HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman RIghts Commission August 2021 PacketHuman Rights Commission
August 24, 2021
Formal Meeting – 5:30PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall, Iowa City City Hall
Agenda:
1. Call the meeting to order and roll call
2. Reading & Discussion of Land Acknowledgment
3. Introductions of Commission members
4. Approval of the July 27, 2021 meeting minutes
5. Public Commend 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)
6. Jason Genck: Iowa City Comprehensive Recreation Facilities and Program Master Plan
7. American Rescue Plan & The Excluded Workers Fund Discussion
8. Subcommittees: Housing, Anti-Racism, Health Equity
9. Commission statement in support of Black Lives Matter
10. Social Justice Racial Equity Grant Reports FY21
11. National Hispanic American Heritage Month Proclamation
12. Human Rights Breakfast
13. Staff/Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one
another concerning said announcements).
14. Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this meeting please contact Human
Rights Coordinator, 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.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
AUGUST 24, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
AGENDA ITEM #4
• DRAFT MINUTES FROM JULY 27, 2021
AGENDA ITEM #8
• COMMISSION STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF BLACK LIVES
MATTER
AGENDA ITEM #9
• FINAL REPORTS FROM RECIPIENTS OF SJRE GRANT FY20
CORRESPONDENCE
• FIXING THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE, SESSION 2
• SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS
• SAVE THE DATE: FREEDOM RIDER, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST,
AND FILMMAKER
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
July 27, 2021
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Commissioners present: Mark Pries, Jessica Andino, Ashley Lindley (via phone), Jason Glass, Bijou
Maliabo, Roger Lusala, Tony Sivanthaphanith.
Commissioners not present: Adil Adams.
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers, Daisy Torres.
Others present: Kevin Rivera, Wangui Gathua, Temple Hiatt, Tiffany Adrain, Lo Whittington.
Recommendation to City Council: Yes, the Human Rights Commission recommends that the City
Council adopt the land acknowledgement at their meetings and formal events and also require other
City boards and commissions to do the same. Motion passed 7-0.
Meeting called to order: 5:31 PM.
Approval of the minutes from the June 22, 2021 meeting: Lusala moved, the motion was seconded by
Pries. Motion passes 7-0.
Public comment of items not on the agenda: None.
Conversation with Be Smart: Be Smart is a program aimed at adults. Firearms are the second cause of
death of children. For Black children it is the first cause of death. A quarter of guns stolen are taken from
a vehicle. The Be SMART framework is designed to help parents and adults normalize conversations
about gun safety and take responsible actions that can prevent child gun deaths and injuries. Smart is
an acronym for Secure (all guns in your home and vehicles), Model (responsible behavior around guns),
Ask (about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes), Recognize (the role of guns in suicide), Tell
(your peers to be SMART).
Discussion of including a Land Acknowledgement as a part of HRC meetings: Commissioners and two
members of the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) spoke on the work and research
that was completed to put the acknowledgement together. Motion to approve the land
acknowledgement by Lindley, seconded by Sivanthaphanith. Motion passes 7-0.
Andino moved for the Commission to recommend that the City Council adopt the land
acknowledgement to be used at their meetings and formal events and also require other City boards
and commissions to do the same, the motion was seconded by Lusala. Motion passes 7-0. This
recommendation is dependent upon the agreement by TRC as to its contents.
Members of the Commission and the TRC will form a taskforce to meet with elders and Indigenous
leaders on an ongoing basis. Lindley and Rivera will serve on this taskforce.
Update Diversity Markets from the South District Neighborhood Association: Several members of the
Commission attended the diversity markets. The Commission reviewed the report sent by the South
District on the success of the markets.
Discussion of the American Rescue Plan Act Funds: Commissioners discussed and heard about the
Excluded Workers Coalition that works to demand fair and equitable allocations of the funds to front
line workers and those most heavily impacted by the pandemic including but not limited to persons who
are immigrants, undocumented, or formerly incarcerated. Staff will send out the link to the Commission
on the presentation that the Catholic Worker House did for the TRC back in May of 2021.
HRC Subcommittees: Housing: No update. Anti-Racism: On June 28 there was a virtual screening of
Stonewall Forever that was followed by a panel discussion. There was also a presentation done to the
AM Rotary upon their request for implicit bias training. There is a plan to do another program in August
on implicit bias. Health Equity: the group does not meet regulary but members have been working on
matters of health and equity in the community in their individual capacity.
