HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-17-2019 Human Rights CommissionFurl A01NA1
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
5:30 P.M.
City Hall, Helling Conference Room
410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City
1. Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call.
2. Approval of the August 20, 2019 meeting
3. Approval of the August 22, 2019 meeting
4. Public Comment of Items not on the
Commission for no more than 5 minutes.
with the public concerning said items).
5. Items to be discussed:
minutes.
minutes.
Agenda. (Commentators shall address the
Commissioners shall not engage in discussion
a. Official Statements by the Human Rights Commission.
b. Human Rights Commission's Strategic Planning Report 2018.
c. Human Rights Breakfast (October 23).
i. Selection committee.
ii. Award ceremony.
d. Committees: Public Safety; Education; Community Outreach; Housing.
e. Proclamation: National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 — October 15).
f. Proclamation: Indigenous Persons Day (October 14).
g. Correspondence.
6. Updates/Reports:
a. Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant.
i. Date and Time for Open House Informational Session.
b. Latino Festival 2019.
Staff/Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with
one another concerning said announcements).
8. Comments of Staff.
9. Adjournment.
If you will need disability -related accommodations to participate in this meeting please contact
the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
City Hall, Helling Conference Room
August20,2019
Members Present: Jeff Falk, Adil Adams, Noemi Ford, Cathy McGinnis,
Jessica Ferdig, Barbara Kutzko, Jonathon Munoz, Bijou
Maliabo, Tahuanty Pena.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to Council: No.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:34 PM.
Approval of the June 18, 2019 meeting minutes: Falk made a motion, it was
seconded by McGinnis. Motion passed 9-0.
Approval of the July 16, 2019 meeting minutes: Munoz made a motion, it was
seconded by Ferdig. Motion passed 8-0. (Pena abstained as he was not in attendance at
that meeting date).
Johnson County Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration: Falk represented the
Commission at the annual event. He noted that event speakers reported it was good
turnout compared to prior years.
Latino Festival: This event will be held on August 24 from noon to nine on the Ped Mall
Ferdig and Ford will staff a vendor table on behalf of the Commission.
Committee Updates: There are four committees that assist in advancing the strategic
plan. The four committees are Housing ('Falk, Adams, Pena); Public Safety ('McGinnis,
Maliabo, Munoz); Education ('Ferdig, Falk, Kutzko, Pena); and Community Outreach
('Adams, Falk, Munoz). Asterisks designates chairs of the committees.
Housing: No report.
Public Safety: No report.
Education: No large update.
Community Outreach: No report.
Climate Crisis: Staff briefly mentioned the Climate Crisis declared by the City Council
and spoke of ways the Commission could assist. Commissioners Munoz, Pena, Ford,
Ferdig, Kutzko, and McGinnis opted out of receiving mailed hardcopy packets.
Page 1 of 4
National Hispanic Heritage Month: Ferdig will accept the proclamation on behalf of the
Commission at the City Council meeting of September 17.
Human Rights Breakfast: This annual award ceremony is scheduled for October 23.
Dr. Melissa Shivers, University of Iowa's Vice President for Student Life will be the
keynote speaker. Nominations are currently being accepted for honorees. At the next
Commission meeting the subcommittee to select recipients will be formed as well as role
assignments for the ceremony.
Commission Announcements:
Falk reminded Commissioners of their strategic plan done in 2018 and asked for the
Commission as a group to review it in the near future.
Adams family returned from the Sudan after visiting for summer months. He is very
happy to have them back.
Ford mentioned that a mental health clinic, Iowa Refugee Counseling Center, recently
opened in the same location as Iowa City Compassion.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 6:14 PM.
Page 2 of 4
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Page 1 of 4
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
City Hall, Helling Conference
August22,2019
Members Present: Jeff Falk, Cathy McGinnis, Bijou Maliabo, Jessica
Ferdig, Barbara Kutzko, Tahuanty Pena.
