Des Moines BLM turns focus to getting people registered to vote
The Des Moines Black Lives Matter group said the executive order to restore voting rights to those with felonies is only a small step and didn't want to thank Gov. Kim Reynolds for signing the order.
"I'm not going to thank Kim Reynolds," said Jaylen Cavil, with Des Moines BLM.
The group listed the executive order as one of its demands for months now and worked with the Governor's Office to put it into works. Before the Black Lives Matter movement, community leaders like state Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad and Rep. Betty Andrews had been working for years with lawmakers to reach this conclusion.
"And as we work to address issues of racial disparities, we cannot ignore how negatively and significantly the current process has impacted the lives of so many Iowans of color," Reynolds said.
BLM organizers said they feel slighted they weren't invited to the signing of the executive order Wednesday morning. That's why they held their own rally Wednesday evening at Evelyn K. Davis Park.
"I think Kim Reynolds know that was kind of foul to not let us know," said Matthew Bruce, with BLM.
Bruce has been the face of the Des Moines BLM group since late May. He said BLM's new focus will be turned on registering those newly eligible voters before election day.
"Now we know, okay, these are exactly the number of people who can get registered to vote. These are the people we need to get registered to vote," Bruce said.
Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald told KCCI he doesn't expect any hiccups in the metro when it comes to registration, but in rural counties it could be a tougher process. Some auditor offices are closed now due to the pandemic and only seeing people by appointment.
All that's left to do is act and get as many people in the process from now until November," Bruce said.