Commission Statement in Support of Black Lives Matter: Comments were made on how well written
the updated statement is that continues to support Black Lives Matter.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grants: Several of the organizations granted funding in the last year
have submitted their final year ending reports including Little Creations and Inside Out Reentry. The
year ending reports are not due until July 31, 2021.
National Hispanic American Heritage Month Proclamation: Andino will accept the proclamation at the
September 7, 2021 City Council meeting.
Reports of Commissioners: Andino is preparing for a qualifying exam scheduled for the first week in
August. Glass recently returned from his various assignments in the Army Reserves. Pries updated the
Commission on his work in Cedar County and that his son was recognized as Iowa Coach of the Year.
Lusala is delighted to see everyone in person. Maliabo is currently fostering 3 children for whose
families she had served as an interpreter for in family court. Sivanthaphanith has been gearing up for IC
Pride and is expecting a lot more people to show up for this year’s festivities. Sivanthaphanith will be
stepping down from their position with IC Pride later this year to do global marketing for LGBTQ.
Adjourned: 6:50.
Human Rights Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2021
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP. 1/26 2/23 3/23 4/27 5/25 6/22 7/27 8/24 9/28 10/26 11/23 12/28
Adil Adams 2021 X X E X X X
Jessica Andino 2021 X X X X X X
Noemi Ford 2021 E X E E E --
Jason Glass 2022 X X X X X O/E
Ashley Lindley 2021 X X X X X X
Roger Lusala 2023 X X E X X X
Bijou Maliabo 2023 X X X X X X
Mark Pries 2022 X X X X X O/E
Tony Sivanthaphanith 2023 - - - X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
--- = Not a Member
E
X
--
X
X
X
X
X
X
7/19/2021 Human Rights Commission's statement on continued support of Black Lives Matter | City of Iowa City
https://www.icgov.org/news/human-rights-commission%27s-statement-continued-support-black-lives-matter 1/4
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
We are part of a society where the lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color continue to be
affected by structural racism, lack of opportunity, health disparities, and direct violence by the police
and others. American cities, including Iowa City, have for too long been complacent or complicit.
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission hereby reaffirms its longstanding commitment, and pledges
to more fully act in solidarity with all who are targets of this violence and inequity.
The Commission recognizes the ongoing oppression occurring not just in police departments, but
also eviction courts, legislatures, banks, academia, and hospitals. Additionally, this includes any space
where Iowa City has been complacent about and complicit in the eradication of intellectual and
cultural contributions by Black, Indigenous and People of Color, as well as women, and ignores the
racism present in the contributions of white people and the sexism present in the works of males.
We pledge the following actions to embody our affirmation that Black Lives Matter.
We will continue to uplift the contributions of nonwhite, non-male, and non-Eurocentric people
in our recommendations to the Iowa City City Council and support events dedicated to their
recognition.
We will actively confront racism, sexism, or other forms of bias within the work of the
Commission or City of Iowa City by pursuing training to increase our awareness of our racism,
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sexism and bias.
We will support City departments’ efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We will plan and promote additional programming opportunities focused on understanding
oppression and recognizing the contributions of people from underrepresented groups, as well
as promoting widespread discussion of related issues and concerns.
The differential valuing of life, achievement, opportunity, and intellectual and cultural contributions
based on which racialized group one is thought to be a member of is manifestly unjust. It compels us
to repeat, internalize, and act on the affirmation that Black lives matter. Black lives do matter, and
our collective practices, discourses, policies, and laws must reflect this. Black lives matter for the
same reason that everyone’s life matters; yet we are compelled to affirm that Black lives matter
precisely because institutions, practices, and behaviors have so long denied it.
We are committed to continuously engaging the people of our community in dialogue and action to
realize a world in which “Black lives matter” is a simple description of how we all live.
Until that world is achieved, we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Date of publication
Thursday, July 01, 2021
Department
Equity and Human Rights
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8/18/2021 Iowa City Human Rights Commission seeking nominations for 38th Annual Human Rights Awards
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAIOWA/bulletins/2ecf572 1/2
Iowa City Human Rights Commission seeking nominations for 38th Annual Human Rights Awards
City of Iowa City sent this bulletin at 08/17/2021 02:07 PM CDT
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 08/17/2021 Contact: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director Phone: 319-356-5022
Iowa City Human Rights Commission seeking nominations
for 38th Annual Human Rights Awards
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is seeking nominations for its 38th Annual Human Rights
Awards.
