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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-24 Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission - RevisedAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Thursday, May 2, 2024 Regular Meeting 7 PM — Emma Harvat Hall, City Hall 410 E. Washington Street AGENDA: 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. READING OF NATIVE AMERICAN LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (COMMISSIONERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS.) 5 MINUTE MAXIMUM FOR EACH SPEAKER. 0n1v in person comments will be alloived fbr Public Comment. Public comment for specific agenda items, which must be directly related to that agenda item, may be made in -person or remotely. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM APRIL 4, 2024 5. FOLLOW UP & DEBRIEF FROM THE TRC PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL 6. FACILITATOR'S FINAL REPORT UPDATE 7. TRC BUDGET UPDATE & REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS 8. NEXT STEPS FOR PHASE THREE AND FOUR 9. ANNOUNCEMENTSOF 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STAFF 11. ADJOURNMENT In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meetingis in -person, and those wishing to ensure their ability to participate should attend the meeting in -person. If you instead wish to participate remotely, youmay attempt to do so by joining the below link. First Thursday Meetings ID: 867 2424 8095 Third Thursday Meetings ID: 895 3695 0485 If you have no computer or smartphone, or a computer without a microphone, you can call in by phone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting ID when prompted. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all City of Iowa City -sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in these events, please contact the Office of Equity and Human Rights at 319-356-5022 or humanriahtsna Iowa-citv.ora. 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. Agenda Item #4 April 4, 2024 Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes The Assembly Room, Iowa City Senior Center Commissioners present: Amos Kiche, Cliff Johnson, Chastity Dillard, Lauren Merritt, Wangui Gathua. Commissioners on Zoom: Chad Simmons. Commissioners not present: Louis Tassinary. Staff present: Redmond Jones, Stefanie Bowers. Recommendation to City Council: No. Meeting called to order: Approximately: 7:15 PM. Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Merritt read the Land Acknowledgements. Debrief from Fact -Finding and Truth -Telling Events: Commissioner Johnsons shared his thoughts on the truth -telling events, stating he thought the event(s) went well and there was growth with the work that was done. Johnson also mentioned the idea of expanding these events into the community to get others involved. Commissioner Kiche shared that he learned a lot from those who participated in the events. Kiche was able to learn more about what goes on in the community including how small business owners are affected and how systems (school system, legal system) have failed individuals. Kiche suggested vetting people who will be speaking at truth -telling events with more detail and communication to avoid surprises during the events. Kiche also suggested sticking to guidelines on how the events should operate. Commissioner Merritt agreed on the idea of a vetting process for the purpose of safety and productivity in future events. Merritt also shared that there is potential to do more with these events in the future. Commissioner Simmons spoke about the positive aspects of the events, including the process of events (fact finding, truth telling, and healing circles). Simmons shared that the event was not consistent with the model discussed regarding how the events would operate. Simmons also shared that there is a need for better understanding of the systems (police, education, housing) that the commission is working to fix to come up with solutions they can present to the city to bring about improvements for the community. Merritt suggested implementing time to process each tenth -telling and putting aside additional time to brainstorm options for solutions. Johnson recommended more advertisement to get more people involved. Commissioner Gathua suggested implementing a stricter time limit where people stop speaking once the time is up (like what is done in city meetings). Gathua also suggested being better prepared and tentative to any rising tension during the events. Commissioner Dillard shared the need for community involvement and for the commission to go to community members and share what they have learned to help the con unity. Dillard shared strengths from the meeting including the process, mobile -crisis partners, and healing circles. Dillard also suggested providing more healing circles for the community and a vetting process for future truth -tellers. Dillard mentioned the need for the commission to present as a united front centered around the message of racial injustice. Facilitator Dr. Lary Schooler acknowledged the work the commission has done and shared he agrees with the need for separate time to absorb the stories told at each event. Phase 2: Budget Update, Request for Additional Funds from the City Council, Nest Steps & Follow-up: Johnson suggested reaching out to community members through churches to get more involvement at truth -telling events. Dillard revisited the commissioners north star framing question that represents the commission's guiding vision. Dillard suggested taking what the commission has learned, along with the model of the north star framing question and using it to reconnect with the community and gather data/ information to use for the recommendation they will present to the council. Simmons asked what the overall message is that the commission is intending to deliver to the council on April 16th. Dillard answered that the commission will share that there is still work to be done. Simmons followed up by asking if the commission does not receive funding will it