HomeMy WebLinkAbout7 14 2020Human Rights Commission
July 14, 2020
Electronic Work Session- 5:30 PM
Zoom Meeting Platform
Electronic Meeting
(Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting is being held because a meeting in person is impossible or
impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of Commission members,
staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
You can participate in the meeting and can comment on an agenda item by
going to
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwud-Corz0iEtIJGiSU95h_Kz76dm1e4gKG
via the internet to visit the Zoom meeting’s registration page
and submit the required information.
Once approved, you will receive an email message with a link to join the meeting.
If you are asked for a meeting ID or webinar ID, enter the ID number found in the
email. A meeting password may also be included in the email. Enter the
password when prompted. If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you
may call in by telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799. When prompted, enter the
meeting ID or webinar ID. The ID number for this meeting is: 983 0901 6886.
Once connected, you may dial *9 to “raise your hand,” letting the meeting host
know you would like to speak. Providing comments in person is not an option.
Agenda:
1. Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call.
2. Approval of minutes from June 19, 2020 and July 7, 2020.
3. Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda. (Commentators shall address the Commission
for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with the public
concerning said items).
4. Items to be discussed:
a. Correspondence;
b. Strategic Plan. (The Commission will not seek public comment on the strategic plan at
this time but the public will be given an opportunity to comment at a later date).
5. Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one another
concerning said announcements).
6. Comments of Staff.
7. 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.
Page 1
of34
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
Electronic Formal Meeting
Zoom Meeting Platform
June 19, 2020
Members Present: Ashley Lindley, Jessica Andino, Cathy McGinnis,
Zachary Rochester, Mark Pries, Noemi Ford, Jason
Glass, Bijou Maliabo.
Members Not Present: Adil Adams.
.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Community Members Present: Tracy Jon Sargent, Shams Ghoneim, Joe Coulter,
Aaron Page, Royceann Porter,
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or
impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and
the public presented by COVID-19.
Recommendation to Council: No.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:11 PM.
Approval of the June 16, 2020 minutes: Rochester moved to approve the amended
minutes, and the motion was seconded by Lindley. Motion carried 8-0.
Statement on Black Lives Matter: Commissioners presented a draft statement in
support of Black Lives Matter. Commissioners: Ford, Lindley, Rochester, and Glass
drafted the statement and presented it to the entire Commission. Members of the
University of Iowa Center for Human Rights Commission offered support to the
Commission and to assist them in any future endeavors related to the City Council’s
resolution on Black Lives Matter. After some revisions, Lindley moved, and Pries
seconded to accept the statement on Black Lives Matter for the Commissions. Motion
passed 7-0. (Ford not present). Staff will update the statement to reflect changes and
place in Commission letterhead.
Subcommittee on Black Lives Matter: The Commission decided to rename the
subcommittee as the Antiracism Working Group. Commission members who volunteered
to join are Rochester, Andino, and Lindley. Staff will send out a Doodle pole to get days
and times for the Commission to meet to further discuss the goals of this work group.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 6:40 PM.
Page 2
of34
Member Attendance Sheet
Member Term
Exp.
1/7 1/21 2/18 3/17 4/21 5/19 6/16 6/19 7/21 8/18 9/15 10/20
Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present
Present Excused Present Excused Present Present
McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present
Present Excused Present Present Present Present
Rochester 1/2021 Present Present
Excused Excused Present Present Present Present
Adams 1/2022 Excused Present
Excused Excused Present Present Present Excused
Andino 1/2022 Present Present
Present Excused Present Present Present Present
Ford 1/2022 Present Present
Excused Excused Present Excused Present Present
Lindley 1/2023 Present Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Present
Glass 1/2023 Present Present
Present Excused Present Excused Present Present
Pries 1/2023 Present Present Excused Excused Present Present Present Present
Late Handouts
From: Iowa City Human Rights Commission
Like so many across the nation, we were outraged by the murder of George Floyd at the hands
of a Minneapolis police officer and by the failure of other officers to intervene. We felt it was time
to make an unprecedented statement addressing this human rights violation.
While Mr. Floyd was not a resident of Iowa City, his death has highlighted a failure to address
the underlying economic and social forces that perpetuate systemic racism throughout our
nation and within our community. It is because of these failures that we have seen so many
names become hashtags: Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Botham Jean, and Tamir Rice,
among others. Living while black should not be a death sentence.
Systemic racism and centuries of oppression of people of color, especially of African Americans,
is a clear human rights issue. This is embedded into many areas of our community, including
but not limited to law enforcement, criminal justice, housing, employment, education, healthcare
and childcare. We recognize that these interrelated factors make solutions complex. Though the
issues are systemic, solutions must be specific, focused on individual and policy-level changes,
and involve broad participation to be successful.
