentry' into state

More than 250 Iowa City community members joined several other gatherings across the state Wednesday, May 1 to rally against a state law that criminalizes "illegal reentry" into Iowa.

The bill, Senate File 2340, passed through the Senate in March and was signed into law in April. It bars anyone who has been previously deported from the United States from entering or attempting to enter the state. It mirrors a Texas law that remains blocked by the courts.

Many people held up signs during the rally in College Green Park, chanting in Spanish and proudly displaying flags from various countries in Central and South America. The demonstrators eventually marched through downtown Iowa City.

Rallies were also held Wednesday night in Davenport, Waterloo and Des Moines.

More: Iowa Senate votes to criminalize 'illegal reentry' into state, mirroring halted Texas law

Supporters encouraged by local turnout

Manny Gálvez said he was happy to see Iowa City's Latino, Black, and white communities come together during the rally.

"I feel like no matter what the governor says every day, that we are criminals, we are drug dealers," Gálvez said. "She's lying. She's using us."

The demonstrators marched along major downtown streets as police halted traffic, chanting "Un pueblo unido, jamás será vencido," which translates to "A people united will never be defeated," and "Somos familias, no somos criminales," meaning "We are families, we're not criminals."

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Demonstrators held up signs in English and Spanish, reading "No human is illegal," "Love one another" and "Mas amor," or "More love."

One young child held up a sign that read, "I need my family."

The march brought demonstrators to the Iowa City City Hall, where they received a proclamation from Mayor Bruce Teague.

Teague said he stands in unity with everyone who participated in the protest and said none of the local community members he has talked to "has the same desires" as those in the statehouse.

"We are working because we want a bright future," Gálvez said. "Not just for today, but for the future of all the children. And what the governor is doing right now is sending this message (about) who has the right to have a future and who doesn't."

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City community rallies against state's 'illegal reentry' law