IA: New advocacy group emerging in Iowa
Member Submission: My name is Heather Wagner, and I’m a new Iowa contact for NARSOL. I have a passion for fighting the injustices surrounding those who have committed a sex crime, as well as the unfair laws forced upon our Registered Citizens (aka “Sex Offenders”). I have been an advocate on this topic for nearly three years, lending my voice as the first to speak on a sex crime with the criminal justice group FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums) this past May. I have attached my work under my salutation, if interested in learning more about my advocacy. This summer, I, being accompanied by our head Iowa NARSOL representative, Nancy, was blessed to land a meeting with the staff of Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst!
I am reaching out to see who, in Iowa, is interested in making our voices louder for much needed reform. There is upcoming Iowa legislation set to take place next session, which will make the lives of our Registered Citizens even harder, including adding a fourth tier (to prevent being able to exit the registry), along with longer durations added before exiting the registry. Here is a link to view the upcoming legislation: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search?facet.pivot=l1%2Cl2&fq=-status%3AReserved&tc=true%2F&fq=l0%3A%22leg%22&fq=it%3A%22LegislationCurrent%22&q=sex+offenders.
If you’re interested in connecting and “fighting” in Iowa, I will be holding my first zoom meeting on January 12th at 7PM CST (highlighted below is the zoom meeting information). I am hopeful many will show an interest in joining forces for much needed change in Iowa. Feel free to share this email with anyone you think might be interested in this topic as there’s strength in numbers.
Topic: Heather Wagner’s IASOR Advocacy Meeting
Time: Jan 12, 2022 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86949304347?pwd=NVZIZk0ydDhVOUNLbXJ5Tm4vN0JuZz09
Meeting ID: 869 4930 4347
Passcode: 959203
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Meeting ID: 869 4930 4347
Passcode: 959203
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd5S4Cmn9K
Let’s fight together for reform in Iowa,
Heather Wagner
That’s awesome. For Iowa.
Thanks for the info and for your advocacy! I know some people who may be interested in this. Including me.
yes I agree as well interest me cause Im not on been off since 2005
this part is definally double jeopardy
An Act 1modifying sex offender registry requirements by
2requiring sex offenders whose registration requirements have
3expired to reregister, and providing penalties.
4BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
The proposal to create a “Tier IV” registrant has been floating around for several years and hasn’t gone anywhere (yet.) Let’s hope this isn’t the year for that — which would require people who no longer have to register to re-register with their local sheriff’s office (and pay a $25 fee) for a “non-public” registry. I don’t know if this would require folks who have been free of their registration requirement for several years to re-register, but this has to be one of the stupidest registry-related ideas ever hatched.
As a native Midwesterner, I wish this advocacy group in Iowa the best as it spreads the message across the 99 counties in Iowa and gives Des Moines a run for it’s money. Personally I don’t trust Iowa’s senators, but that’s my opinion.
I wish they had a group in Indiana.
It’s not tough to start one!
Yaaaaay! Good for you Heather. Every new chapter helps everyone. I’ve lived in New Mexico for years, but was born in Iowa and have much family there.
Thanks for your advocacy.
You must be a good person. Thanks for being you.
” including adding a fourth tier (to prevent being able to exit the registry), ”
More retroactive BS I am assuming. I went from not having to register, to registering ONCE unless I had changes, to once a year, then two times and now 4 times a year. ALL retroactive since there was no registry in 1991 when my incident took place. None in 1992 when arrested, none in 1993 at sentencing. I was released in 1997 and was told I would have to register, even though it had not even been created when I was sentenced.
Cherokee an advocate is only good as the law they are fighting for. Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in the abundance of counselors the people have victory. And yes an advocate is a counselor as well as other advocates. Yes man can be the author of confusion in many ways.
Many can but isn’t ACLU an advocate well their their when one needs them. Yes many don’t have all the answers. Can we all say who’s right in this government confusion as many have been played on from all across America.
Is registry for community safety, public safety, or a vain vanquish efforts to punish with unethical means and measures or practices. Let true justice ring again or is justice getting a bit more out of hand. Even efforts can be in vain in American government Justice. Should we all say its about computers or how one controls the tongue.Is it all about incriminating subject matter or some court of law distributing blind justice by scrupulous/scandalous means. Even signing papers can be incriminating and intimidating.
If the registry isn’t punishment than why the no off ramps for people and why the increase burdensome restrictions? I’m not a rocket scientist, but I know what punishment looks and feels like and the registry bs is punishment.
Brandon
Brilliant old Chap. “Off ramps”. I love the analogy. But, if we have no off ramps, what do we do if we run out of gas? Maybe that is there plan, for us to “Give up”.
CherokeeJack
If you run out of gas pull a Fred Flintstone using your feet or have people with you that have a lot of hot air to lift you up to the finish line. Giving up is allowing the oppressors win and that isn’t an option for me.
I’d be cautious to get in bed with Senators Grassley and Ernst. Rather have crabgrass in my lawn than deal with those two worthless Senators. Not being pessimistic but don’t be an idiot out wondering around in Iowa. I can sense the hate responses coming my way, but tell me in an articulate way where I’m wrong.
Brandon
Being people required to register, not sure using “Get in bed with” is a good phrase to use.
Afterall, they might see that and say you were making unwanted advances towards them.
As for me, I am so old, my pillows won’t even cuddle with me 🙂
I’m trying to reach out for support. I feel like I’m on a island. I’ve dealt with some cruelty and I don’t understand why people can’t get second chances. People make bad choices we are all human. I don’t have anymore friends due to what I did but I took accountability and have been trying my best to get through all the hurdles. Thanks for hearing me out.