Members Absent: Adil Adams. Noemi Ford. JonathonMunoz
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to Council: Yes. The Human Rights Commission makes the
following recommendation to City Council for the
Social Justice Racial Equity Grant for fiscal year 2020.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:36 PM.
Social Justice and Racial Eauity Grant: The Commission followed up from its
discussion of July 3 on the recommendations for changes/updates to the Social Justice
and Racial Equity Grant (SJRE) for fiscal year 2020.
The recommendations are as follows:
1. Governments, public schools, colleges and universities should not be a primary
applicant. Like City departments, governments, public colleges, universities and
public schools receive money from federal, state and local tax collections. Such
institutions should not compete with local nonprofits for limited City funding. If a
government, public school, college or university have a project that they would like to
initiate it should be submitted as a part of their annual budget process. This would not
restrict a government, public school, college or university from being a non- primary
applicant to a grant. This also would not prevent an organization associated or affiliated
with a government, public school, college or university from applying as a primary
applicant. For example, a student association or a parent teacher organization.
2. Ineligibility periods should be placed on organizations that have received
prior SJRE grant funding. Starting with fiscal year 2020, organizations that
receive SJRE grant funding will be ineligible to receive SJRE grant funding in the
next SJRE grant cycle. For example, if organization "A" receives funding in the
SJRE grant FY20 cycle, it would not be considered for funding prior to the FY22
grant cycle. This would be true even if it is a new or different project than had be
funded in FY20.
3. Whether an organization has received or will receive funding from the City of
Iowa City should be considered when making recommendations as to who should
be funded. Starting with fiscal year 2020, commissioners should factor into its
consideration, when making a recommendation to the City Council as to who should be
Page 2 of 4
funded, whether an organization has received funding for any project from the City of
Iowa City within the last five years, and if so, the amount of the funding, and the duration
of the funding.
4. There should be a maximum amount requested by each proposal. Starting with
fiscal year 2020, organizations will be restricted to requesting no more than $25,000 for
a project.
5. Applicants should be strongly encouraged to attend an open house
informational session on the grant that will be presented by commission
members. The informational session will be an opportunity to learn about the grant,
the process, and how commission members evaluate and rank the applications. The
event will be held in the month of November prior to the application period which
runs from December 6 — January 2.
6. The application form should state in its opening introduction that the
intent and purpose of the SJRE grant is to service and benefit Iowa Citians
as much as reasonably possible.
7. The application should provide in its opening introduction a definition of social
justice and racial equity to serve as guides for both commissioners and
applicants. The proposed definition is a merger of two definitions taken from the
Adams, Bell and Griffin (2007) book Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice and the
Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
For purposes of this grant the Commission would use the below definition to evaluate
each application based on the six identified priority areas —housing, building community,
employment, criminal justice, education, health.
Social justice and racial equity are both a process and a goal. The goal is full and equal
participation of all groups and individuals in a society that is mutually shaped to meet
their needs, allow them to reach their full potential, and limit/decrease barriers. This
definition includes a vision of society that is equitable, and where all members are
physically and psychologically safe and secure.
8. The application should ask applicants to provide a narrative about how
the proposed project came to be. The narrative could be descriptive or based
on city or statewide statistics. This would be added prior to the question that asks
What community need does this program, service or activity fulfill? Response
should include information or data that demonstrates the need (local or statewide
data).
9. The application should ask whether a sustainability plan has been
established for projects that wish to continue in the future without SJRE
grant funding. The sustainability plan must be specific on future funding and not
simply state the agency will continue to look for support. A sustainability plan is not
required for projects to be recommended for funding and is only applicable for
projects that plan on continuing after the SJRE cycle ends.
Page 3 of 4
10. The application should ask how the good or service produced as a result
of a project will be shared and/or communicated with the targeted community
and the larger community. This question would replace How will these outcomes
be shared beyond your organization with the community?
