Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Although exact details remain sketchy, the Iowa State Patrol has confirmed to The Iowa Independent that an arrest was made at an Occupy Des Moines demonstration late Sunday night, after demonstrators had been warned that staying on the Capitol grounds past 11 p.m. would constitute trespassing.
No other details were offered by law enforcement, but social media networks and private text messages have been raging throughout the evening as demonstrators prepared for and attempted to deflect a stand off with State Troopers.
According to eye witness reports — again, unconfirmed at this hour by law enforcement — roughly 40 demonstrators, including one juvenile, were taken into custody at the occupation site on the west side of the Capitol in an area that has been referred to as “People’s Park.” It was estimated that more than 200 demonstrators were present, likely the result of an earlier call for “critical mass” to deter removal. Those not taken into custody were apparently provided an opportunity to move their property — tents and so-forth — from the area and on to public land. Many of those unwilling to risk arrest had moved across the street prior to the 11 p.m. deadline.
At least five sources at the scene have stated that those taken into custody are not being cited and released, but will be required to spend the night in jail.
Although the stand-off with the State Patrol was confrontational and often marked with chanting by demonstrators, nearly all accounts indicate it remained non-violent with demonstrators doing what they intended and law enforcement carrying out their orders. Some demonstrators were dragged from the site when they allowed their bodies to go limp.
The Iowa State Patrol was unsure when more details of the incident would be made available.
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