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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-04 Late HandoutsLate Handouts Distributed 8 q—iz-Z' (Date) � r CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa S2240-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org City Council Agenda — August 4, 2022 — Special Formal Meeting Information submitted between distribution at 4:00pm on Wednesday and meeting on Thursday. Late Handout(s): 2. Removal of Commission member — See correspondence from Carl Holcombe, Bennett Noonan, Sarah Schaefer, Doug Pepe, Adam Callanan, Renee Speh, Cristin, Dragas Atoms, Patrick Bigsby, Taylor Kohn, Cecilia Martinez, Lina Murillo, Will Kapp, Hannah Zadeh, Latisha McDaniel-Grife KellieFruehling From: holcombe cart <carlholcombe@yahoo.com> Late Handouts Distributed Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 11:52 PM To: Kellie Fruehling Subject: Removal of Amel Ali I (Date) Hello, I am an Iowa City resident & taxpayer & keenly interested in having a local government of openness & visibility. I urgently ask the Iowa City City Council to actually play the Amel Ali podcasts in their entirety for the council, the public, & for the record, to fully understand Ms. Ali's comments & their context. If then it's discussed & decided those comments warrant Ms. Ali's removal from the TRC, then so be it. If those comments don"t warrant Ms. Ali's removal, then so be it. Until they've heard the entire podcasts in question, how can anyone, supporting or opposing Ms. Ali's removal, truly discuss or support any decision? We must know the truth. _Carl Holcombe This email is from an external source. Kellie Fruehling From: Bennett Noonan <bennett.noonan@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 5:15 PM To: *City Council Subject: TRC, Amel, Language Late Handouts Distributed (Date) I am a UI alum, former Iowa City resident, and occasional visitor. I have been keeping an eye and ear on what's happening with the TRC as I think Iowa City is uniquely positioned to make some very bold moves in combating systemic racial injustice. This makes it even more painful to see the news this morning that the sitting chair of the TRC, a black woman activist, has been the target of harassment. On top of that, the spectacle is going to continue at this public hearing tomorrow where Amel will be dragged out and further humiliated through the weaponizing of their words. This is pretty obviously retaliation and unbecoming of the city of Iowa City that I remember. Amel has every right to say what they've said. And a council composed mostly of white people who clearly don't understand the nuances of racially charged language shouldn't get themselves worked into a foaming stupor over the comments of a black activist stating their frustrations while trying to better the community for everyone. I hope you all take a very close look at what you're really mad about (some colleague with a vendetta that's big mad telling you to do something), take off your caps of righteous indignation, cancel the meeting, and work with Amel and the TRC to help bolster the community you're supposed to serve. Grow up. Do better. Bennett Noonan Cell (563) 542-6200 bennett. noona n @gmail.com Kellie Fruehling From: Sarah S <s.schaefer500@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 6:06 PM To: *City Council Subject: Amel Ali 1 RISH Good evening, Late Handouts Distributed L�—ZZ (Date) I'm emailing you in support of Amel Ali keeping her position as chair of the TRC. She does excellent work in the community and is someone that makes me proud to be from there and should not be removed from her position because of miscommunication and being human in general. Kellie Fruehling From: Douglas Pepe <dougpepe.dp@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 7:06 PM To: *City Council Subject: AmelAli Greetings, I am a resident of Ames, Iowa reaching out in support of Amel Ali. Doug Pepe 3539 Tripp St Ames, Iowa -4-2� Late Handouts Distributed (Date) —Z1— Kellie Z/ Kellie Fruehling From: Adam Callanan <upandatom@sbcglobal.net> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 8:38 PM To: *City Council Late Handouts Distributed Subject: Support for Amel Ali # (Date) RISL� Hello Iowa City Council, My name is Adam Callanan and I live in Des Moines. I am writing you because while I do not live in Iowa City I have had the pleasure of getting to know Amel & seen the work she has accomplished (in and beyond the TRC). I am dismayed by the councils rush to vote to potentially remove Amel for comments made in a podcast. Council even considering this vote, especially in this rushed setting, shows the city is not allowing the TRC to serves its stated purpose. Removal would show without a doubt that the City Council does not, in fact, support the TRC they created. This is, of course, not the first time the City Council has meddled in TRC's functioning. You should know that whatever action you take, Amel is an incredible person and will continue to work to build a better community. It would be a huge detriment to the city of Iowa City if she continues that work after being excommunicated in this manner. It would, among other things, discourage other amazing people from considering working with Iowa City in the future. Amel has community support across Iowa. Taking this action alienates and insults many, many people. The action you are considering threatens any goodwill Iowa City wants from the public. Thank you, Adam Callanan Kellie Fruehling From: Renee Speh <reneespeh@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 9:01 PM To: *City Council Subject: Amel Ali and the TRC -Z— Late Handouts Distributed (Date) I am writing in support of Amel Ali and to ask you not to remove her from Chair of TRC. 1. We have a Constitutional right to free speech. We can criticize leaders. We may have opinions about what is appropriate and kind to say, but we don't have the right to stop others from expressing their opinions. We don't have the right to silence voices we are uncomfortable with. 2.1 know Amel Ali from a different context and my experiences with her were that she is thoughtful and honest. I appreciate her viewpoint and learned from her. 3. Having been an Executive Director I would consider talking with an employee who said unkind things to explain expectations and develop a plan to improve communication. 