11. Recipients of the SJRE grant after completion of the grant cycle must as a part
of the agreement present to the commission and the community at a commission
sponsored forum on their project. The project presentation would include project
summary, objectives, results, and evaluation.
12. SJRE grant funding should be available for some operational expenses.
Operational costs should be defined as below and grant recipients would be
allowed to use up to 25% of its funding request on operational costs.
Operational Costs: expenses which are related to the operation of a business, or to the
operation of a device, component, piece of equipment or facility. They are the cost of
resources used by an organization just to maintain its existence. Examples Include but
are not limited to: salaries or wages of personnel, advertising, raw materials, license or
equivalent fees (such as Corporation yearly registration fees) imposed by a government,
real estate expenses (like rent or lease payments), furniture and equipment, utilities
(such as telephone service, internet connectivity, etc.), maintenance of equipment, office
supplies and consumables, and insurance premiums.
13. After applications have been received but prior to the recommendation to
City Council, commissioners may submit questions to applicants via staff.
These questions along with the response will be shared with all commissioners and
published to the public.
14. To keep within the spirit of the grant final rankings should serve different
populations. A statement should be given at the open house informational session
and at the Human Rights Commission meeting when allocations are being
recommended so stating.
15. Partial funding may be given to the next highest ranked applicant, if it is
clearly stated that the project may continue with less funds.
Adiournment: Motion to adjourn at 7:44 PM.
Page 4 of 4
Member Attendance Sheet
Member
Ter
m
1/8
1/24
2119
3/19
4/16
5/21
6/18
7/03
7/16
8/20
8/22
Maliabo
1/202
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Excused
Present
Present
McGinnis
1/202
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Munoz
1/202
Excused
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Excused
Excused
Present
Excused
Kutzko
1/202
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Excused
Excused
Present
Present
Present
Present
Falk
1/202
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Pena
1/202
Present
I Present
I Excused
I Present
I Present
I Present
Present
I Present
lExcused
lPresent
Present
Adams
1/202
Excused
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent
Present
Excused
Present
Present
Excused
Ferdig
1/202
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
I Present
present
lPresent
Present
Ford
1/202
Present
Excused
Present
Excused
Present
Present
Present
I Excused
JPresent
lPresent
lExcused
KEY: X = Present
0 = Absent
0/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
--- = Not a Member
Agenda Item 5B
IOWA CITY
HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION
STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS
REPORT
2018
Facilitated by:
Jeff Schott
Institute of Public Affairs
University of Iowa
IOWA CITY
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..................................................................................... Page 3
Update — 2014 Goals/Priorities...................................................... Page 4
General Duties of HRC ............................................................ Page 4
Areasof Interest ............................................... :........................... Page 5
Accomplishments......................................................................... Page 7
Issues, Concerns, Trends, and Opportunities .......................................... Page 8
On -Going Commitments.................................................................. Page 10
New Priority Projects, Programs or Initiatives ....................................... Page 11
Organizational Effectiveness Initiatives ............................................. Page 12
FinalComments................................................................................................. Page 13
Exhibit A — Significant Projects, Programs, Policies, and Initiatives Considered Page 14
2
IOWA CITY
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
2018
Introduction
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission (ICHRC) requested the Institute of Public
Affairs (IPA) to assist the Commission with strategic planning. IPA agreed to
organize and facilitate a process that involved the following steps:
1. Prepare a questionnaire to ICHRC Commissioners regarding: the key
purposes of the Commission, recent accomplishments,
issues/trends/concerns/opportunities, 'potential new initiatives,
programs, or policies and suggestions to improve organizational
effectiveness;
2. Conduct a strategic planning and organizational effectiveness sessions
with the Commission;
3. Preparation of this report.
Strateeic Plannine Session
A strategic planning session with ICHRC was held on February 22, 2018, at the
Helling Conference Room in Iowa City City Hall.
