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Progressive slogans on signs dotted a road along the RAGBRAI route heading into Ayrshire Monday morning as members of Northwest Iowa Progressives, Indivisible and Podunk Resistance took a stand for inclusiveness and against Iowa 4th District Rep. Steve King. (Photo by Colin Van Westen)

Local progressive groups organized a "Sorry for Steve King" RAGBRAI stop Monday morning. The progressive-themed event took place southwest of Ayrshire alongside the RAGBRAI route.

The idea for the campaign originated with Sue Metcalf of Northwest Iowa Progressives. Activists from progressive groups Indivisible and Podunk Resistance soon joined in.

"One of the members said why don't we organize a political action for RAGBRAI and at the time it seemed appropriate to focus on Iowa as a place that welcomes people of color, welcomes whatever religion people belong to, welcomes LGBTQ folks," political activist and organizer Linda DeLaughter said. "We want to be portrayed as a welcoming and inclusive state in the tradition of Robert Ray, former governor who was instrumental in bringing so many refugees to Iowa after the Vietnam conflict was over."

She continued, "The voice and face we want to put forth to our country and to the people here is that is who we are. Our representation in Congress doesn't necessarily represent us, specifically Rep. Steve King who has been an advocate against all of those things and pro white supremacist attitudes. We take exception to that. We don't feel that is the right way to portray us, so our political action coalesced around that message."

The activists handed out water, disposable tattoos and stickers to the RAGBRAI riders as they passed. Raygun of Des Moines provided the "Sorry about Steve King" T-shirts.

"I think it was just mostly a sense of outrage at what is happening in our country." DeLaughter said. "It is just a general sense of outrage and that we feel that we have to step up and be loud and proud about who we are and educate and provide information to people who may be willing to hear that message."

Multiple attempts to reach King's office for comment were unsuccessful.

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Local News: Local progressives protest King (7/24/17) | Spencer ... - Spencer Daily Reporter