Police say man disrupted Iowa City Gay Pride parade

UPDATE: A Los Angeles man was arrested over the weekend after police say he jumped on a stage and disrupted the Gay Pride parade in Iowa City.

Iowa City police Lt. Bill Campbell said Michael S. Oren, 54, participated in the parade, but later began yelling following the parade in College Green Park. Campbell said Oren was given a verbal warning and removed from the area.

“He was not causing a problem because of the type of event going on,” Campbell said. “That was not the issue.”

Later, police said he followed the group to the Pedestrian Mall, where he jumped on stage and disturbed the musicians. Campbell said Oren was complaining about the current president, not the event.

“He was kind of ranting and raving on the stage,” Campbell said. ”He's not happy with the current status of things and the president, and so he was ranting and raving about that, but he had also been kind of overzealous with some of the women who were there.”

When police attempted to apprehend Oren for disorderly conduct, he resisted getting in the car and began yelling loudly, the complaints said.

Though police don't believe Oren intended to interrupt the festivities, he was ultimately removed for being disorderly.

“He was definitely disturbing the events, that we can say with great confidence,” Campbell said.

Oren is accused of disorderly conduct and interference with official acts. Both are simple misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $625.

Campbell said there were no other arrests during the festivities.