stop the work they are currently doing. Dillard answered that if the city wants the commission to do the work that they have asked them to do then the commission will need the money to move forward. Johnson agreed that The City needs to be held accountable for what they set out to achieve with this commission. Johnson also mentioned the possibility of sponsorships for funding. Commissioners discussed the importance of city involvement and what the future of the commission would look like without it. Dillard then brought up the need for increased community support. A solution presented was providing more healing circles to the community which would then lead to people who may be interested in the commission work. Merritt suggested an advertising budget. Dillard emphasized the importance of word of mouth to get community members involved. Johnson suggested a digital billboard advertising. Dillard brought up the upcoming April 16'h meeting with council and proposed moving the meeting back to give more time to provide an itemized list of what the proposed increase budget would be used for. Facilitator Annie Tucker brought up the importance of the April 16Ih meeting regarding the facilitation team that reports to council. Schooler asked for clarification on what the city believes to be the commissions obligations under the contract relative to the presentation planned for April 16`h. Redmond Jones clarified that the contract speaks to a joint effort to put together a closing of the activities and recommendations that the facilitators have brought to the commission. Dillard stated the need for the commission to present on progress on April 16rh and to then schedule an additional meeting where budget and funding is discussed in detail. Schooler clarified that the facilitators' role is to both report on the TRC's progress and to provide a set of recommendations to allow the TRC to continue once their contract with the facilitators ends. Simmons shared that he does not think it is a good idea for the commission to go to the April 16`h meeting without a full presentation including budget. Simmons shared the political nature of the meeting suggests what the commission is bringing to the meeting will benefit the city rather than simply updating them on progress. Simmons suggested to go to the city and ask to move back the date. Simmons agreed to support whatever final decision is made by the commission. 2 The commission had to consider contractual obligations regarding the date of the meeting with council and infornation presented by Jones resulting in a final decision to present a progress report and highlights of their plans moving forward with a promise of additional budget information in May. Commissioners discussed who would oversee giving the presentation to the council at the April 16th meeting. It was decided Simmons and Merritt will present to the City Council. Announcements of Commissioners: None. Announcements of Staff: Jones stated there will be a budget report available at a future date. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 PM. The full meeting video can be viewed at this link. AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2024 (Mectine Date) NAME TERM EXP. 1/4 1/25 2/1 2/15 3/7 1114 1111 3/20 3/21 4/4 4/18 5/2 5/16 6/6 6/20 Dillard 12/31/24 Z P P P P P P P P P Gathua 12/31/24 P P P P A P P P P P Kiche 12/31/24 - - - P P P P P P P Johnson 12/31/24 A P P P P P P P P P Vacant 12/31/24 - - - - - - - - - - Merritt 12/31/24 P Z P P Z P P P P P Nobiss 12/31/24 Z Z Z A A A A P P R Simmons 12/31/24 P P P P P P P A P Z Tassinary 12/31/24 P A P P P P P P P A P = Present in person A = Absent Z = Zoom Agenda Item #7 Truth &Reconciliation Commission Chastity Dillard - Chair Wangui Gathua Clifton Johnson Amos Kiche Lauren Merritt - Vice Chair Chad Simmons Louis Tassinary Revised April 14, 2024 Phase One: System Design Learning August 2023 - October 2023 Traininc sessions Opening Session (Aug) Strategic Doing (Sep) Fact Finding (Sep) TRC Worldwide Models (Oc- Healing Circles (Feb 2024) Phase Two: System Design Practice January 2024 - April 2024 Developing Our Story in Public r"I Organization /Community Support (Mar) " Will be incorporated during Phase Four Phase Three: Subject Matter Experts May 2024 - August 2024 Part 1: Areas of Interest Part II: Community Projects U Social Justice Mkl Economic Development • Public Presentation • Educator's Work Group Education 9 Housing Work Group • Social Justice Work Group • Small Business Work Group Ip Phase Four: Execute Truth Telling Model September 2024 - December 2024 Developing Our Story r � Organizati /Communit Sponsor Final Report Film Documentary Final TRC Public Meeting Public Forum Truth &Reconciliation Commission Questions &Answers Chastity Dillard - Chair Wangui Gathua Clifton Johnson Amos Kiche Lauren Merritt - Vice Chair Chad Simmons Louis Tassinary Revised April 14, 2024 Late Handout IOWA CITY TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION FINAL REPORT Written by: Native Partners: Donnielle Wanatee, Terry Medina, and Manape LaMere Healing Partners: V Fixmer-Oraiz and Annie Tucker Kearns & West: Larry Schooler and Laurel Cohen Think Peace Learning & Support Hub: Eduardo Gonzalez, Melinda Salazar, David Ragland, Leo Hylton, and Jena Kitchen Prepared: April 2024 Acknowledgements It is with deep gratitude that we thank the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission members, past and present, who fundamentally shaped the course of history in Iowa City and how racial harm is addressed. This is no small task, and it takes each and everyone of us committing everyday to call out institutionalized racism and the forces that uphold it. It is our hope that this commission continues the courageous work it was tasked with undertaking, and that our time together was beneficial. We would like to especially thank: Commissioners: Chastity Dillard (Current Chair) Wangui Gathua Amos O Riche Marie Krebs Clifton Johnson Lauren Merritt (Current Vice -Chair) Sikowis Nobiss Chad Simmons Louis Tassinary Iowa City City Council Members: Mayor Bruce Teague Mayor Pro Tern Mazahir Salih Megan Alter Laura Bergus Andrew Dunn Shawn Harmsen Joshua Moe With a note of thanks to Laura Bergus and former City Councilor Janice Weiner for drafting Resolution 20-228 in 2020, which created the TRC. To all those who came before us, we are grateful for your hard work and sacrifice that got us where we are today. May we be the future ancestors that the world needs. 