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Associated Press
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man drove past an abortion rights group in Cedar Rapids in June and hit a woman before driving away. faces two criminal charges, said court documents posted online Wednesday.
Swisher's David Alan Huston, 53, has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (vehicle) and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, according to court documents.
Black said Hawk County Attorney Brian Williams said in a statement that there was no evidence to suggest the crash was politically motivated. He said there was also no evidence that protesters acted aggressively.
Houston did not immediately return a message Wednesday seeking comment on the charges. Online court records did not yet list his attorney.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision to legalize abortion, a group organized by Indivisible Iowa and the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa held an abortion trial before federal court in Cedar Rapids. was protesting in favor of access to. Nationwide.
Iowa law prohibits abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy. In June, the state Supreme Court overturned an earlier ruling that Iowa's constitution guaranteed abortion rights, paving the way for tougher restrictions. The Republican governor has promised through the courts to reinstate the previously blocked six-week ban.
Video of the June 24 clash showed demonstrators crossing the street. A large pickup truck drove through the group while other vehicles were waiting to cross, Williams said in a statement. Protesters tried to stop the pickup by blocking its path, resulting in one woman being beaten. Court documents do not indicate the extent of her injuries.
Houston "subsequently left the scene without attempting to exchange information," court documents state.
Although the crash occurred in Lynn County, prosecutors asked the judge to move the case to Black Hawk County because of a potential conflict of interest.
