HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-29-2022 Human Rights CommissionHuman Rights Commission
March 29, 2022
Formal Meeting — 5:30PM
Emma J. Harvat Hall, Iowa City City Hall
Agenda:
1. Call the meeting to order and roll call
2. Reading of Land Acknowledgement
3. Approval of the February 22, 2022, meeting minutes
4. 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)
5. Introduction and Q&A with recently hired Iowa City Police Officers
6. Discussion & Input on Race Based Calls Campaign
7. Funding Request: United Action for Youth
8. Funding Request: Coralville Pride Festival
9. Correspondence: Collaboration Opportunity for Uyghur Human Rights
10. Volunteer to accept the National Fair Housing Month Proclamation (April 2022)
11. Youth Awards (May 11, 2022, New Location Hilton Garden Inn 6PM)
12. Public Works Open House (May 21, 2022, 8am-5pm)
13. Social Justice & Racial Equity Grant for FY22
14. Discuss plan and potential dates for the Strategic Planning for Office and Commission
15. Staff/Commission Announcements (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with one
another concerning said announcements)
16. 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-bowersCa)iowa-city.org. Early
requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
I r i
CITY OF IOWA CITY
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826
(319) 356-5000
(319) 356-5009 FAX
www.icgov.org
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
MARCH 29, 2022, MEETING PACKET CONTENTS
AGENDA ITEM #2
• LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
AGENDA ITEM #3
• DRAFT MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2022
AGENDA ITEM #7
• FUNDING REQUEST: UNITED ACTION FOR YOUTH
AGENDA ITEM #8
• FUNDING REQUEST: CORALVILLE PRIDE FESTIVAL
AGENDA ITEM #9
• CORRESPONDENCE: COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITY FOR
UYGHUR HUMAN RIGHTS
Native American land Acknowledgement
Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human
Rights Commission
PURPOSE
Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land
and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments
in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward
reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land
Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration,
and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also
address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth
and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of
Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To be read at all public meetings and events:
"We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of
Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of
Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because
history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the
ancient connections of many other Indigenous Peoples here. The history of broken
treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands
was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the
Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we
work toward equity, restoration, and reparations."
LEARN MORE
Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide
Meskwaki Nation - History
Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as
members of the public, for their input.
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
February 22, 2022
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Commissioners present: Mark Pries, Tony Siva nthaphanith, Jason Glass, Roger Lusala, Ashley Lindley,
Bijou Maliabo, Ali Ahmed (via Zoom).
Commissioners not present: Sylvia Jons, Sin Bruhn
Staff present: Stefanie Bowers, Daisy Torres.
Recommendation to City Council: Yes. The Human Rights Commission recommends the following
organizations for funding from the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant for FY22.
Meeting called to order: 5:32 PM.
Land Acknowledgement: Lindley read the Land Acknowledgement.
Approval of the minutes from the January 25, 2022, meeting: Pries moved, the motion was
seconded by Lusala. Motion passed 5-0. (Ali, Maliabo not present).
Public comment of items not on the agenda: None.
(Ali present 5:39 PM)
Review of Current Commission Subcommittees & Strategic Plan: The Commission will work on strategic
planning at their March or April meeting. The planning sessions will include a discussion of
subcommittees and areas of focus. Staff will work with the Commission to hire a facilitator who can assist
the Commission on their strategic plan.
(Maliabo present 5:41)
Upcoming meetings: The Commission decided to move its March meeting date from the 22nd to the 291h
Youth Awards: The Youth Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 11`h. The location has
changed from the Englert Theatre to the Hilton Garden Inn. Mayor Teague has agreed to provide remarks
at the event. Nomination forms have gone out and staff will reshare that news release with Commission
members. The event will start at 6PM with a reception and the ceremony will start at 7PM sharp.
Proclamation for International Transgender Day of Visibility: Lindley will accept the proclamation on
behalf of the Commission at the March 22nd Council meeting.
