DES MOINES, Iowa - Governor Kim Reynolds says there needs to be systemic change to root out inequality and racism in Iowa.
She was joined by Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert, state Representative Ako Abdul-Samad and other community activists for a news conference Monday afternoon.
The joint address came after three straight nights of protests over the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis Police turned violent with Des Moines Police deploying tear gas.
The governor and the community activists agreed the majority of protesters have been peaceful. They also condemned the looting and vandalism that occurred all three nights.
Representative Ako Abdul-Samad said the protests could have been worse, but were properly handled by local officials.
The news conference was held on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol, where police and protesters clashed over the weekend.