The following Commission members were in attendance and participated at this
meeting: Eliza Jane Willis (Chair), Joe Coulter, Adil D. Adams, Jeff Falk, Tahuanty
Pena CVice Chair), Arianna Aron, Cathy McGinnis, and Jonathon Munoz. Also in
attendance and participating in the session was ICHRC Coordinator Stefanie Bowers.
Or¢anizational Effectiveness Session
An organizational effectiveness planning session with ICHRC was held on March 29,
2018, in the City Hall Council Chambers in .Iowa City City Hall.
The following Commission members were in attendance and participated at this
meeting: Eliza Jane Willis (Chair), Joe Coulter, Adil D. Adams, Jeff Falk, Tahuanty
Pena (Vice Chair), Cathy McGinnis, and Jonathon Munoz.. Also in attendance and
participating in the session was ICHRC Coordinator Stefanie Bowers.
c
Update - 2014 Goals/Priorities
The participants reviewed the status of implementing the following goals/priorities as
established during ICHRC previous planning session in 2014:
2014 Review
On -Going Commitments
• Youth Awards.
• Awards breakfast.
• Building Blocks to Employment Job Fair.
• Mayoral proclamations.
• Gentinuing Educational programs.
• &entinuing Outreach efforts.
• Compliance with Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code.
New Priority Projects. Programs. and Initiatives
• Develop listening posts for outreach to target communities.
• Enhance presence with quarterly presentations to City Council on
Commission events, programs and initiatives.
• Affordable/universal/accessible housing = educational programs
• Hold meetings with various community groups.
General Duties of the Human Riehts Commission
HRC Coordinator Stefanie Bowes reviewed the general duties, powers and
responsibilities of HRC as set forth in Chapter 2 of the Iowa City Municipal Code.
0
Areas of Interest
The participants reviewed and discussed the following areas of interest that the
Commissioners felt HRC should be involved in:
Community
• Events revolving around people of color and their history in the form of
activities, conferences, programs etc.
• I would also like to see little libraries in underprivileged neighborhoods.
Part of that, would be inviting the community to participate in the making of
these libraries.
• Any area under the broad range of topics in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights within the geographic area of Iowa City and its immediate
surroundings. These would include discrimination in employment, housing,
schooling, and facilities, standards of living, law enforcement, and judicial
proceedings.
• Get more involved with housing issues in the community, especially in
terms of the impact on undocumented and documented immigrants who
appear to be suffering from discrimination.
• Consider the equity issues raised by current eviction policies and practices.
We should maintain and expand our relationships with organizations
working for greater equity and nondiscrimination in our community.
• Developing a list of community organizations concerned with social justice
issues that may benefit from our assistance.
• Community education regarding Racial Equity
• LGBTQI - community education
• Social equity in affordable, accessible housing.
• Increased funding for social justice and racial equity grants
• Johnson County/Iowa City Access Center Project.
■ More community meetings and townhalls and events.
• Social justice activities for young generations to participate in all activities
and try to get donations.
• General education regarding human rights and the role of the commission.
For example, explaining the power of municipal HRCs in general and the
federal and international framework, e.g. ICERD, which informs that power.
The HRC should be able strive to educate the residents of Iowa City how to
best practice human rights in their day to day'interactions with others, and
the resources available to them to help them do that.
• Voter registration in areas of the city that are under -represented
• Voter participation rates in non -presidential elections
• Community ID
0 Immigrant rights
Schools
■ Changing the curriculum used in schools around history.
• Having the accurate information on black history.
• Learning about other people in the civil rights era vs. year after year learning
about the same individuals.
• Having administration, teachers, and support staff of color throughout the
district.
o Racial equity in the school system and the wider community.
• Tate High School is often forgotten about when it comes to outreach efforts.
Tate is part of ICCSD but often the stigma surrounding Tate prevents
community members and programs from reaching out.
o Programming that is offered in West and City should also be offered at
Tate.