4. 1 also would ensure the person who received the insult had support they needed. Thank you. Kellie Fruehling From: Cristin Dragas Atoms <cdragas@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 9:40 PM To: *City Council Late Handouts Distributed Subject: I support Amel Ai RISE[ Greetings, 9 -'-J -Zz-, (Date) I am writing to inform you that I support Amel, and cannot believe that a call for her removal would be entertained by anyone actually seeking truth and reconciliation. Tone policing a Black Woman is not how we move past the issues of racism that the truth and reconciliation commission is meant to deal with. And, if you are unaware: Words that have been used as a slur against you are not slurs when YOU use them. There is power in reclaiming words that were used to oppress or systemically hurt you. People who have not been abused by these words have no right to them, and should keep them out of their mouths. But people who have felt the sting of racialized slurs can (if they want) use them as the meaning of the word hits quite differently than if they were spoken by a Black person versus a White person. There are power dynamics in our society. Refusing to recognize the racism that bubbles under the surface (to a White person's eyes) is why so many people of color are disproportionately in danger in just about every way, and why we desperately need Amel on the TRC. Do the right thing. Respect a Black Woman's freedom of speech. And don't accuse someone of racism merely because they reclaim a word that was used to hurt them, and it happens to be a word that would be racism IF it were spoken by a White person. (Which, it wasn't.) —cristin (a neighbor in Ames) Cristin Dragas Atoms She/ her (757) 639-5280 "If you try you risk failure, if you don't, you ensure it." (unknown source... can't remember) "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde Kellie Fruehling From: Patrick Bigsby <patrick.bigsby@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 11:54 PM To: *City Council Late Handouts Distributed Subject: Truth and Reconciliation Commission g - Lf - Z� N (Date) FtIS�[ Hello, My name is Patrick Bigsby and I am a resident of Coralville, Iowa. As I am not a resident of Iowa City, I am not a part of the constituency which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its chair purport to serve. I am, however, a resident of Johnson County and, therefore, part of the constituency that Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter purports to serve. To the extent the Council may believe Supervisor Porter is acting on behalf of her constituency by lobbying the Council to remove Amel Ali from her Commission position, I want to be perfectly clear: I strongly condemn Supervisor Porter's course of action. She does not represent my views or act on my behalf. I do not deny Supervisor Porter's right to take offense at Ms. Ali's remarks. I am not a person of color nor can I recall any instance where I have been called what I perceive to be a racial slur, so I can not and do not claim to know Supervisor Porter's injury beyond recognizing that it is sincere. I write simply to convey that I find it deeply improper, irregular, and disappointing that one of my county supervisors has seen fit to transcend the purview of her duties and attempt to meddle in the City's decision-making in what appears to be her official capacity. As a resident of Iowa City, Supervisor Porter surely has a personal stake in the administration of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. However, she has acted in a manner that makes plain she wishes to trade on her personal relationships with Council members, leverage her political station, and carry out interpersonal feuds under the guise of mere policy discussion. Like me, each of you are members of Supervisor Porter's constituency and I hope that, like me, you condemn the transmutation of peculiar vendettas into policy. I hope that whatever decision you reach on the subject of Ms. Ali's continued chairing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission does not encourage this sort of behavior from the elected officials we trust with our governance. Sincerely, Patrick Bigsby Kellie Fruehling From: Taylor Kohn <taylorkohn99@hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 12:25 AM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Motion to remove Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission } (Date) Fti51'{ Hello, I'm writing because I am concerned about the motion to remove the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Amel Ali. For over a year now there has been significant effort to slow and stop this commission, led by some community members and officials, and this is an alarming part of that pattern. To remove the chair would not be in any way supporting the mission of the TRC, but it would make it harder for them to do their work. Personal matters can and should be worked out without removing another member of this commission, which has already had to adjust to so much turnover. It would be overstepping for the city to intervene in this by removing Ali. Amel Ali is a hardworking, dedicated, and effective commissioner and it would