The expected protests from abortion activists blanketed the country Friday, fulfilling the promise of a “night of rage,” but it was pro-life proponents who were smeared as the violent extremists in Iowa after a man reportedly drove his truck through pedestrians in a crosswalk.
With a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court issued its ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturning Roe v. Wade and returning regulatory authority of abortion to the individual states. In response, Indivisible Iowa and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa organized a rally outside the courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where a dramatic scene unfurled, KWWL reported.
Multiple videos of the incident were shared online wherein the driver was described as “plowing” through the crowd and “running down” peaceful protesters. Two individuals can be seen running backward in front of the truck with their hands on the hood as a crowd swarmed around it continuing to drive down the street.
A truck driver plowed through multiple pro-choice protesters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, sending at least one woman to the hospital.
Video provided by Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker shows several victims — all women — trying to stop the driver as he careens into them pic.twitter.com/jcGTcfcK8X
— Andy Campbell (@AndyBCampbell) June 25, 2022
Here is some more video of the incident at the protest. Protestors are sharing the video and pictures with me. pic.twitter.com/1HWHqIasfQ
— Lyz Lenz (@lyzl) June 25, 2022
This a video of a truck running down two peaceful protesters at a pro-abortion march in Cedar Rapids, Iowa pic.twitter.com/UX7xZfu8VU
— Lyz Lenz (@lyzl) June 25, 2022
Alexis Russell, 30, can be seen in the videos as the woman in the white top at the driver’s window. She spoke with the Daily Mail and recounted her view of the altercation.
“I was standing on a sidewalk facing the road. So as soon as I saw it I didn’t even hesitate,” she explained. “I ran over there, tried to grab the steering wheel. I was like – what the hell are you doing? You are literally hurting these people. They are doing nothing,” she said.
Cedar Rapids City Councilmember Ashley Vanorny reported to KWWL, “As we were getting this quite large crowd across the legal pedestrian crosswalk, somebody in a large truck decided to jump the line that they were in, and essentially plow into the rest of the pedestrians that were walking.”
Russell went on to contend the driver, “grabbed my sign through the window and ripped it. I reached in for the steering wheel, and he grabbed my sign, but didn’t hold onto it so I have both pieces.”
“There was another girl alongside of me – I didn’t know her – her foot got run over. She was traumatized,” Russell went on but added, “She declined an ambulance. But she couldn’t put weight on it, she was bawling.”
Cedar Rapids Police confirmed to KWWL that one person had been injured in the incident and detailed, “Verbal confrontation started between protesters and truck driver, leading to a pedestrian getting hit.”
As the investigation is ongoing, the motivation of the driver remains unclear and it remains to be seen whether or not Iowa’s legal protections for drivers trapped during protests would apply. However, Vanorny admitted that there was no reason to believe the driver opposed the protesters’ message.
“I don’t have any information that they were doing this because of anything regarding our protests today or March throughout town. They just seem to be impatient and had, in my opinion, blatant disregard for human life.”
Meanwhile, actual violent protests took place across the country with at least 25 arrests made in New York City overnight where vandalism took place and tear gas was reportedly deployed against protestors in Arizona as an attempt to breach the State Senate building was made.
Mass arrested during pro choice protest in NYC. #RoeVsWade #NYC pic.twitter.com/8rU6JdFpXJ
— Viral News NY (@ViralNewsNYC) June 25, 2022
In Seattle, Antifa was said to be among the crowds and was reportedly attempting to smash the windows of buildings as they marched down the street.
Seattle: #Antifa used emergency car window breakers to try to smash glass on buildings during the pro-abortion protest. Notice the NLG legal representative in green marching with them. pic.twitter.com/vvI7cuXRn1
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 25, 2022
In Los Angeles, protesters were witnessed surrounding officers and hurling objects at them before fireworks were set off in the street.
Protesters surround a group of police officers and yell at them to go home and throw liquids on them. Police use batons and chase protesters down. pic.twitter.com/4GdP5XhGxG
— Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) June 25, 2022
Protests in Texas have died down a bit, but protests in LA and NYC have turned unlawful… a firework was set off and fences were knocked down in downtown LA a few minutes ago, and multiple arrests were made at a protest in NYC. #RoeVsWade
Video Credit: 1st Responders Media pic.twitter.com/oWSgDK7MRL
— Texas LIVE (@_Texas_LIVE_) June 25, 2022
An incident in LA also presented a case for why a driver would be concerned when a roadway is interrupted by protesters as the freeway was blocked and vehicles were allegedly attacked for refusing to comply with their demands.
Los Angeles: Pro-abortion protesters shut down the freeway & use sticks to attack drivers who won’t stop. #RoeVWade
Video by @AnthonyCabassa_: pic.twitter.com/oPaNCjPely
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 25, 2022
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell issued a statement that read in part, “The Cedar Rapids Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation into tonight’s incident. We all have a right to our opinions, but we must act in a peaceful and respectful manner.”
KWWL reported that the driver had voluntarily participated in an interview conducted by the authorities Friday night.
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