Public Safetv
• A role in responding to hate crimes or incidents when they occur.
• Developing a rapid response team with re: to hate crimes and bias crimes.
■ Obtaining information regarding Community Police Review Board and
• Obtaining information/communication with Police Department
Accomplishments
The following were identified as recent accomplishments of ICHRC:
• Outreach to Broadway and Pheasant Ridge (Overcharging on rent).
• Organizing a number of programs and panel discussions.
• Co -sponsoring similar events with other groups.
• SJRE Grants:
o Evaluating and submitting recommendations for the City SJRE
grants.
o Designing procedures for the SJRE grant.
• Review & responses to requests for funding
• Human rights awards and recognition program.
• Participated in planning, sponsorship, and activities re: MLK Day.
• Participated in Iowa City Pride.
• Participated in planning and sponsorships of Juneteenth activities.
• Community building exercise in 2016.
• Community IDs.
• Focus on the issues involving immigrants/Muslims.
• Obtained recognition for Indigenous Peoples Day.
• Participation in City Manager's Roundtable.
• Crossing Bridges conference.
• Know Your Rights -Domestic Abuse.
• Activities at the Coralville and Iowa City library with immigrant
communities.
• Preparation/distribution of educational materials by HRC staff.
For a more complete list of accomplishments, refer to the Commission's annual
reports.
Issues, Concerns, Trends and Opportunities
The following were identified as issues,. concerns, trends, and opportunities that
may affect future ICHRC services, policies, programs or operations:
Community Outreach/Support
• Find more supports, activities or programming for young men specifically
young men of color.
• Status and quality of life for undocumented or documented immigrants.
• Access to parks and outdoor /indoor recreational activities.
• Education about human rights and a need for people to speak out against
some of the hateful things we are seeing and hearing.
Education
• Establish programming in/out of school, extracurricular activities, trips that
will be inclusive for all youth, backgrounds, race, ethnicity, and gender.
• Classes devoted to the real history of ALL youth of color.
• Create 3 events that align with the trimester system used in high schools in
ICCSD. Each trimester, there will be an event, activity, program etc. made for
all youth of color.
• The financial and geographic disparity within the ICCSD needs to be
investigated and discussed for its current effects and future implications.
• Fairness and equity in the school environment.
Housine
• Housing conditions and building code enforcement.
• Evictions: trends and enforcement in small claims court for fairness and
compassion. Domestic violence and violence in general.
• Affordable housing.
■ Mortgage practices, primarily against Latino applicants (Iowa City has high
percentage of denials).
Public Safety
• Information regarding police training and recruitment, for example training
on the use of a weapon.
• Iowa City Substation needs to be community friendly. The doors are always
closed and are tinted so you never know if they are open or not.
■ The grave threats faced by undocumented immigrants.
• Hate crimes.
• Increase in bias incidents.
• Increase in incidents of violence; need to promote ALICE training.
• Disproportionate minority contact and incarceration.
• Equity for criminal defendants.
• Opioid epidemic.
• Access Center development.
• Racial and Ethnic diversity of police force - need to reflect the community.
• Language access, including for persons accused of crimes.
Transportation
• Transportation availability and its relation to financial ability
• Sidewalk accessibility in certain parts of town
Other
• Coping with climate change -equity impact.
• Anew set and clear goals and objectives, or a strategic plan, for
Commissioners to follow.
• Responsibilities and expectations of the Human Rights Commission in the
coming years as our community continues to grow.
• Recruiting more leadership from the immigrant communities.
■ Support for Neighborhood Centers.
• Support for organizations who positively impact community.
• Publish a magazine every three month that reflects on human rights.
• Keep addressing the issue of diversity among the community.
• Promote social justice and other values of the Commission.
• Human rights issues that are important for the city but cannot be addressed
by the city. Relationship between the city and university on human rights
issues.