be a tremendous loss to Iowa City to lose her leadership on the TRC. She should not be removed. Thanks, Taylor 2/ Kellie Fruehlin From: Cecilia Martinez <cemartga@hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 8:03 AM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: In Support of Amel t (Date) RfS#� Iowa City Council, Amel did nothing wrong when expressing her views on the ongoing actions of the Council. Her words are her truth and policing her language or tone is just a way of trying to control her and 'keep her in check' and is wrong. I support Amel and she does not deserve to be removed for speaking her truth. On the idea of 'civility': "the concept of civility has also been used as a tool of oppression. A foundational, historical aspect of civility lies in its colonial roots—a demand for non-European people to conform. From the brutal treatment of Native Americans (who were considered "savages" who needed to assimilate into Western culture) to justifications for slavery and other acts of violence and inhumanity, efforts to "civilize" people of color have a long history in what is now the United States." source: https://www.lc,,iriiiii, Kellie Fruehling From: Lina Murillo <localina81 @gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 8:05 AM To: *City Council Subject: Support for Amel Ali At -2 Late Handouts Distributed 9—q --2-Z (Date) I am a resident of Iowa City and am deeply troubled by the situation between a member of the JoCo Board of supervisors and the TRC. Amel Ali is an incredible organizer and social justice activist and intellectual. She's also able to exercise free speech. There should be open, clear, and transparent conversations with the community about her position on the TRC BEFORE she's removed. This should be a community conversation and not a unilateral decision by the city. We should have the opportunity to weigh in during free open comments about what happens next. A county supervisor should have no special say because of their position on the board. They can address the matter like any other resident of the city. Thank you in advance for your consideration, Lina Murillo Kellie Fruehling From: Will Kapp <will.kapp@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 8:08 AM To: *City Council Subject: Do Not Remove Amel Ali R1S�t Hello 2i Late Handouts Distributed (Date) I know Amel from her work with CommUnity (I am not affiliated with CommUnity) and the TRC, as well as personally. Although her comments were inappropriate on the podcast, that is a venue for irreverent conversations and she was not speaking as a member of the TRC. In addition, her work in the community is overwhelmingly positive and this far outweighs any personal slight that Supervisor Porter may have felt. Amel is a wonderful resource in this community and, specifically, on the TRC. Please allow her to stay on as chair and give her a chance to outline how all the good she does for so many vulnerable people far outweighs the bad she has done to one person holding power who had a history of aggressive personal and public communication towards Amel and the TRC. I hope a restorative process can take place for both Royceanne and Amel to make amends and repair their relationship. Will Kapp Kellie Fruehlin From: Hannah Zadeh <hzadeh17@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 8:47 AM To: *City Council Subject: I support Amel Ali Hello, Late Handouts Distributed t—L--��— (Date) I am writing in support of Amel Ali, a member of the TRC who has been unfairly targeted by city administration. Amel is an incredible community leader and an important fixture on the TRC. Amel should not be removed from the TRC. Thank you, Hannah Iowa City Resident This email is from an external source. Kellie Fruehlin� From: Latisha McDaniel-Grife <brufanegra@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 9:04 AM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Concerning Amel Ali (Date) 1 R1SK Good morning coucil members, I am writing you in response to your potential decision to remove Amel Ali from the leadership position of the TRC. This would be a huge mistake considering the amount of time and dedication that Ali has put into this commission. It would also be ill-advised for city government to get involved in a personal conflict between Ali and Porter. The situation at hand deserves more nuance and understanding than what non black people can offer. I would advise that you stay out of intra -racial conflicts and have the parties involved hash it out. I would suggest an independent arbitrator. Thank you for your time. Best regards, Latisha McDaniel-Grife Former CPRB member Former Iowa City resident 1 Late Handouts Distributed -2 -2 (Date) � r wry►��� ' CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (3 19) 356-5000 (3 19) 356-5009 FAX www.lcgov.org City Council Agenda — August 4, 2022 — Special Formal Meeting Information submitted between distribution of packet on Tuesday and 4:00pm on Wednesday. Late Handout(s): 2. Removal of Commission member — See correspondence from Charlie Eastham/Royceann Porter, Mary Kenyon, David Sterling, Natalie Harwood, Anastasia Geffe, Zeru Peterson, Cooper, Amanda Malaski, Tom Brantseg, Clay Moel, Chelsea Bacon, Noelle Parsons, Indira Shemaker, Alisha Sena, Isaac Moel, Bridget Pedersen (x2), Ailis McCardle, Kellie Fruehling From: Charlie Eastham <eastham@outlook.