Night of a 1000 Dinners: Night of a 1000 Dinners will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 8. The event is a
community celebration of International Women's Day and is sponsored by the Johnson County United
Nations Association. Three local women led organization (Inside Out Reentry Community, IC Compassion,
Open Heartland) will be recognized and proceeds will be donated to those organizations plus the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees. Maliabo is on the planning committee. Glass has already signed up to attend
and Pries will be signed up by staff.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grants: The Commission received 20 submissions forth e grant for FY22,
one organization withdrew their request. Commissioners Maliabo and Ahmed are not participating in the
grant recommendation this year because they both serve on the Center for Worker Justice Board of
Directors (CWJ) who submitted an application for grant funding.
Staff went over the requirements and rules for the grants. The recommendation to Council for the grants
for FY22 is as follows:
Multicultural Development Center of Iowa: $10,000.00
Open Heartland: $9,000.00
Center for Worker Justice: $18,000.00
Great Plains Action Society: $5,000.00
IC Compassion: $ 15,000.00
Houses into Homes: $15,000.00
Iowa City Area Chinese Association $3,000.00
Five out of 7 organizations are new to the funding. Motion by Pries, seconded by Siva nthaphanith.
Motion passed 5-0. (Maliabo and Ahmed abstained).
The Commission will discuss potential changes to the SJRE grant for FY23 at its April meeting date.
Reports of Commissioners: Maliabo's daughter was recognized for a climate action certificate. Lindley
noted that February 18 was the 80`h anniversary of the Japanese American Internment Camps during
World War 2. Sivanthaphanith spoke on the anti-LGBT bills being introduced in the Iowa legislator. Lusala
has visited local Black owned restaurants to commemorate Black History Month. Pries mentioned
working with the Interfaith Alliance and also events he is participating in related to the 1619 project.
Glass reminded Commissioners of the upcoming MLK Youth Summit scheduled for February 25.
Staff Reports: Torres reported that Kites for Kids will be held in April in Iowa City and also reminded
Commissioners that the peanut butter and jelly donation drive to support CommUnity Crisis Services
and Food Bank ends on February 28.
Adjourned: 6:42 PM.
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Cover Letter (required reading)
Thank you for your interest in seeking sponsorship from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Commission provides
funding to organizations to offset the costs of organizing, planning, and facilitating educational public forums or programs and
activities that are designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions.
Please note that this sponsorship is for reimbursement of expenses. If an organization is awarded funding they must:
1. Submit invoices and/or statements of items/services paid prior to receiving reimbursement.
2. Send their W9 to staff prior to receiving reimbursement.
3. Submit a full (one page) summary of funding impact, including but not limited to, number of persons involved in your
project, anecdotal stories to share about the event, frequency of the event, and other essential information.
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
319-356-5022 or Stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Sponsorship requests are due by 5PM on the third Monday of each month.
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will review the request at their monthly meeting and staff will contact you to let you
know whether the request has been approved.
Please sign here to verify you have read the cover letter to this form. *
�Gffm&"
Application
Date"
2/17/2022
Group/Organizaton Name*
United Action for Youth
Contact person*
Kylie Buddin
Phone number*
319-621-1479
Email*
Kylie.Buddin@unitedactionforyouth.org
Date of activity/event/program*
2/26/2022
If your event occurs on multiple dates, list here
Event location and address*
Robert A Lee Recreaction Center
Is the event wheelchair accessible?*
• Yes
No
Is the event accessible to individuals with visual impairments?*
• Yes
No
Describe the activity/event/program and how it contributes to Human Rights. x
This will be our 4th Dr Martin Luther King Youth Summit. The theme this year is the many
facets of activism. Presenters include the ACLU, Terrance Murphy (Journey Above
Poverty), Monique Cottman (BLM at School), and the area high school students
representing the local BSU's. Students will learn about the various forms of activism our
speakers represent and come up with a plan to implement what they learn at the summit
into their activism.
Amount of funds requested. Attach an itemized budget (field below).
$ 375.00
Attach itemized budget.'
MILK Budget.xlsx 9.09KB
List other funders below:
Iowa City Parks and Recreation is Providing the space for
free
Has this organization applied for any other City of Iowa City funding for this activity/event/program?
Yes
• No
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
Was this request granted?
U Yes
O No
Has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City in the last year?*
O Yes
O No
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
Aid to Agencies
How much funding was requested?