On-Goine Commitments
The following were identified as on -going commitments of the Commission for the
upcoming 24 - 36 month period:
• Continue Youth Awards.
• Continue Awards breakfast.
■ Building Blocks for Employment Job Fair.
• Mayoral proclamations.
• Continue educational programs.
o Continue educational programs re affordable/universal/accessible
housing
• Continue outreach efforts.
• Continue Social Justice/Racial Equity Grant Program
• Continue voter registration activities in areas of the city that are under-
represented
• Continue support for Community ID program
• Compliance with Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code.
10
New Priority Projects, Programs and Initiatives
The following were identified as new priority projects, programs, and initiatives of
the Commission for the upcoming 24 - 36 month period (listed in priority order):
1. Affordable housing = work with landlords regarding background and
credit checks which can make it very difficult for some to find adequate
housing
2. (Tie) Have more speakers of color and other diverse backgrounds to
come to Iowa City to talk about current issues
(Tie) Develop youth -oriented education programs and activities
(Tie) Develop and disseminate city and/or county -wide newsletter listing
events and programs related to human rights
5 (Tie) Year-round event, all of which should take place in Lakeside,
Broadway, Pheasant Ridge and all mobile home courts.
(Tie) More Commissioner participation in Commission -sponsored events,
programs and outreach.
o Have everyone participate annually in at least one event,
activity etc. put on by the Human Rights Commission.
7 (Tie) Develop plan/program to more effectively collaborate with other
city agencies, organizations, non -profits.
(Tie) Involvement with Johnson County/Iowa City Access center
development and staffing
11
OrEanizational Effectiveness Initiatives
The participants reviewed a variety of ideas relating to improving organizational
effectiveness to accomplish the selected goals and priorities. After review and
discussion, the Commissioners selected the following steps to improve
organizational effectiveness:
• Examine the Commission's Annual Report and the City's Racial Equity Report
to determine whether there are trends for which educational programs and
outreach programs should be addressed.
• Commissioners should provide more information at Commission meetings
regarding their participation in Commission -sponsored events, programs
and outreach.
• Designate appropriate items on Commission agendas as "discussion items"
which will be reviewed and discussed at the meeting nut no action will be
taken at that time.
• Invite representatives of various community organizations and/or
governmental agencies to provide presentations at Commission meetings
regarding relevant items or issues of interest as identified by the Commission
or Commissioners.
• Improve Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Review forms and procedures.
• Conduct bi-annual evaluations of progress made on Commission priorities
and other important issues
• Continue opportunities for training/continuing education programs for
Commissioners; explore other training opportunities
■ Investigate contacting other Human/Civil Rights Commissions to discuss
issues of mutual concern
12
Final Comments
It was a pleasure to once again assist the Iowa City Human Rights Commission with this
project.
It is important to note that the prioritization of projects and initiatives is riot "cast in
stone." They can be modified as new circumstances may occur.
It is recommended that staff prepare an "action plan" for accomplishing the planning
goals. The action plan would define the steps that would be needed to accomplish each
goal, identify who is responsible for implementation, and establish a timeline for
accomplishment. The action plan should then be presented to the Commission for review
and approval. It is also recommended that staff review with the Commission the status of
implementing the goals on a quarterly basis.
Jeff Schott
Institute of Public Affairs
The University of Iowa
March 30, 2018
13
Exhibit A
Iowa City Human Rights Commission
Strategic Planning Session — 2018
SIGNIFICANT NEW INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS OR POLICIES
CONSIDERED
• Having more speakers of color come to our City and talk about current
issues.
• Youth version of Human Rights Commission or create a group
made specifically for youth in our community.
• Year-round events all of which should take place in the Lakeside,
Broadway, Pheasant Ridge, and all trailer home courts.
■ Perhaps a citywide "contest' to increase voter participation in city or county
elections in non -presidential years.
• City and/or county wide newsletter listing events and programs related to
human rights.
