Hawkeye Reporter

Police are investigating an incident last week where a Zoom meeting hosted by Black Iowa legislators was hacked by an unknown entity who used images of a monkey, swastikas and the "n-word" to disrupt the event.

Black Iowa News reported that Democratic Party Black Caucus was a host of the Des Moines People’s Condition of the State that was virtually attended by a large amount of the public, as well as several Black members of the legislature. The meeting was held to discuss the important of public participation and how people can be active in the legislative process. The Zoom bombs began when State Rep. Phyllis Thede was making a presentation and an image of a monkey flashed on the screen. Iowa legislators were taken aback by the incident.

When the incident occurred Thede said it was “absolutely awful” and apologized but continued with her presentation.

“That’s why it’s crucial all Iowans speak up and hold those accountable for bigoted actions and statements,” tweeted State Rep. Ross Wilburn, who was in the meeting and is also the Democratic Party chair. “No matter what we look like or how we got here, we’re all Iowans at the end of the day and should treat each other with dignity and respect.”

The report by Black Iowa News added that this incident is not a sole occurrence in the state of Iowa as last year Wilburn received threats that included lynching and the use of the "n-word" after he wrote an opinion piece that criticized Iowa's Republican Party and former President Donald Trump leading up to a rally in October.

There was another meeting in February hosted by Iowa Democratic Black Caucus Chair Al Womble that was Zoom bombed by someone who used the n-word and “white power.”

KCCI reported that in 2021 a town hall held by Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad and Rep. Marty Anderson was also interrupted. In 2020, there were racist images and words on a screen during a meeting with the Des Moines Civil Rights Commission, as well.

“It’s disturbing, but it’s not going to stop us from continuing to do our work — organize, inform and mobilize people into action,” Womble told the Des Moines Register.

Rep. Ras Smith was attending the most recent, along with fellow legislators Thede, Wilburn and Womble, according to the Des Moines Register.

Womble is reportedly turning a recording of the meeting over to the West Des Moines Police Department. Black Iowa News reported that Thede described the incident as a hate crime. Wilburn was also taken back by the event and released a statement about the incident.

“What happened last night was an appalling attempt to intimidate and silence Black voices in Iowa,” Wilburn said in a statement. “Unfortunately, these despicable experiences of harassment are far too common for Black Iowans. That’s why it’s crucial all Iowans speak up and hold those accountable for bigoted actions and statements.”