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 2:12 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Cc: Royceann Porter Subject: Negative public comments A1 RJ5K Dear Council Members, (Date) At your joint session with the TRC this afternoon we are asking you to address recent public comments by TRC leadership that are harmful to BVP leaders. Royceann has received a message that says a podcast by the current TRC chair includes "very offensive things about you (Royceann) and other community leaders (calling you 'coons')". Let's have City Commissions that show support for Royceann and all community leaders. Our best to each of you, Charlie Eastham Royceann Porter 1 Kellie Fruehling From: Mary Kenyon <marygkenyon@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 2:56 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Black Voices Project objects to racism & slander by TRC chair T-?�-'-a- (Date) TO: Iowa City City Council FROM: Black Voices Leadership Team RE: Racism and slander perpetrated by TRC Chair Amel Ali Last week it came to our attention that Amel Ali, who was appointed to the Ad -Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission by the Iowa City City Council and selected by TRC members to serve as chair, has appeared on a local podcast, Rock Hard Caucus, on more than one occasion to slander local Black leaders. She has called out a number of Black Voices Project members and other community leaders by name using the most racist and offensive terms, which do not bear repeating in this correspondence. This is far more than an extension of the disagreements between current TRC members and BVP members who had previously resigned from the TRC. She has verbally attacked a whole swath of our local Black community leaders, a choice wholly inconsistent with the charge of the commission she is supposed to be leading. We call on all members of the council to listen to the June 9 and June 16 Rock Hard Caucus podcast episodes and consider the message you are sending when your appointed representative is publicly degrading members of the very community with whom your TRC is supposed to be working to repair fractured relationship. Her choice to speak this way clearly demonstrates that she is not capable of leading us toward reconciliation. She should resign. 4t Kellie Fruehling From: David Sterling <dsterlingic@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 9:40 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Re: Excluded workers and TRC Commissioner Ali, RAL Pool (Date) MR F% Hello council, I am sending this message to reaffirm my support for all excluded workers, including the 319 that were lost in the shuffle. I believe the good intentions of council are more than capable of directing the city to shift the excess ARPA funds. I'm familiar with some of these processes, and it would be easy to fund Iowa City residents that would otherwise be covered by Johnson County. This would free up JoCo's funds and allow dispersement to the 319. As council has expressed enthusiasm for funding these marginalised people, I am confident this will be done. Additionally, I wish to express support for commissioner Ali. Supervisor Porter has a history of antagonizing Ali and her work in a manner that is inappropriate and deplorable for a senior activist. Porter has repeatedly made statements disparaging folks with mental illness, and her antagonism toward young Black abolitionists in the past years have eroded her grassroots support. I do not support commissioner Ali's remarks or support her conduct on the podcast as an acceptable standard for behavior, but it was not representative of the standard Ali sets. She is well -trusted in the grassroots community, and it pains me that her actions under duress and harrassment would be weighed higher than those of Porter in an elevated status. Lastly, I believe the omission of the Robert A Lee pool is a tragedy of caring people not being aware of a process happening. I do not believe that any councilor or resident would have independently suggested the removal of said pool, and the significant community pushback proves it is not a community decision. Thank you for your time. David Sterling They/Them/Theirs 712-212-5761 Kellie Fruehlin From: Natalie Harwood <natalieaharwood@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 8:23 AM To: *City Council Subject: Amel Ali (Date) I am writing to give my support to Amel. She is an organizing powerhouse and a personal hero to me, and she is currently being targeted for blowing off steam with her friends on a subscription based, paywalled podcast where she said nothing that isn't within her free speech rights. This is an attack by one specific man (Nicholas Theissen) who is pretending to be an anonymous member of the BVP, but this is actually a case of misogynistic harrassment. Only one man had the access to pull these recordings and mail them and he's doing it to viciously target her. If not for one man no one would know about the podcast, it's a small show for a group of friends. Please don't fall for a vicious man harrassing and stalking a wonderful local woman. Please do not remove Amel. She has worked unbelievably hard and I have heard personally how many threat ideas she has. It will just blow over if you let it. Thank you for your time. Warmly, Natalie Sent from my iPhone This email is from an external source. Kellie Fruehling From: Anastasia Geffe <anastasiageffe@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 8:43 AM Late Handouts D15l.r10W& To: *City Council Subject: Amel Ali (Date) 6 Hello, I have become aware that a targeted misogynistic and racist attack by Nicholas Theissen against Amel Ali has risen to the point of your attention. I implore you to ignore these attempts by a singular white man to destroy the life of a strong black woman. Amel has been doing good work for the Truth and Reconciliation council for many months; it would be cowardly and unjust to remove her from her position now. Talking on a small podcast behind a paywall should not be of public concern. Our freedom of speech should not be torn away so quickly and completely. If residents of Iowa City start to fear engaging with friends