As a commission, we pledge the following commitments to you:
● We state unequivocally that Black Lives Matter.
● We will increase our efforts to highlight the work being done by the Iowa City Human
Rights Department to educate and engage the community on human rights issues.
● We will spread awareness of resources and activities in the community through the
Human Rights Quarterly Report found here: (Link).
● We will continue to be active representatives of this community and leverage our
partnership with the Iowa City Council to further dialogue and advocate for action on
human rights issues, including addressing the Iowa City Freedom Riders’ demands.
● We will listen to and help amplify community voices on matters of human rights.
Community residents are always encouraged to contact a member of the Human Rights
Commission or City Staff if they have questions or concerns.
● We will engage in active dialogues with local officials and city staff members, including
law enforcement, that allow them to make informed decisions regarding equitable and
just policies and practices upholding human rights and holding human rights violators
accountable.
● We further offer help in bridging the gap and fostering an open dialogue between law
enforcement and those participating in non-violent protests. We want to assist in building
trust between these groups to assure safety for all and protection of the Constitutional
Rights of speech and assembly.
● We commit to building a more robust Human Rights Commission Strategic Plan starting
in July to assure that our priorities align with the goals above and in light of the
heightened awareness in our community to issues of race within systems and policies.
The goal of these commitments is to help us stay true to our duties and to more actively spur us
to be a part of the solution in dismantling systems of oppression by starting with small acts of
our own today.
Our community should be one that is equitable and just. It should be reflective of our diverse
population and the many interests, talents, and viewpoints Iowa City residents hold. This
commission looks forward to building on our strengths and addressing critical areas that must
be improved in our community.
We hope that the passion of the last few weeks is indicative of the will to truly find solutions to
these issues, which will undoubtedly take a sustained, long-term effort involving all of our
community members. We must assure that this is not a fleeting moment, but a pivotal one that
leads to lasting change.
In solidarity,
[Human Rights Commission Signature]
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 06/22/2020
Contact: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director
Phone: 319-356-5022
City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission issues
statement in support of Black Lives Matter
Like so many across the nation, we were outraged by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of
Minneapolis police officers. We felt it was time to make an unprecedented statement addressing this
human rights violation.
The killing of George Floyd resonates within our community, illuminating the failure to address
underlying economic and social forces perpetuating systemic racism throughout our nation.
Because of these failures, many names have become headlines: Tamir Rice, Philando Castile,
Botham Jean, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, among so many other BIPOC. Living While Black
should not be a death sentence.
Systemic racism and centuries of oppression of people of color, especially of African Americans,
represent ongoing human rights crises. This is embedded into many areas of our community,
including but not limited to law enforcement, criminal justice, housing, employment, education,
healthcare and childcare. We recognize that these interrelated factors make solutions complex.
Though the issues are systemic, solutions must be specific, focused on individual and policy-level
changes, involving broad participation to be successful.
As a commission, we pledge the following commitments to you:
• We state unequivocally Black Lives Matter.
• We will increase our efforts to highlight the work being done by the City of Iowa City Office
of Equity and Human Rights to educate and engage the community on human rights issues.
• We will spread awareness of resources and activities in the community through the Social
Justice and Racial Equity Quarterly Report found here.
• We will continue to be active representatives of this community and in working with the Iowa
City City Council, further dialogue and advocate for action for human rights issues, including
addressing the Iowa City Freedom Riders’ demands.
• We will listen to and help amplify community voices on matters of human rights. Community
residents are always encouraged to contact a member of the Human Rights Commission or
City staff if they have questions or concerns.
• We will engage in active dialogues with local officials and City staff members, including law
enforcement, that allow them to make informed decisions regarding equitable and just
policies and practices upholding human rights and holding human rights violators
accountable.
• We further offer our assistance in bridging the gap and fostering an open dialogue between
law enforcement and those participating in non-violent protests. We want to aid in
promoting trust between these groups to assure safety for all and protection of the
Constitutional Rights of free speech and freedom of assembly.
• We commit to building a more robust Human Rights Commission Strategic Plan starting in
July to assure that our priorities align with the goals above and in light of the heightened
awareness in our community to issues of race within systems and policies.
The goal of these commitments is to help us stay true to our duties and to more actively spur us to
be a part of the solution in dismantling systems of oppression by starting with small acts of our own
today.
This commission looks forward to building on our strengths and addressing critical areas that must
be improved in our community. We hope that the passion of the last few weeks is indicative of the
will to truly find solutions to these issues, which will undoubtedly take a sustained, long-term effort
involving all community members. We must assure that this is not a fleeting moment, but a pivotal
one that leads to lasting change.