$ 34,500.00
How will this activity/event/program be marketed?
Social Media, Peach Jar, in School Video Displays, Flyers
Will sponsors be mentioned and/or logos be used in the marketing of the activity/event/program?
•, Yes
No
Is the activity/event/program a fundraiser?*
Yes
v No
Cover Letter (required reading)
Thank you for your interest in seeking sponsorship from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Commission provides
funding to organizations to offset the costs of organizing, planning, and facilitating educational public forums or programs and
activities that are designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup tensions.
Please note that this sponsorship is for reimbursement of expenses. If an organization is awarded funding they must:
1. Submit invoices and/or statements of items/services paid prior to receiving reimbursement.
2. Send their W9 to staff prior to receiving reimbursement.
3. Submit a full (one page) summary of funding impact, including but not limited to, number of persons involved in your
project, anecdotal stories to share about the event, frequency of the event, and other essential information.
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers at
319-356-5022 or Stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Sponsorship requests are due by 5PM on the third Monday of each month.
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission will review the request at their monthly meeting and staff will contact you to let you
know whether the request has been approved.
Please sign here to verify you have read the cover letter to this form. *
Application
Date"
2/26/2022
Group/Organizaton Name*
Coralville Pride Festival
Contact person*
Tim Nedoba
Phone number*
319-430=2545
Email*
tim@romllc.us
Date of activity/event/program*
9/4/2022
If your event occurs on multiple dates, list here
Event location and address*
Parking space adjacent to GreenState Credit Union at 1009
2nd Street, Coralville
Is the event wheelchair accessible?'
• Yes
No
Is the event accessible to individuals with visual impairments?"
• Yes
No
Describe the activity/event/program and how it contributes to Human Rights."
Coralville Pride Festival is an LGBTQ+ event for the local community, friends, families, and
allies. The event recognizes the importance of the LGBTQ+ community and offers a day of
fun and interaction, and learning. It's also an important networking event.
Amount of funds requested. Attach an itemized budget (field below).
$ 500.00
Attach itemized budget.*
Coralville Pride Festival presented by GreenSate Credit Union -2022
35.78KB
Budget. pdf
List other funders below:
So far
GreenState Credit Union
Hawkeye title and Settlement
City of Coralville
@ILoveGaylowa
Heart Media CRC IC
Has this organization applied for any other City of Iowa City funding for this activity/event/program?
• Yes
No
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
Iowa City Human Rights Commisson
How much funding was requested?
$ 500.00
Was this request granted?
Yes
�. No
Has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City in the last year?*
O Yes
O No
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
Adverting in GoGuide Magazine
How much funding was requested?
$ 50.00
How will this activity/event/program be marketed?
Coralville Pride Festival will be advertised on iHeart Media radio stations including 100.7
The Fox (most listened to radio station in Johson County). It will appear in print (most likely
Iowa City Press -Citizen) and in GoGuide Magazine. Social Media is being handled by
@ILoveGaylowa. Bus placards.
Will sponsors be mentioned and/or logos be used in the marketing of the activity/event/program?
• Yes
No
Is the activity/event/program a fundraiser?"
• Yes
No
If yes, explain:*
The event is in part an awareness campaign for LII Health
Care LGBTQ+ Clinic
Coralville Pride Festival presented
by GreenState Credit Union
Budget 2022
Anticipated Sponsorship Money
$20,000
Anticipated expenditures
$20,000
Final budget to be prepared May 1, 2022. Final budget will depend on the amount of
sponsorship money received. To date we've spent only $84 on the event. This will
change quickly. All sponsorship money is due by April 1, 2022. April will be our
most expensive month as we reserve all needed infrastructure for the event as well
as all of the marketing materials.