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements 1 Table of Contents 3 Executive Summary 5 Timeline: Seven Months with the Facilitators 8 Alignment with Iowa City's Strategic Plan 10 Recommendations 11 Recommendations for the TRC 11 Short-term Recommendations 11 General Recommendations 12 Recommendations for the City Council 14 Recommendations for the public 15 Barriers to Success 15 Successes 18 Truth -Telling 18 Fact Finding 18 Reconciliation 21 Closing Remarks 23 Appendices 24 Organizational Documents 25 TRC Duties 30 TRC Potential Partners 31 Potential Venue Information 38 Venue Preparation Notes 40 Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission Glossary (2023) 42 Steps to Prepare for Truth Telling Hearings / Healing Circles events 47 Community Encounters for Truth and Reconciliation 48 Truth -Telling 57 Trauma -Informed Truth Telling and Witnessing Protocol 59 Fact Finding 75 Data presented to TRC February 1, 2024 76 Disproportionate Minority Contact Study 78 Previous Findings 79 Data presented to TRC March 18, 2024 83 Reconciliation 113 On Reconciliation 114 Talking Circle 119 Concept: Restorative Justice Network 123 3 n Executive Summary Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was founded in response to widespread protests against police violence and in support of Black lives in the summer of 2020. The Iowa City City Council directed two of its members to work with community members to create a mandate for the TRC. After input from representatives of the Iowa Freedom Riders, Black Voices Project, the South District Neighborhood Association, the University of Iowa's Center for Human Rights, and others, the City Council adopted the TRC's guiding document, Resolution 20-228, on September 15, 2020. The TRC was originally slated to dissolve on June 30, 2022. The City Council appointed the first TRC commissioners in November 2020. The TRC held its first meeting on December 21, 2020. Thereafter, the TRC has met every two weeks and at least twice per month, with two one -month pauses. Since its inception, several commissioners have resigned, sometimes under politically charged circumstances. Clashes between people of different ages, ideologies, and racial and ethnic identities resulted in questions about the TRC's ability to succeed. New commissioners have been appointed. As of the writing of this report, there are two current vacancies on the commission. In its mandate, the TRC was tasked with selecting a facilitator to support its work. Like other aspects of the TRC, the identity and appointment of the facilitator was controversial. While the City Council allocated financial support for the TRC in its $1,000,00o fund to address racial injustice, it was not until May 2023 that the City Council approved contracts for facilitation to support the TRC. Concurrently, the City Council extended the end date of the TRC to December 31, 2024. (The duration of the commission had previously been extended one year, to June 30, 2023.) In the Summer of 2023, the facilitators and TRC commissioners began their work in earnest. This report is based on a project that could easily entail years of effort from many aspects of the Iowa City community. However, a number of political and practical obstacles converged to result in a tight timeframe of only seven months of facilitated work with the commission. In this short time, the TRC has completed tasks associated with fact finding, truth telling, and reconciliation. Through a series of educational workshops, facilitated meetings, and public events, TRC Commissioners have involved the Iowa City community (especially communities of color) in their initial steps in carrying out its unique mission. Ass detailed in City Council Resolution 20-228, this report hones in on the TRC's recommendations to City Council, including: 1) Institutional and policy reforms to end systemic racism; 2) Opportunities to create new social practices, expectations, protocols, habits, rituals and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and harmony; 3) Measures to enhance the autonomy/security/sovereignty of communities of color and mitigate disparities in social and economic power; and 4) A recommendation on whether and in what form the work of the Commission should continue. 5 The TRC, in partnership with facilitators and City staff, hosted its first fact-finding events, truth telling events, and circle events for reconciliation. It also hosted a "Strategic Doing" session designed to convert ideals for racial equity into tangible actions community members could take. The events attracted attendees from a variety of racial backgrounds across Iowa City, and many attendees commented afterwards that they found the experience powerful and fulfilling. In the course of a seven -month period, TRC Commissioners were able to focus on a single issue —public safety and criminal justice —for their initial fact finding, truth telling, and reconciliation efforts. While they acknowledged that it would be difficult to get a comprehensive picture of public safety in the time allotted, TRC Commissioners were able to digest a significant set of data that showed disconcerting disparities in the administration of criminal justice across people of different racial backgrounds in Iowa City. They also heard testimonies from members of the community on the complexities of enforcing laws equitably. In healing circles, participants were able to share their experiences at earlier events and how they are processing those experiences —some of which were emotionally powerful, painful, and/or inspiring. Between the time of this report's writing (April 30, 2024) and the current end of its mandate (December 31, 2024), the TRC plans to complete factfinding, truth -telling, and healing/reconciliation work across at least two other topics. Given the broad nature of its mandate, to examine racial injustice, the TRC has substantial work remaining to fulfill its obligations to the City of Iowa City by the end of 2024.