To learn more about the City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission visit this link.
In solidarity,
City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission
Questions?
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Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
Electronic Formal Meeting Zoom Meeting Platform
July 7, 2020
Members Present: Ashley Lindley, Jessica Andino, Cathy McGinnis, Adil Adam, Zachary Rochester, Mark
Pries, Noemi Ford, Jason Glass, Bijou Maliabo.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Community Members Present: Deion Broxton, Mayra Hernandez.
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8) An electronic meeting was held because a
meeting in person was impossible or impractical due to concerns for the health and safety of council
members, staff and the public presented by COVID-19.
Recommendation to Council: No.
Strategic Plan
Ongoing Commitments: Youth Awards, Awards Breakfast, Job Fair, Proclamations, Social Justice & Racial
Equity Grants.
Continue to support Community ID Program and that support inclusiveness in Iowa City.
New Commitments
Reaffirmation of Racial Justice within Policing, public statements on issues when they fall within the
Commission’s realm.
Top priorities
Cathy
• Affordable/Accessible Housing (criminal background checks, credit checks, persons with
disabilities).
• Disproportionate number of Black persons being incarcerated in the State of Iowa.
Zachary
• Dismantling racism workshops.
• Education and truthful depiction of history and the land that we are on.
• Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Rights of Nature Ideas: water and earth.
• Worker’s rights, low wage workers, and human rights abuses in the Johnson county service
industry.
• Welcome celebration for new community members.
• Unity festival.
• Film series.
• Hosting film screening.
• Inter religious dialogue and broad religious education.
Adil
• Affordable Housing (Housing Choice Voucher).
• Sporting Communities with emphasis on immigrant populations.
Jessica
• More updated on what staff is doing.
• Resources within the City that highlight human rights.
• Program or video resources.
• Outreach and Education with specific attention on immigrants, POC, integrating into Iowa City
and vice versa.
• Having a little more active participation by Commission members on subcommittees.
• More Commission members volunteering to help staff.
Bijou
• More Commission members volunteering.
• Education for POC, immigrant & refugee, high school.
• Human Trafficking.
• Worker’s Rights/Discrimination.
Noemi
• Programming: what is needed what is being done by other organizations.
• Mental Health: majority culture vs. minority culture and accessing health care, discrimination,
mentally ill individuals being arrested without mental health care while in custody.
• Application process for affordable housing (Housing Choice Voucher).
• Low income and subsidized options in every housing unit, integrated access.
Ashley
• New priorities, human rights is a broad topic and many things fit under.
• Education and Outreach.
• More active involvement in education. A regular PSA to continue education and outreach.
• Access to human rights related resources. In multiple languages.
• Listening Posts. Finding a better way to get thoughts of community members. More readily
available information about our meetings for community members to get their thoughts.
• Human Rights Mixer.
Jason
• There is not a lot of interaction between the HRC and the Council.
• Commissioners could serve as representatives of the City and also could be more of a resource
to the Council in evaluating policies.
• Commissioners should have more interaction with City Departments and staff.
• Programming, civic education and voting education for underrepresented groups.
• Professional and Technical Diversity Network that would hold welcoming receptions.
Mark
• Juneteenth a priority on City’s calendar.
• Education related to systems within societies, white privilege, elitism, and male privilege.
• Commissioners should have a voice in conversations with City Council related to the City’s 1
million allocation for racial equity and social justice.
• Commission should meet more regularly.
• A vision for a new America.
General notes:
Other community members can join HRC subcommittees.
Meet quarterly with City Council members and City Manager.
Reports of Commissioners:
Mark Pries, has a meeting with the Consultation of Religious Communities on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.
Ashley Lindley registered to attend the 2020 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Online Global Summit.
Ashley will send the link to register to staff to send out to other Commissioners who are interested in
registering.
Staff:
Will be co-sponsoring an Implicit Bias training for area restaurants and business owners. A similar
program will be offered in September for area landlords and property managers.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn at 7:02PM.
Member Term 1/7 1/21 2/18 3/17 4/21 5/19 6/16 6/19 7/7 7/21 8/18 9/15 10/20
Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present Present Excused Present Excused Present Present Present
McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present
Rochester 1/2021 Present Present Excused Excused Present Present Present Present Present
Adams 1/2022 Excused Present Excused Excused Present Present Present Excused Present
Andino 1/2022 Present Present Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present
Ford 1/2022 Present Present Excused Excused Present Excused Present Present Present
Lindley 1/2023 Present Excused Present Excused Present Present Present Present Present
Glass 1/2023 Present Present Present Excused Present Excused Present Present Present
Pries 1/2023 Present Present Excused Excused Present Present Present Present Present