Stefanie Bowers
From:
Human Rights Praxis <humanrightspraxis.sp22@gmail.com>
Sent:
Monday, March 7, 2022 9:45 PM
To:
Human Rig htsCommission
Cc:
delaney-patrick@uiowa.edu; olivia-friederick@uiowa.edu
Subject:
(Urgent) Collaboration Opportunity for Uyghur Human Rights
Attachments:
Uyghur Graphic 2.png; Uyghur IG Story Graphic.JPEG
My name is Grace Wenstrom, and I am a fourth -year student at the University of Iowa. Myself and 5 peers are
participating in a supervised internship with Scholars at Risk --a globally renowned network of advocates
fighting for academic freedom --on behalf of Ilham Tohti, an imprisoned Uyghur scholar. We are reaching out
to ask for your organization's support of our advocacy efforts for Uyghur human rights.
As a brief bit of background, though I'm sure you're familiar, the Chinese government has imprisoned 1+
million Uyghur Muslims in what it is calling "re-education" camps, which, in reality, are sites for forced religious
abdication, political indoctrination, torture, sexual violence, and forced labor. The CCP has rationalized the use
of such camps for deterring so-called "religious extremism" and "separatist" threats. Indicators that have led
Uyghurs to be imprisoned for these "tendencies" include, but are not limited to, having a long beard, appearing
nervous, owning the Torah, and refusing to allow intrusive government homestays.
To advocate for Tohti's release, along with broader Uyghur liberation, we are planning a congressional
advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., in early April. We plan to meet with lawmakers to urge them to 1) co-
sponsor 3 essential bills (listed below) recognizing and combating Uyghur human rights crimes and 2) explicitly
state their condemnation of China's abuses via formal press releases and/or informal social media posts. Our
personal & jurisdictional connections have led us to focus these action items on Cindy Axne (D-IA) and Sharice
Davids (D-KS).
Due to your organization's apparent alignment with these goals, we're asking for your help in
disseminating two key resources:
t. Our GoFundMe - We cannot advocate for Ilham Tohti or the broader Uyghur cause without the
funds to travel to Capitol Hill. Our GoFundMe link is attached, and we would greatly appreciate if you
would distribute it to your staff/members & post it on your social media accounts. (An Instagram story
graphic is attached --feel free to use it!)
2. Our Petition - We need to show lawmakers that the public cares about protecting Uyghur human
rights. To do so, we created a petition, which we are asking people to sign in support of Congress
passing 3 main pieces of rights -affirmative legislation: H.R.4875 (The Uyghur Policy Act of 2021),
S.65 (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act), and H.R.1630 (Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act).
Again, we would greatly appreciate if you would share the petition with your staff/members & post it
on your social media accounts. (An Instagram post graphic is attached --feel free to use it!)
We hope that you see the value of this work and choose to get involved. Thank you for your consideration, and
please reach out with any questions.
Best,
Grace Wenstrom
Human Rights Praxis Student
Scholars at Risk Undergraduate Intern
The following documents were handed
out during the meeting.
Overview: Iowa City Human Rights Office & Commission Strategic Planning
Spring 2022
CONTEXT
The Iowa City Office for Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission have regularly engaged in
strategic planning discussions throughout their organizational history —a history that is approaching the
milestone of 60 years. As has been the case in so many places across America, the past several years
have been especially tumultuous. Now that we seem to be emerging from the worst of the pandemic
and reaching a somewhat steadier state with respect to human rights issues, the opportunity is good to
re-engage in envisioning and planning for the future. The desire is to both create a new strategic plan
and also to develop effective approaches for ensuring the plans are put into motion and carried out.
There will likely be two main types of challenges that are identified during the process: 1) technical
challenges and 2) complex challenges.
• Technical challenges typically have known or knowable solutions requiring expertise to
successfully solve, often in a fairly straightforward manner. Typically, they can be addressed
successfully via traditional strategic planning approaches.
An example of a technical challenge is the charge to create and carry out a program to help local
businesses learn about and take action to protect against implicit bias.
• Complex challenges require novel solutions developed by a team that is collaborating to create
new knowledge and approaches. They are typically solved through an iterative process of
testing ideas and building upon the learning developed in the process.
An example of a complex challenge is the charge to develop a community -wide effort to
dismantle systemic racism.
