Tara McGovern was found not guilty on both charges today.

Once again, there was exceptional news coverage today by Justin K. Comer of Rock Hard Media, Zachary Oren Smith of Iowa Public Radio, and Jack Moore of Daily Iowan.

Thursday March 14 there will be a press conference at Wright House of Fashion at 7 pm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Esteemed members of the press,

Tomorrow at 7:00 PM, at the Wright House of Fashion (910 S Gilbert St., Iowa City), a group of trans protesters including Tara Dutcher (they/them) will be delivering a press conference in the wake of Tara’s recent, precedent-setting acquittal on the charges of Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Official Acts. This press conference will address the following key points:

The increasing attacks on the rights of protesters under Gov. Reynolds’ 2021 Back the Blue Act.

The targeted harassment and arrest of trans protesters at the hands of the Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith and the University of Iowa Police Department.

Tara Dutcher’s retaliatory arrest for repeatedly speaking truth to power and questioning the actions of the Johnson County law enforcement offices.

The treatment of incarcerated trans individuals in the Johnson County Jail.

The UIPD’s acknowledged surveillance of social media accounts of local activists and community members.

The failure of the UIPD to effectively train their officers and detectives on the constitutional rights of protesters.

Following comments by the protesters, there will be a Q&A session.