on the internet we will all be much worse off. Please do not remove Amel Ali. She is a great member of our community that deserves our support. Thank you.for your time, Anastasia Geffe Kellie Fruehlincl From: Zeru Peterson <zjpeters.zp@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 9:23 AM To: *City Council Subject: Support Amel Ali Late Handouts Distributed 2 —I�_ (Date) Dear council members, I've lived in Iowa City since I came here for college almost 15 years ago. I've attended many city council meetings as well as organized around labor and internet access for all Iowans because I believe that every person deserves access to these basic rights because they are central to our existence in the 21st century. I've likewise protested against the inclusion of a white nationalist selling at the farmers market who told me and other Jewish citizens like me at the market that we "controlled the banks and media," a fact that the city council refused to acknowledge in any material way. During my time in town I've met and worked with many great people, and Amel Ali is one who has been organizing in this community to not only make sure that all peoples voices are heard but that peoples direct material needs are met. In the time I've known her I can't imagine anyone who has done more for her community than Amel. Meanwhile, the only support the city and city council seems to offer to citizens is increased police funding to terrorize our citizens. This is a question of free speech, specifically the right to question the actions of state powers that control the lives of poor and at risk citizens in Iowa City. When the city says that Amel does not have the right to question or criticize the actions of the city council on a paywall restricted podcast, you disrespect the freedom of speech that every single citizen in this city deserves. If we are not allowed to criticize those in power (even if those in power don't like hearing what's being said) we are not free. If you decide to remove Amel against her will you will be disrespecting the rights of all people in Iowa City who already fear that their voices aren't being heard by the insular environment of city hall. It is because of my faith in the people of Iowa City that I feel the need to defend our rights to free speech among every other right that might be sequentially trampled by the overstepping of self indulgent politicians. In solidarity with Amel Ali, Zeru Peterson he/him/his This email is from an external source. it Kellie Fruehlin :_aLC JJUJJUCU From: Cooper <cooperharwood@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 10:02 AM To: *City Council 3 ^ ��- Subject: Amel Ali (Date) I am writing regarding the recent actions taken against Amel Ali and her role on the TRC. I think it would be detrimental to the city and the commission to let Amel go from this role, as her work as an organizer is impressive and effective and would be incredibly beneficial for the TRC and city. I think letting personal statements made in such an informal context be used as grounds for removal is a net negative for the city and honestly sets a bad precedent. Whatever interpersonal issues motivated the initial complaint about the podcast recordings should not take precedent over the good work Amel can and should be doing within the TRC. Thank you, Cooper This email is from an external source. Kellie Fruehling From: Amanda Malaski <amanda.malaski@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 10:02 AM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Support for Amel — —L 1 (Date) ZRIISK Hello, I think it's abhorrent that the city council is attempting to remove the chair of the TRUTH and reconciliation commission for speaking her truth on a podcast. This is the kind of tone policing misogynoir that constantly harms Black women and it's an absolute shame to see Iowa City engaging in it. How is she ever going to be able to speak truth to power if the city can't even handle her venting to friends? I live in Ames now, but I lived in Iowa City for three great years and I expected far better from Iowa's most progressive city. People are allowed to be frustrated with systems that are failing them! I hope you will do the right thing and respect her freedom of speech and recognize the vindictive motives a white male organizer has in targeting a successful Black woman in this blatantly retaliatory way. It will certainly cast a terrible shadow over Iowa City and the truth and reconciliation commission if a Black woman is removed by the city council for being honest. Regards, Amanda Malaski Kellie Fruehling From: Tom Brantseg <tom.brantseg@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 10:11 AM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council (Date) R1SK Hello, I have seen, with great disgust, that the city council has scheduled a special session to remove the chair of Iowa City's truth and reconciliation commission for a lighthearted appearance on a podcast. This move would signal, quite plainly, that the council is only interested in decorum and in the appearance of addressing the very serious issues the commission exists to address, not in addressing the issues themselves. It would send a very clear signal to the entire community that white decorum and fragile egos are more important than Black people's thoughts and experiences. I was proud to call Iowa City my home for more than ten years, and always took pride in living in a city that was conscientious in being not just another college town, but a place that truly tried, and succeeded, at doing better. If this motion were to succeed, it would show that those days are over, and that the fragile egos of the powerful are really the driving force in Iowa City. Please, remember what this place is, what it has been, and