The framework that will be used for structuring the work to address identified complex challenges is
Strategic Doing•", which is a methodology for strategic thinking, planning, and action within innovating
networks. The foundational value of the approach is trust, since solving complex problems requires that
people have deep, focused conversations, which cannot take place without trust. Strategic Doing
recognizes that we work within complex, always -changing systems. It is also an iterative approach,
focusing on taking incremental actions to work toward transformational change, making adjustments as
needed along the way. This iterative nature of the methodology is reflective of another core value of the
process: action.
A future vision framing question will be developed and used to guide planning sessions. Aframing
question is a tool of appreciative inquiry that invites a group to vividly imagine together a future they
would like to co -create. Rather than focusing on perceived problems, it directs focus toward the positive
future and fosters shared understanding and enthusiasm for the future. An example of a framing
question from another context is this: Imagine a community where agencies and systems don't re -
traumatize those with trauma histories. What would that look like?
PROCESS AND TIMING
The strategic planning process will be organized into three phases, each designed to support the design
and process of the next.
Phase 1: Current -State Analysis
This phase is a means forthe group to develop a shared understanding of the current state, which is
necessary in order for a group to develop a shared vision for the future. Strategy answers the paired
questions of "Where are we going?" and "How will we get there?" Understanding where we are starting
is critical to answering these questions.
1A. Information Gathering: Reviewing documentation and holding conversations with a
representative sample of staff and commission member. (Week of April4)
1B. Survey: Conducting an online survey of staff, commission members, and community
stakeholders to gather input related to key topics identified in Phase 1A. (Survey developed week of
April11; survey open April 18-29)
Deliverables: A written report including survey data analysis, key insights, and a proposed framing
question to guide the work of Phase 2.
Phase 2: Envisioning the Future
Workshops for staff and commission members will be structured to address the following:
Creating a shared vision for the future
Exploring "What could we do?"
Evaluating "What should we do?"
Committing to "What will we do?"
Priorto each workshop, participants will be provided with preparation materials.
Workshops will be held at dates TBD in the first three weeks of May.
Deliverables: Workshop design, materials (including participant preparation materials), facilitation, and
documentation.
Phase 3: Articulating the Plan
A written report will be developed. It will document the planning process, describe the plan developed
by the group, and make recommendations for implementation. (By June 10)
Option: Implementation Support
Assuming the group identifies priorities that entail addressing complex challenges, and assuming small
groups/teams will be formed to work on specific issues, the option stands to include training, coaching,
and templates for using Strategic Doing to address these complex challenges. The goal of this process
would be to provide tools and processes for teams to adapt to their needs, allowing them to rapidly
become self-sufficient and make incremental progress on the issues over time.
p. 2
From: City of Iowa City: Do Not Reoly
To: Stefanie Bowers
Subject: Upcoming Public Works Open House features a day of family fun— roller skating, quilts, & more!
Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022 10:30:49 AM
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/23/2022
Contact: Ron Knoche, Public Works Director
Phone: 319-356-5138
Upcoming Public Works Open House features a day of family
fun — roller skating, quilts, & more!
are
❑®
Put it on your calendars!
The City's Public Works Open House on Saturday, May 21, 2022, will be a one -of -a -kind event
featuring indoor roller skating, a quilt show, an outdoor movie screening, live music, food vendors, and
an open house exploring the new, award -winning Public Works facility!
Running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3810 Napoleon Lane, the event is a collaboration with the Old Capitol
Quilters Guild. The entire Public Works facility will be draped in beautiful, handmade quilts from local
quitters. Even the City's massive snowplows will be included in quilt displays!
The Open House will also include numerous City -centric activities, including:
• Tours of the new 99,000 square -foot Public Works facility.
• A City Services Showcase: booths and activities showcasing City services.
• A free screening of the "Field of Dreams" movie at nearby Napoleon Park at 7 p.m., hosted by
Summer of the Arts.
The event will provide the first opportunity for the general public to explore the new Public Works
Building, which received an award from Architect Magazine.
The Open House is being held during National Public Works Week, which celebrates the incredible
accomplishments that public works professionals do every day in cities across the country.
