Des Moines Public Schools students stood on the steps of the Iowa Capitol Monday to call on state lawmakers to abandon bills that they said would harm public education in the state.
A couple hundred Des Moines students, parents and supportive community members stood on the steps of the Capitol holding signs that said Public $ for public schools; Ban the bills; and We don t want colonized edu.
The walkout, which began about 1:45 p.m., was organized by DMPS Racial Justice and Equity, a student-led group with staff members to protest two bills under consideration by the Iowa Legislature. The event concluded about 3:25 p.m. after several students spoke against the bills and shared their own experiences.