3 protesters arrested at Iowa Capitol during Moms for Liberty event

Iowa State Patrol arrested three people inside the Iowa Capitol Wednesday during a protest denouncing President Donald Trump's policies and Project 2025.

Those arrested were escorted out of the Iowa Capitol and charged with interference with official acts after Iowa State Patrol officers said protesters who were chanting, including yelling "Nazis," became especially loud.

The protest was one of 50 planned protests Wednesday in cities across the country organized by the 50501 Movement — 50 states, 50 protests, one day — and Political Revolution.

The demonstration started at noon outside of the Capitol with hundreds participating. After the outside demonstration dissipated, a smaller group of protesters moved inside the Capitol, where the conservative group Moms for Liberty was hosting an event.

The Iowa State Troopers arrested two of the protest's organizers with B------ Get Stuff Done: Heaven Chamberlain, 29, and Heather Ryan, 52, and protester Bryan Guyer, 19. Ryan has previously run for Iowa House and U.S. Congress.

Each was charged with interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor, and released on a $300 bond. All three protesters arrested will appear in court on Feb. 13 at the Polk County Courthouse.

According to a criminal complaint, protesters were told they couldn't enter the Capitol's rotunda because of a scheduled Moms for Liberty event. After several warnings, the complaint says Department of Administrative Services Director Adam Steen told Lt. Brian Moses that the group needed to be removed from the Capitol building.

The complaint says some protesters ignored the order and tried to push through a line of Iowa State Patrol Officers.

One of the Iowans charged, Ryan, posted a TikTok Wednesday recounting the protesters' experience getting arrested. Ryan said the protesters arrested were jailed at the Polk County Jail until later in the evening Wednesday after some individuals donated money to bail them out.

"It was a weird day. I am definitely shaken, but I am not deterred," Ryan said. "I will not let fascism wash over Iowa without a fight."

Republican Iowa lawmakers who spoke at the Moms for Liberty event acknowledged the protesters as they chanted and booed.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Orange City, during the event thanked the protesters and touted legislation he's helped pass that supported Moms for Liberty's agenda.

"We will be No. 1 in education again. We will do it without the help of these guys," he said, referring to the protesters.

Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at sabine.martin@gannett.com or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.