Individuals, businesses, or organizations whose ongoing work, service, or contributions have positively
impacted Human Rights either locally or abroad may be nominated in the following categories:
The Isabel Turner Award: For working for the rights of individuals to get fair and ethical treatment
and/or volunteering time to an organization or business that works for these.
Rick Graf Award: For long-term commitment of an individual, business, or individual with a service
organization, to a specific cause or for the benefit of a specific group of persons.
Linda Severson Award: For outstanding contributions to human rights by an individual in a service
organization.
International Award: For significant contributions to human rights in the global community.
Bill Reagan Business/Community Award: For outstanding contributions to human rights by a
business or organization.
Kenneth Cmiel Award: For active contributions to the field of human rights by a college or graduate
student.
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How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations can be submitted online. Nominations are open until Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
The Awards Ceremony
The awards will be presented on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 in a small ceremony at City Hall, 410 E.
Washington Street, Iowa City.
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8/18/2021 Save the date: Freedom Rider and Civil Rights activist to speak at Englert Theatre Sept. 22
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Save the date: Freedom Rider and Civil Rights activist to speak at Englert Theatre Sept. 22
City of Iowa City sent this bulletin at 08/18/2021 09:07 AM CDT
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 08/18/2021 Contact: Stefanie Bowers, Equity Director Phone: 319-356-5022
Save the date: Freedom Rider, Civil Rights activist and
Filmmaker to speak at Englert Theatre Sept. 22
In recognition of the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides of 1961, the Office of Equity and Human
Rights has the pleasure of hosting Freedom Rider and Civil Rights Activist Joan Trumpauer
Mulholland and her son, filmmaker Loki Mulholland, from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the
Englert Civic Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Seating will be limited due to the COVID-19
pandemic. This event will be live streamed on Zoom. There is no cost to attend or participate.
The evening will include a film screening of "An Ordinary Hero: The True Story of Joan Trumpauer
Mulholland," directed by Loki Mulholland. Afterward, Abena Imhotep Sankofa of Sankofa Literary
Group of Des Moines will moderate an in-panel discussion with Joan and Loki. The two will answer
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questions about the film as well as their continued Civil Rights and anti-racism work through the Joan
Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation. Founded in 2014, the foundation began with a goal to preserve,
share and continue Joan's legacy. Its goal is to educate people about the Civil Rights Movement and
how they can make a difference in their community.
Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, a recipient of the 2015 National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award, is
a Civil Rights icon who participated in over 50 sit-ins and demonstrations by the time she was 23 years
old. She was a Freedom Rider, a participant in the Jackson Woolworth’s Sit-in, the March on
Washington, the Meredith March, and the Selma to Montgomery March. She was the first white
student to enroll at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi and served as the local secretary of
the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She also became the first white member to
be initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the largest African American Greek Sorority. For her
actions, she was disowned by her family, attacked, shot at, cursed at, put on death row, and hunted
down by the Klan for execution. Her path has crossed with some of the biggest names in the Civil
Rights Movement: Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, Diane Nash,
and Julian Bond. She has appeared in numerous books and documentaries and has received
numerous awards and recognition for her work in the Civil Rights Movement.
Loki Mulholland is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and activist. An Emmy-winning producer who
has received 40 Telly Awards, Loki’s films on race and social justice issues have won 14 Best
Documentary awards including the National Black Film Festival for his film on institutional racism, “The
Uncomfortable Truth”. His first book, “She Stood For Freedom” was nominated for the 2017 Amelia
Bloomer Award.
Through the Mulhollands' work, they have found that the most effective way to change racist ideology
is to begin with education. Racism is a learned behavior. Adults and children alike can benefit from a
change in perspective and an increased awareness of the past.
The Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation takes a multi-faceted approach to educating people on
anti-racism. Through classroom curricula, documentary films, podcasting, books, speaking
engagements, and school assemblies, they cater to the different ways people can best understand
new concepts and reframe old ones.
To register
Details on how to receive a complimentary ticket for the in-person event or to view via Zoom will be
released at a later date.
If you need disability-related accommodations to participate in this program, please contact Equity
Director Stefanie Bowers at 319-356-5022 or stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests are
strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Questions? Contact Us
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