More details about the Open House, including live music and other fun activities being announced, will
be released in the coming weeks. Visit icaov.org/PublicWorksWeek.
n
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This email was sent to stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org using GwDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf
of. City of Iowa City 410 E Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 1 ❑
From:
Stefanie Bowers
To:
Human Riahts Praxis
Cc:
HumanRiahtsODmmission
Subject:
Re: (Urgent) CDllaboretion Opportunity for Uyghur Human Rights
Date:
Monday, March 21, 2022 6:59:21 PM
Attachments:
We sent you safe versions of your files.mso
Uyahur IG Post (UDdated).Ddf
Good evening,
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission has this as an agenda item for their meeting of
Tuesday, March 29. I will follow up with you after they have met and discussed this item.
Sincerely,
Stefanie
On Mar 21, 2022, at 6:54 PM, Human Rights Praxis
<humanrightspraxis.sp224gmail.com> wrote:
Mimecast Attachment Protection has deemed this file to be safe, but always exercise caution when
opening files.
Hello,
Just following up on this email; my peers and I are still very interested in working
with the Human Rights Commission to broaden awareness about Uyghur
persecution as well as our responding advocacy efforts. I'm attaching an updated
Instagram graphic because we slightly shifted the legislative bills we're
advocating for in order to maximize impact. As you'll notice, we replaced S.65,
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, with S.590, the CONFUCIUS Act. A
different version of the former was enacted in late 2021; thus, we've instead
chosen to uplift the latter, which addresses --and attempts to limit --undue Chinese
influence on U.S. post -secondary institutions
We hope to hear from you.
Best,
Grace
On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 9:44 PM Human Rights Praxis
<humanri hg_tspraxis.sp22(ugmail.com>wrote:
Hello,
My name is Grace Wenstrom, and I am a fourth -year student at the
University of Iowa. Myself and 5 peers are participating in a supervised
internship with Scholars at Risk --a globally renowned network of advocates
fighting for academic freedom --on behalf of Ilham Tohti, an imprisoned
Uyghur scholar. We are reaching out to ask for your organization's
support of our advocacy efforts for Uyghur human rights.
As a brief bit of background, though I'm sure you're familiar, the Chinese
government has imprisoned 1+ million Uyghur Muslims in what it is calling
"re-education" camps, which, in reality, are sites for forced religious
abdication, political indoctrination, torture, sexual violence, and forced labor.
The CCP has rationalized the use of such camps for deterring so-called
"religious extremism" and "separatist' threats. Indicators that have led
Uyghurs to be imprisoned for these "tendencies" include, but are not limited
to, having a long beard, appearing nervous, owning the Torah, and refusing
to allow intrusive government homestays.
To advocate for Tohti's release, along with broader Uyghur liberation, we are
planning a congressional advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., in early April.
We plan to meet with lawmakers to urge them to 1) co-sponsor 3 essential
bills (listed below) recognizing and combating Uyghur human rights crimes
and 2) explicitly state their condemnation of China's abuses via formal press
releases and/or informal social media posts. Our personal & jurisdictional
connections have led us to focus these action items on Cindy Axne (D-IA)
and Sharice Davids (D-KS).
Due to your organization's apparent alignment with these goals, we're
asking for your help in disseminating two key resources:
1.
2.
Our GoFundMe - We cannot advocate for Ilham Tohti or the broader
Uyghur cause without the funds to travel to Capitol Hill. Our
GoFundMe link is attached, and we would greatly appreciate if you
would distribute it to your staff/members & post it on your social
media accounts. (An Instagram story graphic is attached --feel free to
use it!)
Our Petition - We need to show lawmakers that the public cares
about protecting Uyghur human rights. To do so, we created a
petition, which we are asking people to sign in support of Congress
passing 3 main pieces of rights -affirmative legislation: H.R.4875 (The
Uyghur Policy Act of 2021), S.65 (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention
Act), and H.R.1630 (Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act). Again,
we would greatly appreciate if you would share the petition with your
staff/members & post it on your social media accounts. (An
Instagram post graphic is attached --feel free to use it!)
We hope that you see the value of this work and choose to get involved.
Thank you for your consideration, and please reach out with any questions.
Best,
Grace Wenstrom
Human Rights Praxis Student
Scholars at Risk Undergraduate Intern
Scholars at Risk Undergraduate Intern
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• Uyghur Justice
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