(Radio Iowa) – A rare scene on the Iowa Capitol steps this (Friday) afternoon. Surrounded by nearly every state legislator and a few dozen Black Lives Matter protesters, Iowa’s governor signed a police reform bill into law.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bipartisan legislation Friday, June 12, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa banning most police chokeholds and addressing officer misconduct. The signing took place one week after a group of Democratic lawmakers and activists stood in a similar spot, outlining demands to address police violence following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Olivia Sun/The Des Moines Register via AP)

The bill unanimously passed the House and Senate last (Thursday) night in a matter of hours. It prevents police with a record of serious misconduct from being hired by an Iowa law enforcement agency and bars police from using choke holds. Governor Reynolds began her remarks by saying George Floyd’s death in police custody opened the eyes of a nation and had sparked a movement.

Reynolds says the bill is historic, but just the first step to systemic change.

As Reynolds signed the bill, protesters chanted “black lives matter” and one of them held up a black power poster.

After the ceremony concluded, the protesters danced on the steps of the statehouse to one of gospel singer Kirk Franklin’s biggest hits: Revolution.