[JG1] When the TRC explored topics that they wished to address to advance their mandate, the TRC identified seven topics, including: • Health • Economic Development • Environmental Justice • Naming and Remembrances • Public Safety • Housing • Education and Youth (both K-12 and higher education) • Other (including language access, special needs/education, immigration, public improvements by section of the city, etc.) The work that remains for the TRC includes (but is not limited to): • Identify key questions it wants to answer via fact finding and truth -telling events for a given topic, along with potential data sources and individuals who could testify on that topic. • Review data collected and testimony from individuals on that topic. • Formulate preliminary conclusions based on the data and testimony. • Facilitate healing circles on that topic; and • Develop consensus recommendations for addressing racial injustice uncovered by the data and testimony. In the following pages, the TRC documents its work to date on fact finding, truth telling, and reconciliation. It also identifies barriers to success, and shares recommendations from the m facilitators for the TRC, the Iowa City City Council, and the public. Finally, the TRC reflects on the work of truth and reconciliation, and attaches appendices of materials collected to date. Timeline: Seven Months with the Facilitators LTranug I Tn TeS W—c =;w Sdemui �tlo�poig He�elvpea; aid FAmu� mph rtP�dic 5afuy. �v�¢ Mdop.aR n, Wine pamas 2r®Jegt fi,�H.f,l Two Fatt{v�d gm�no�ryMidig, TwoT�WtTei�iva�n reh Ha�gCad6 imws� August 2023, Training: All of the facilitators —Kearns & West (Fact -Finding); ThinkPeace (Truth -Telling); and Astig Planning, Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa, and the Native Partners team (Healing and Reconciliation) —provided a training to introduce themselves, their teams, their areas of expertise, and their roles and functions in the processes of the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission. September 2023, Strategic Doing and Fact -Finding Brainstorming Session: The Astig Planning team hosted a Strategic Doing session to inventory the assets of the community and convene interested community members around the inclusive, action -oriented North Star question developed by the TRC commissioners: How can we strategically build capacity and amplify the voices of BIPOC and ethnically -oppressed Peoples in order to express their truths, all while addressing historical oppression, genocide, racism, and the need to de -construct colonial systems, ultimately creating foundations for safer spaces for healing and empowerment? This North Star question provided a focus for small groups of community members who met and generated Strategic Doing project ideas consistent with the North Star question and the TRC commission's mission. Kearns & West facilitated a Fact -Finding brainstorming session to identify topics of interest to the commissioners and set preliminary research priorities for the Fact -Finding facilitation team. October 2023, Truth -Telling Training Session: The ThinkPeace team offered training on what Truth -Telling is, how it is defined in the Iowa City TRC mandate, and how other TRCs have approached Truth -Telling. November 2023, Pause and Phase 1 Presentation to City Council: After many meetings in the few months leading up to November, the TRC commissioners requested a pause on all TRC-related activities, so they could absorb what they had been exposed to over the prior several months. During this time, commissioners presented to the City Council on the progress the TRC had made over the course of Phase 1 of the work. H December 2023, Selection of Three Priority Topics of Public Safety, Economic Development, and Education: The Fact Finding team facilitated the TRC's winnowing down of their areas of focus from ten to three: Public Safety, Economic Development, and Education, in order from first to third priority. January 2024, Development of Phase 2 Roadmap: The facilitation team developed a roadmap with proposed activities, deliverables, and deadlines for Phase 2 of the TRC's work. February 2024, Experiential Healing Circles by Native Partners and Presentation of Preliminary Fact -Finding Outcomes and Trajectory for Public Safety: The Native Partners hosted five Experiential Healing Circles to immerse interested parties in the local Tribal Nations' traditional approaches to conflict management and reconciliation. The Fact -Finding team presented the initial outcomes from Fact -Finding related to Public Safety- and facilitated a discussion by the TRC of how to shape and refine the remaining research on this topic in Phase 1. March 2024, Two Fact -Finding Community Briefings and Two Truth -Telling Events with Healing Circles Afterwards: The Fact -Finding facilitation team hosted two events to present the Fact -Finding outcomes related to Public Safety and set the stage for the rest of the TRC's work in that domain. The first event was virtual and consisted of thoroughly reviewing the outcomes and still -open questions and taking questions from participants. The second event was live and in person —the beginning part was an overview of the data shared at the first event, and the latter part saw the commissioners and community members interact with, respond to, and provide feedback on the data and each others' perspectives. The Truth -Telling and Healing and Reconciliation facilitation team and Native Partners hosted two Truth -Telling events with optional Healing Circles planned to immediately follow both events, wherein interested participants and community members could share their truths. A Healing Circle was offered and held by the Native Partners at the end of the second Truth Telling event, to assist participants in processing what they had experienced and to achieve connection and some kind of closure before exiting the event. In addition, members of CommUnity's mobile crisis response team were invited and present for the in -person Fact=Finding event and both Truth -Telling events. 