Indira Sheumaker

Indira Sheumaker is a politician and activist currently serving as Ward 1 City Council Member for Des Moines, Iowa.[1] She is the youngest member on the Des Moines City Council.

Indira Sheumaker
Des Moines City Council Member Indira Sheumaker addressing the council
Member of the Des Moines City Council
from the 1st Ward
Assumed office
January 3, 2022
Preceded byBill Gray
Personal details
Born (1994-05-28) 28 May 1994
Des Moines, Iowa
EducationIowa State University
ProfessionPolitician, activist

Early life

Sheumaker was born in Des Moines to a Black American mother and a white American father. She was named in honor of Indira Gandhi. She graduated from Herbert Hoover High School.[2] She was active in theatre while attending Iowa State University.[3]

In 2020, felony charges were brought against Sheumaker related to her participation in a July 1, 2020, protest against felony disenfranchisement at the Iowa State Capitol. Police alleged that Sheumaker assaulted a police officer and interfered with official acts causing serious injury. She faced an additional serious misdemeanor for allegedly assaulting another police officer, getting on his back and putting him in a chokehold.[4] In May 2021, felony charges were dropped against Sheumaker after she accepted an agreement with the state pleading guilty to aggravated misdemeanor assault of a police officer. All other charges against Sheumaker were dropped.[5] On June 30, 2022, two Des Moines police officers filed an assault lawsuit against six protesters, including Sheumaker.[6] Sheumaker countersued in August, accusing officers of putting her in a chokehold and pushing her.[7]

Sheumaker’s countersuit against the officers has since been dismissed by a Polk County judge. The case against Sheumaker is still pending. Video evidence from a local news organization (KCCI) indicates Sheumaker was on the back of one of the officers.

Career

Prior to running for office, Sheumaker was involved as an activist with Des Moines' Black Liberation Movement.[8] It was through her social justice activism and involvement in council meetings at the Des Moines City Council that Sheumaker decided to run for political office. She attended her first city council meeting in 2020 to advocate for an ordinance banning racial profiling.[9]

Des Moines City Council

On 2 November 2021, Sheumaker ousted the two-term incumbent Ward 1 councilman Bill Gray. The race was non-partisan. Sheumaker received 46% of votes, while Gray received 36% of votes. Sheumaker has no previous experience with electoral politics. Her platform included defunding the police, decriminalization of marijuana, food security, affordable housing, the municipalization of city utilities, decentralization of power, and wealth redistribution. She was sworn into office on January 10, 2022.[10][1]

See also

References
  1. "Sheumaker Sworn In As Newest Member of Council". www.dsm.city. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  2. "Rekha Basu: From BLM activist to City Council candidate, Indira Sheumaker is a Des Moines force". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  3. "Cyclone Spotlight: Indira Sheumaker". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  4. Charged with chokehold on officer
  5. "Felony protest-related charges dropped against activist Indira Sheumaker. She pleaded guilty to a lesser offense". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  6. "Des Moines police officers accuse council member of assault in lawsuit over 2020 protests". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  7. "Iowa council member countersues police over protest arrest". Associated Press. August 17, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  8. "Election 2021: Who's running for Des Moines City Council?". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  9. "They joined Black Lives Matter protests in Des Moines, Iowa. It changed their lives". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  10. "Black Lives Matter activist wins in Iowa on a 'defund the police' platform". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
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