what it can be. Iowa City can be better than an aggrieved ego and wounded pride. It must be. Tom Brantseg University of Iowa BS 2004 University of Iowa Ph. D 2013 -::W2— Kellie Fruehling From: Clay Moel <cmtrojan001 @gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 11:49 AM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Please vote to remove Amel Ali from the TRC Commission I (Date) RISK Hello, I am a life long Iowa City native and have known Amel for a few years. She is not a good person and she should be removed from the TRC Commission. She is an abusive person and does she does not reflect what the TRC claims to represent. -- Clay M. Moel Kellie Fruehling From: Chelsea Bacon <chelsea j.bacon@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 12:26 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: council meeting regarding Amel Ali (Date) i R15f[ Good morning, I am a member of the Iowa City community and I am concerned about the council's ongoing reactions to members of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, particularly the newly elected chair, Amel Ali. It has come to many community members' attention that the council members are holding a special meeting regarding Amel. It is my understanding that the council were given a recording of a local podcast wherein Amel discussed her organizing, her personal and professional background, and her honest experience with the issues of the city council's relationship to the TRC. Having listened to the podcast episode in question, I am troubled to see that the council's reaction is to have a special meeting to discuss the possibility of removing Amel from her position on the TRC. I am even more troubled by the individual who sent the recording to the council who also sent it to Amel's employer. Amel has a proven track record of community organizing, she has worked with the Neighborhood Centers of JC and the South District Neighborhood Association, and has been closely involved with the TRC from its origin. Reviewing the contents of this podcast interview is not an appropriate use of city council authority. Our community members must be able to speak on their lived experiences freely and continue to organize in an official capacity without threat of retaliation from a city council which professes to be on the same side as the TRC's goals. It is a shame that the council would spend precious time on an individual's expression of her first amendment rights, and chilling that a city council who prides itself on these values would think it appropriate to retaliate by removing her from her TRC organizing position. Aligning your actions with an individual who sent the recording to Amel's place of work is shameful and vindictive. Community members recognize when the city council is working to ensure a thriving welcoming community, and we recognize when the council wields its power to silence individuals whose only "offense" is speaking critically on its actions. Our city only thrives when we are able to freely express our experiences. Our institutions of power must answer to its community members, not the other way around. Chelsea Bacon :::112- Kellie ::11-Z. Kellie Fruehling From: Noelle Parsons <parsonseses@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 1:59 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Amel Ali (Date) i RISK Hello. I am an Iowa City resident, writing concerning this article: https: / /www.ress-citizen.com/stor /news/2022/08/02/iowa-cit -council-ma -remove-truth-and- reconciliation-commission-chair/ 10182869002/ I am disgusted by the actions taken by Supervisor Porter as described in the article. The "minor altercation" involving Sup. Porter (who has a recent history of opposition to the TRC) and members of the BVP against members of the TRC is completely unacceptable behavior, especially from an elected official. More noteworthy, though, is that Sup. Porter appears to be leveraging her power as Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors to force changes to the TRC, something that is not in her purview as a Supervisor. I am further disgusted by the response of some members of City Council to Sup. Porter's demand for the immediate removal of Commissioner Amel Ali as Chair of the TRC, based on Sup. Porter's and/or the BVP's distaste for language used by Commissioner Ali on a small, paid -subscribers -only podcast. Council holding an emergency meeting to debate the removal of the chair of a public commission—because of language that a public figure didn't like being used on a podcast—is farcical. No immediate threat of harm to people, the City, or the TRC is caused by "bad words" (particularly the words at issue, which while "ill- - informed," as Ali admits, were used in a context of reappropriation). Who or what is harmed by adding this issue to the next regular session's agenda, if it needs to be added at all? A special session being called to address what appears to be personal beef between a powerful county official and an unpaid, volunteer commissioner is absurd at best and stinks of corruption at worst. Sup. Porter has every right to voice her opinions on the TRC, same as any member of this community. She does not, however, have the right to use her position of authority (or employ/stand by while others employ physical violence, or make threats like "If you don't remove her soon, I'm telling you now, we will remove her") to force her—or anyone's—desired policy and membership changes to a public commission over which she has no official authority. Please call off the special session, or explain the reasons for the urgency. More importantly, Amel Ali should not be removed from her position as Chair of the TRC because a powerful leader and public servant sees an opportunity to use pretext to