0 Alignment with Iowa City's Strategic Plan The Iowa City Strategic Plan provides the foundation for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as it carries out the city's values and future vision of the community. When we imagine a future Iowa City that is grounded in shared historical facts, collective truths, and a commitment to reconcile harm, it is easy to see how the current Strategic Plan supports this future. The Iowa City City Council assigned three tasks to the TRC, to work towards addressing racial injustice in our community: fact-finding, truth -telling, and reconciliation. This work of the TRC is securely grounded in Iowa City's values of Racial Equity, Social Justice & Human Rights. Iowa City's future vision for a community that embodies these values is one where: Iowa City welcomes and celebrates cultural diversity throughout the community, and accurate cultural historical perspectives are acknowledged and commemorated. The fact finding responsibility of the TRC supports this vision. Its research on systems such as public safety, housing, education, and health care unearths systemic racism and necessitates the daylighting and shared agreement of the trauma (the real harm of erasure and othering), resilience (our stories of resistance because we are still here), and impacts (actual barriers to housing and education that prohibit equity and love) that are inherent and intentional in these systems. Each community member understands how systemic inequities have disadvantaged and marginalized some populations and is equipped with the skills to disrupt bias. Growth and healing occur as the City proactively addresses racial inequalities and social injustices. The TRC's truth telling leads to understanding of inequities and marginalization. Practices of reconciliation led by the TRC teach community members how to disrupt bias by holding space for collective healing. The City has removed and addressed systemic barriers present in all facets of city government including policies, land use decisions, programs, services, and employment. Partnerships with businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations facilitate equitable access to opportunity across all sectors. City employees, boards and commission members, and other advisory and decision -making entities reflect the diversity of the Iowa City community. The presence of equity, inclusion, and belonging is identifiable in all City operations and activities. All three of the TRC's mandates of fact finding, truth telling, and reconciliation support this future. The practices of collecting facts, hearing personal stories, and coming together to facilitate resilient responses to harm will equip the commission and community with information and tools for generating recommendations for the City Council that will provide a strong foundation for creating and sustaining this future vision. 10 Recommendations This section has three parts: Recommendations for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Recommendations for the City Council, and Recommendations for the public at large. This format provides easy reference for individuals and groups invested in engaging with further racial equity work within our community. Recommendations for the TRC Short-term Recommendations These recommendations are for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year: 1. Increase the opportunities for the TRC commissioners to build relationships with each other outside of scheduled TRC public meetings, to get to know each other better, to review and deepen understanding of written materials and presentations provided by facilitators, and to allow space for commissioners to explore their own vulnerability and truth telling about mistreatment. 2. Contact City Council members and encourage them to engage directly with TRC commissioners, and to be invested in and supportive of the truth telling process. 3. Provide additional facilitation time for commissioners to process in -person and written material from facilitators. 4. Hire a social media intern to design and disseminate public service announcements about the TRC, its duties, and to provide opportunities for the public to attend an educational event about TRCs around the globe. g. Encourage members of the TRC to join professional and community -based organizations, such as NACRJ (National Association of Community Restorative Justice) and provide stipends for two commissioners to attend their annual conference. 6. Provide resources for commissioners to meet with and learn from other TRC processes, such as the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro, NC. or the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 11 General Recommendations 1. To request that the TRC receives the resources to hire personnel to implement the decisions and requests of the commission in terms of public activities, research, facilitation, outreach, and compilation of its final report. 2. To request that the TRC's tenure be extended for enough time to ensure that Fact Finding and Truth Telling are completed on topics beyond the three currently approved (e.g., law enforcement, economic empowerment, and education), to include areas such as health care and housing. 