Hunter
05/05/23
A University of Iowa staffer was arrested after she allegedly attempted to disrupt an appearance by a conservative commentator at the Iowa Memorial Union last month.
Police say 23-year-old Parker Winer attended the presentation featuring Matt Walsh April 19th, with over 900 others in attendance in the main ballroom of the Union. Winer reportedly arrived in street clothes, but donned a disguise before entering the event with other patrons.
She’s then accused of leaving the presentation about 21 minutes into Walsh’s talk and pulling a fire alarm before fleeing the facility.
University of Iowa Police received the fire alarm activation, and were joined by a fire safety official to the pull station location. The fire alarm system was being monitored for fraudulent activation because of the controversial commentator’s appearance, and as a result the alarms did not go off.
Winer allegedly re-entered the building when she saw patrons were not evacuating.
Winer also reportedly was seen on video surveillance on West Market Street, linking arms with other co-defendants to prevent vehicles from passing. She and the others resisted requests from bystanders to move, and only did so when police physically intervened.
A warrant was issued for Winer’s arrest on Monday; she was arrested Wednesday and released on her own recognizance with an arraignment to be held at a later date. She’s been charged with False Report to a Public Entity and Disorderly Conduct by Obstructing a Street. If convicted on both counts, Winer could be sentenced to up to 13 months in jail.