undermine the important and undervalued work of the TRC. Thank you for your time and consideration. Noelle Parsons P.S. — In the interest of full disclosure: Though I write you today as a resident and constituent, I am employed by Hayek, Moreland, Smith Et Bergus, Councilor Bergus' law office. My comments are my own, made of my own volition after reviewing publicly-available records; my views are not necessarily those of my employer or Councilor Bergus. Ashley Platz From: Sheumaker, Indira D. <IDSheumaker@dmgov.org> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 2:21 PM To: Megan Alter; Laura Bergus; Shawn Harmsen; Pauline Taylor; Bruce Teague; John Thomas; Janice Weiner Cc: *City Council Subject: Special Meeting concerning Amel Ali and Related Comments Late Handouts Distributeu A $-3-�� RISK Hello Iowa City Councilmembers, (Date) My name is Indira Sheumaker, I am a member of the Des Moines City Council, and I am reaching out to you today to address an issue you are facing at a special council meeting tomorrow morning. It is my belief that it will hurt the effectiveness of a very important initiative in your city if Amel Ali is removed from the city's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I am a former resident of Iowa City, and although Des Moines is my home, Iowa City will always stand out as one of my favorite places I have ever lived. A large reason I regard Iowa City so highly is the progress I saw being made in Iowa City in response to the 2020 protests and George Floyd's death. Where Des Moines did not institute significant reforms in 2020, Iowa City did. Where Des Moines had no fight over implementing a TRC, Iowa City backed it. I believe that when Des Moines does not lead in progressive ideals, Iowa City does. As a fellow elected official in the capitol of our state, and a black Iowan and former resident of your city, I look to you for bold moves on progress in Iowa. I will not defend the words Amel used (although I could, given this word has a history and meaning in the black community that should not be taken out of this context as it has; it is unmistakably not a slur in this context). However, I will point out that she has admitted fault and has prioritized the transformative work she could do in your community. Her removal could threaten the effectiveness of this commission. In all honesty, the first implementation of the TRC left me wanting. The actions and goals of former members contributed greatly to my disappointment. I saw what this commission could be and what it clearly was not. However, since its inception, changes in leadership and the clear drive and passion of the commission members to make things better has fully renewed my faith in this effort and, further, has completely exceeded my expectations. Amel Ali, and her leadership, recently in the effort to hire a facilitator to realize the goals of the TRC, make her an irreplaceable asset to this work. While her comments may not be palatable or even kind, they do not warrant her removal. The success of an organization fully depends on the people who are involved, and it can easily be threatened by the people who never believed in its mission in the first place. I agree as with the sentiment that this entire ordeal was an effort to disrupt the work of a city commission that was authorized and entrusted to carry out the will of the City Council. I do not believe the opposition Ali is facing now is presented in good faith. It is an effort to undermine and dismantle the good work of the TRC. If you believe in the mission of this commission, I urge you to defend one of its most influential members. As one member of the Council has stated, "reconciliation" is the mission. Please give Ms. Ali the chance to reconcile with her actions and move forward with her work to improve the lives of your constituents. If any of you would like to speak about this in further depth, I would be absolutely honored to give my perspective as a Black woman in a position of power. The pressures we are under are crushing. I hope you will not contribute further to this onslaught. In Solidarity, Indira Sheumaker Des Moines City Council — Ward 1 All Power to the People Ashley Platz From: Alisha Sena <alishasena11@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 2:42 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: Fwd: Amel has 1st amendment rights too! A (Date) Did you know that according to Cohen v. California, 403 u.s. 503 (1971) the supreme court ruled you can use certain offensive words and phrases to convey political messages? Furthermore this council has no business policing the first amendment rights of a fellow citizen due to personal differences. Amel deserves to remain on the TRC. Going after her for something she said on a podcast might be the most absurd thing I've read this morning and I have already read an article about a fetus gaining personhood in Georgia. Do better. You work FOR US. A concerned citizen, Alisha 1 Ashley Platz From: Isaac Moel <imtrojan96@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 3:43 PM Late Handouts Distributed To: *City Council Subject: TRC Commissioner Amel Ali r _ (Date) 1 RISE{ My name is Isaac Moel, I am a 26 year old cancer survivor and I've been a member of the Iowa City community my whole life. It is absolutely ridiculous to call for the removal of Amel Ali from this Truth and Reconciliation Commussion. Ever since Royceann Porter had been voted out of her position as the original chair of the TRC (which she then left of her own volition instead of sticking around and lending her own voice to the movement) she has been doing all she can to stand in the way of it's mission. It has been clear since this incident that the Iowa City Council has never been fully supporting the committee and