3. To establish a procedure for decision -making that is clear, mindful of collective action, and takes into account deliberative consideration for each commissioner's ideas and contributions before moving on to other agenda items, and that discourages renegotiating recent decisions of the commission. The TRC should have an internal policy for using restorative practices to address conflict within the commission itself. Individual commissioners should be discouraged from making unilateral decisions without the entire commission's prior knowledge. To host monthly or quarterly healing circles led by the currently contracted Native Partners or other Indigenous people trained in healing circles. The TRC should take care to avoid cultural appropriation. One way to do this is to provide circle practices led by people who are grounded in their own cultural teachings and offer them of their own volition. g. To use all media tools to promote and educate the Iowa City community about the role the TRC plays to amplify voices of people, particularly from the Black and BIPOC community, who experience or witness racialized mistreatment. This can extend beyond sharing flyers of events, and include public service announcements and interviews with journalists. To engage in monthly public outreach to educators, social senice practitioners, and others who have direct involvement with youth to encourage their participation in truth -telling processes. This can be facilitated by sharing their voices and telling their stories about racialized mistreatment related to a particular focus. To host study groups to deepen a shared understanding of trauma and its impact into all aspects of organizational functioning, retraumatization, and healing. These study groups could be facilitated by members of the community who conduct research, provide crisis intervention, utilize trauma -informed practices, etc. 8. To promote and educate the Iowa City community about witnessing truth telling hearings as a way to increase their awareness about the experiences of people in Iowa City who experienced racialized mistreatment, and how they can contribute to social and racial justice change. To revisit the ideas generated during the Strategic Doing Sessions to further their work. One powerful example is the creation of a curriculum for a cohort of people in the 12 community to engage the fact-finding information that the TRC uncovers/aggregates. This could also include a series of healing/talking circles to process information, and potentially create a community -led project together. This idea was modeled after the local Community Leadership Program, and has great potential to further engage the community in the work of the TRC. There were several ideas generated that are referenced in the appendix for future consideration. Additionally, the commission now has experience with Strategic Doing, and can use this process for relevant components of their work. Strategic Doing involves community members generating and implementing project ideas, which expands the reach of the TRC vision. 10. To support the creation of a community -wide restorative justice talking circle network, which can be activated when harmful action —or inaction —occurs, as proposed by the Healing Partners (Proposal included in Appendix). This is a network of people who are trained to hold healing space and identify community resources that overcome barriers (for instance, immediate housing needs, access to food, etc.). 11. To sponsor a training in talking circle facilitation. Native -led Healing Circles are distinct from secular talking circles, which are used in a variety of settings. The TRC should encourage members of various communities within the Iowa City area to be trained as facilitators so people can participate in circles led by people who look and sound like them. This would include having young adults trained as facilitators. Also, the TRC should encourage community members to take part in talking circles to experience the benefits of talking circles, including how talking circles can intervene on some effects of trauma. Circles provide a space for people to share their experiences and truths and for others to better understand experiences different from theirs. This is an important step towards broader understanding and reconciliation. More information on talking circles and their benefits is in the Appendix. 12. To review the contents of the Appendix, which can be useful in their preparation for their ongoing work related to Truth Telling, Fact Finding, and Reconciliation. The Appendix includes documents created for the TRC and their educational sessions, as well as other documents. The TRC should also make sure that these documents are easily accessible by community members. 13. Recommendations regarding Fact -Finding a. To secure support for a Data Liaison as a single point of contact to lead and facilitate data collection, synthesis, and analysis. Consider how additional researcher recruitment can strive for a research team that reflects the diversity of the Iowa City population. Develop researcher selection criteria that ensure appropriate capabilities and/or training for those who lead or support data collection. A diverse and trained team will help mitigate research bias and produce a more comprehensive data portfolio. Consider advancing partnerships with undergraduate- or graduate -level students and faculty with related research experience. Ensure that community members with relevant data are consulted and incorporated into the process. b. To publish a TRC data compendium from the data collected to advance the TRC's mandate. 13 C. To align TRC timelines with priorities. The current December 31, 2024 timeline could allow for the TRC to advance activities for 1-2 additional prioritized topics. Recognizing the tension between wide-ranging subjects and the constraints of resources, consider requesting additional time and resources or choosing a narrower focus. Recommendations for the City Council 1. To provide the TRC with the resources to hire personnel with expertise necessary to implement the decisions and requests of the commission in terms of public activities, research, facilitation, outreach, and compilation of its final report. 2. To extend the TRC's tenure for enough time to complete Fact Finding and Truth Telling on several topics beyond the three currently approved (e.g., law enforcement, economic empowerment, and education), to include areas such as health care and housing. 