• Develop plan/program to more effectively collaborate with other city
agencies, services, organizations, and non -profits, etc.
• Affordable housing - working with landlords regarding their background and
credit checks, which can make it very difficult for some people to find
adequate housing.
• Encourage more immigrant membership on city boards/commissions
• Support soccer competitions with other communities or cities.
• Involvement with Johnson County/Iowa City Access Center Development and
Staffing.
• City -sponsored grant writing workshops (e.g. general principles and
methods).
• More Commissioner participation in events
• Develop rapid response team to respond to hate crimes
• Develop youth -oriented education programs and activities
14
Agenda Item 5d
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Correspondence
1566 South Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
August, 2019
Dear Iowa City Human Right Board members,
You and a guest are cordially invited to attend the 2019 Refugee and Immigrant Recognition Dinner,
Saturday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4330 St. Patrick Drive, Iowa City.
This annual event recognizes refugee and immigrant leaders as well as members of the larger
community who have welcomed and supported refugees and immigrants in Eastern Iowa.
This year we honor Jim Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, for his leadership and in grateful recognition
of the many services provided by Iowa City governmental agencies to those who have recently arrived in
Iowa City from around the world.
The evening will feature a dinner with many traditional African specialties as well as musical
performances by refugee and immigrant youth.
We invite you to this event to show our appreciation for the opportunity to live in Eastern Iowa.
We look forward to welcoming you on October 19. Please RSVP at refu¢eeiowa@Rmail.com at your
earliest convenience, but no later than October 12.
Sincerely,
Jean Paul Mugemuzi
President
refugeeiowa@gmail.com refugeeimmigrant.org facebook.com/RiAssociation/
The following documents were handed
out during the meeting.
Hate Speech Proclamation
https://www.sterlinacodifiers.conVcodebookfindex.r)ho?book id-953
Aiding or abetting and public accommodation
https://www.niot.oro/
https://www.niot.org/sites/default/files/Gold%20Star%20Cities%20booklet°/a20final pdf
https://www.articlel9.ora/data/files/medialibrarv/38231/Hate speech report -ID -files --final pdf
https://hatehasnohomehere.org/faq/group/
https://hatehasnohomehere.orQ/download/artwork/
Whereas, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights,
protected in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and given legal force
through all major international and regional human rights treaties, and
Whereas, the scope of the right to freedom of expression is broad, the right to freedom of
expression is not an absolute right, and
Whereas, hate speech is an intense and irrational emotion of opprobrium, enmity and
detestation towards an individual or group, and any expression of hate towards an individual or
group defined by a protected characteristic, whereby expressions impart opinions or ideas —
bringing an internal opinion or idea to an external audience taking many forms: written, non-
verbal, visual, artistic, etc, and may be disseminated through any media, including internet,
print, radio, or television, and
Whereas, Iowa City protects individuals of the City against discrimination as defined by the City
Code, and provides for execution within the City of the policies of the Iowa Civil Rights Act of
1965, the Federal Civil Rights Acts, and the preamble and part I of the "International
Convention On the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination of 1966, and the promotion
of cooperation among the City, State and Federal agencies which are charged, presently and in
the future, with enforcing these Acts and instruments, and
Whereas, it takes a community together to pledge to stand up to all forms of hate, bigotry and
bullying, to not stay silent in the face of intolerance based on race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender,
religion, ability or any other factor, and will work together with neighbors to create safer, more
inclusive communities for all, and
Whereas, creating dialogue and new local relationships is really what makes this effort
meaningful, and
Whereas, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, Police Department, Sheriff's Office, the
University of Iowa and the Iowa United Nations Association worked together to produce Unite!
Don't Fight, an informational brochure explaining how our community can take a stand against
hate speech,
Now, therefore, I, Jim Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim Iowa City a Hate
Has No Home Here Community and encourage all citizens to join together to fight hate in our
community.