it's mission, doing more to create obstacles than move toward any actual reconciliation. Likely because of close personal relationships between Porter and certain committee members. Ali was voted chair unanimously by her colleagues in the TRC and removing her would be just another stunt the council has pulled to stand in the way of reconciliation. Furthermore I don't believe it is at all appropriate for non -black members of the City Council to police the language of a young, black, highly motivated, female activist simply because Porter's feelings got hurt. And let's not forget that Porter herself has made many controversial comments in much more public settings, meanwhile Ali's comments were made amongst friends on a small-time podcast. It would be hypocritical to punish Ali for her comments while so many other things have been let slide. Please focus on more important things like making our city a place I can be proud to call home. Because, after being a proud Iowa City native my whole life, I have become increasingly embarrassed to live in this city that puts the interests of the University and Downtown business owners before the needs of it's more needy citizens. _W9 Ashley Platz From: Bridget Pedersen <bridget.r.pedersen@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 4:03 PM To: *City Council Subject: amel did nothing wrong Late Handouts Distributed S-'3 ` ? (Date) RISK Amel has every right to disagree with the council and she should have the right to speak on that without having to worry about retaliation. Just because you all don't understand the nuances of non-white people using racially charged language doesn't mean you have to subject Amel to the public humiliation that is by design part of tomorrow's meeting. It is clear to me, a person who lives 2 hours away, that this is not about what's best for the TRC because if that's what this was about then you would honor Amel's record of all the great work she's done for the city and you would leave her alone so that she can continue to do that work. Instead, you've chosen to make this about hurt fee fees and bruised egos. You are choosing to weaponize words spoken by a black radical in much the same way liberals have done for decades. You can lie about your intentions, and enough of the right people might be happy to be spoonfed that particular line of bullshit but many no longer are. Many and more are watching, learning, and pointing out your racism and mysogyny to people who are yet unaware. This is a path I would not go down. I would instead call off the meeting, issue Amel an apology, and then maybe actually listen to her suggestions to start. sincerely eat shit, bridget -W g Ashley Platz From: Bridget Pedersen <bridget.r.pedersen@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 4:04 PM To: *City Council Late Handouts Distributed Subject: amel did nothing wrong A RISK (Date) Amel has every right to disagree with the council and she should have the right to speak on that without having to worry about retaliation. Just because you all don't understand the nuances of non-white people using racially charged language doesn't mean you have to subject Amel to the public humiliation that is by design part of tomorrow's meeting. It is clear to me, a person who lives 2 hours away, that this is not about what's best for the TRC because if that's what this was about then you would honor Amel's record of all the great work she's done for the city and you would leave her alone so that she can continue to do that work. Instead, you've chosen to make this about hurt fee fees and bruised egos. You are choosing to weaponize words spoken by a black radical in much the same way liberals have done for decades. You can lie about your intentions, and enough of the right people might be happy to be spoonfed that particular line of bullshit but many no longer are. Many and more are watching, learning, and pointing out your racism and mysogyny to people who are yet unaware. This is a path I would not go down. I would instead call off the meeting, issue Amel an apology, and then maybe actually listen to her suggestions to start. sincerely eat shit, bridget Ashley Platz From: McCardie, Ailis C <ailis-mccardle@uiowa.edu> Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 4:37 PM To: *City Council Subject: TRC & Amel Hello council, Late Handouts Distributed 8-3-22- (Date) My name is Ailis McCardie and I am a Iowa City resident and senior at the UI School of Journalism. I have lived in Iowa my whole life. I am writing to express my concerns about the upcoming meeting pertaining to Ms. Amel Ali. This is clearly an underhanded political hit job of a personal and vengeful nature. The grip Royceann Porter has on Iowa City's systems of governance is not only strange, it is deeply undemocratic. There is no person on this planet who has never spoken freely about their frustrations with local politics or their volunteer work among friends. To lambast Ali for this would be hypocrisy. This was not a widely received podcast and the episodes were behind a paywall-- this is not the same as releasing a public statement on social media or to the press while acting officially on behalf of the TRC. As a CONSTITUENT and TAX PAYER, I completely condemn this extremely disturbing behavior attacking the hard work Ali has done and hopes to continue to do with the TRC. This incident should be incredibly embarrassing to the entire city and action should be swiftly taken to repair the rupture that has clearly occurred between the Board, the Council, and those of us who live here and care about marginalized communities. Thank you, Ailis Ailis McCardle (she/her/hers) University of Iowa Journalism and Mass Communications I Political Science Phone: (319) 530-6022 Email: a11is-mccard1e(r6,u1owa.edu