3. To provide stipends for commissioners commensurate with time commitment, to provide impetus to serve, and to elevate their positions to a professional status. Stipends would acknowledge the clear differences between the TRC and other City commissions. For instance, some commissions make recommendations to City Council, such as grant allocations; however, they are not tasked with hosting truth -telling events. These events require significant amounts of time and energy to find community members willing to tell their truth, interview and coach these residents, and then host an event that is centered on creating a safer space to tell their truth. Commissioners must address safety concerns, both physical and emotional, for safe truth -telling. The commission is also charged with reconciliation, which is the enormous task of healing race -based harm and creating new relationships to help prevent future harm. Commissioners have engagedNative/Indigenous-led healing circles and community crisis counselors. These are just a few examples of the differences between this commission and other City commissions. Compensation to TRC commissioners will signal a recognition from the City Council that their labor is vital and valued. To support the creation of a TRC retreat that meets quorum and public meeting laws, to foster a space that allows commissioners to discuss the functions and responsibilities of the commission. The agenda can include,for example, discussion of specific sections or all of Resolution 20-228 and/or this report and Appendix materials; educating and engaging the community; etc. g. To attend at least one truth telling hearing before the end of the current year. To approve a budget to support all reconciliation and public education activities. There are costs incurred when continuing to host healing/talking circles, produce and distribute public educational information about reconciliation, and train community members as talking circle facilitators. To support all media efforts by the TRC, including leveraging the City's internal resources to promote the TRC. 14 8. To enact a more flexible attendance policy for TRC commissioners. This should be accompanied by City staff conducting exit interviews for resigning or removed commissioners to learn more about the factors impacting attendance. Recommendations for the public 1. To invite commissioners to attend organizational/religious gatherings so they can share information and listen/learn more from the community. 2. To assist professional organizations and institutions (e.g. real estate agencies, accountants, non -profits, schools, hospitals, banks, credit unions) in developing and distributing area -specific informational materials that outline and promote: a. Tools, policies, and practices that create a culture shift towards removing barriers, providing access, and shoring up cultural competence/radical compassion (compassion not only for others, but ourselves, as a healing methodology). b. Historical and current data that have resulted in systemic and individualized impacts of racial injustice. C. Story -telling that voices the lived experiences of people who have been harmed and/or stories of resilience and joy in the face of racial oppression. d. The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and access to reconciliation/healing opportunities. e. Internal culture that acknowledges fear of speaking up and legitimizes the ability for people to tell their truth so that organizations and institutions can make informed decisions. 15 Barriers to Success A Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a paradoxical proposition: the more urgently it is needed, the more difficult it is for the TRC to succeed. Truth commissions are not created in harmonious societies full of trust and understanding, but in traumatized communities, where distrust runs high and polarization is a deeply entrenched response. The task of working to establish a TRC in such a context brings with it many barriers, as has been the case in Iowa City. The first barrier to success is intrinsic to the kind of conflict in Iowa City: tension and distrust among marginalized people and groups who have historically been competing for access to limited resources and power. The commission has experienced many episodes of confrontation over the course of its work, several of them quite public. This reflects the lines of tension and distrust in the city: angry disputes about perceived slights, doctrinal debates, and repeated attempts to end its tenure. These disruptions have echoed generational, racial, class, and gender divides at a level of intensity that has risked the commission's ability to complete its mandate. The discomfort of these disputes being aired in public nearly led to the dissolution of the commission by the City Council. Related in part to these tensions, and in part to the TRC commissioners serving as volunteers, there was not equal participation or engagement by all commissioners. Commissioners who did not regularly attend meetings often had questions or needed discussion to get back up to speed. Sometimes, tensions resulted in commission members intentionally disrupting the process, which undermined the team dynamic necessary for a successful commission. The second barrier to success is the institutional nature of the commission. The TRC is a public commission of the City of Iowa City. This barrier relates to issues of design and political will. The TRC is not an independent institution endowed by the City with resources for the commissioners to hire and fire staff and to dedicate effective time to work. On the contrary, it works as any other municipal committee in formalistic meetings, with a strong presumption against informal coordinations outside of the formal meetings. Seeking to fit into the traditional mold of other commissions, the TRC initially adhered to Robert's Rules of Order and voted on many procedural aspects of its own existence. The experience of other truth commissions around the world suggested that a more informal, flexible structure would have been more