Iowa governor signs 'Back the Blue' bill that increases penalties for protest-related crimes

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the “Back the Blue” bill into law on Thursday, increasing penalties for protest-related crimes.

Reynolds said those who riot, loot or attack officers "will be punished to the full extent of the law. The public peace is too important, and the safety of our officers too precious, to tolerate destructive behavior."  "The public peace is too important, and the safety of our officers too precious, to tolerate destructive behavior." The law makes rioting a felony rather than a misdemeanor and increases penalties for blocking streets, according to KCCI.