successful. Further, the TRC's dependence on volunteer commissioners created a dynamic that forced them to second guess many of their decisions, wondering whether their tasks were feasible under City procedures. It may have been better to create an independently empowered institution, rather than an official City commission. However, the initial creation of the TRC was a question of will: there was not enough cohesive collective political will to envision and propose something independent from the City government. The TRC emerged as a response to variegated, multifront, diverse movements and it followed the logic of centralizing and normalizing, rather than trusting the process in its independence. Commissions like these require resources and enough structure to enable effective functioning to complete its tasks. In its early years, the TRC struggled from lack of funds from the City. One commissioner resigned and established an independent "People's TRC." That group dissolved after a few months. As a result of being a City commission, the TRC depended on the shifting political dynamics in the City Council, where its own existence was at play. It spent considerable time in negotiations about how to approach the facilitation role foreseen in its mandate. There were multiple false 16 starts in hiring professional facilitation. The first approved facilitator withdrew before its contract began. About a year later, the City Council approved specific funding for a facilitator, but then denied that facilitator's contract. For the City Council and professional staff, the TRC was a source of legal anxieties and operational conundrums. Did it entail a risk of liability to the City? Was it able to effectively receive the testimonies its mandate foresaw? Were commissioners able to meet with members of the public outside of regular meetings? City officials repeatedly relayed these concerns to commissioners, creating anxiety and insecurity instead of empowerment and energy. Establishing reconciliation pathways within the commission would have been an ideal place to start. As a largely BIPOC commission, the trauma and harm from institutionalized racism experienced throughout their lives meant that they were asked to confront the very harm they were experiencing. The constraints of being a City commission meant that any meeting of more than half of the members must be noticed and open to the public. This meant the commissioners could never all attend a healing/talking circle together unless it was posted as an open meeting for the public, too. Restorative circles could have afforded a space for authentic, open dialogue and generated a more connected and cohesive group dynamic. There were two smaller healing circle opportunities that occurred within the commission in the fall of 2022, but only a few commissioners could gather and share at a time. While these sessions were helpful, they did not allow for all members to come together, and the separate experiences did not create enduring connections and healing for the whole commission. The third barrier is a matter of strategic and tactical horizons. Pursuit of racial justice is a long-term and radical struggle. It entails the transformation of society as we know it, cultivating completely new directions, mental structures, and institutions. Such a cause requires intense energy and enormous strategic discipline. It is extremely difficult to balance both: at some points, the radical energy of protest proposed utopian, necessary, radical institutions, such as the People's Truth Commission. However, transformation requires duration and sustainability, not just the isolated cry and demonstrative energy of the moment. The commission has been simultaneously asked very little and very much: some want it not to make waves, some want it to transform the life of the city right away. As a result, much time has been lost in doctrinal confrontation, rather than pragmatic planning, strategizing, and alliance -making. Not being either a sedate bureaucratic exercise, nor a furnace of transformation, the TRC has disappointed many and ended up quite isolated and separated from the day-to-day movement of the City. Another barrier has been the constrained time frame of the TRC. When faced with the trauma and impacts of genocide and institutionalized racism over the past four hundred years, the three -and -a -half years of the TRC is incredibly short. In that light, the seven months allotted to the commission to undertake the training, education, and execution of the commission's mandate was far too short.As noted above, racialized reconciliation takes time. The TRC is just beginning to understand the ways in which reconciliation can occur, both internally as commissioners who have experienced racism, and through community -level healing/talking circles. These endeavors need time and support to be cultivated at the city-wide level. This barrier can be removed by continuing to invest in the TRC's reconciliation efforts long into the future. In addition to the barriers mentioned above, the fact-finding process would have benefited from more cohesive data aggregation. Efficiencies in collaboration could be achieved through the establishment of a single fact-finding data liaison. The tasks required of the TRC to complete its mandate extend beyond what Commissioners are able to advance in their volunteer capacity. 17 Successes The following section outlines the successes thus far, despite barriers, and what to lean on for future success. Truth -Telling The Chair of the TRC reached out to the facilitation teams for support and advice about the truth telling processes. This led to her finding truth tellers from the community, and following the approved Testimony and Witness protocols. These protocols outline how to prepare a truth teller for giving public testimony and suggestions to invite a potential truth teller to speak with the Think Peace team. Commitment, perseverance, and patience, and embodying a passion for truth and justice, are attributes needed in a Truth and Reconciliation commissioner. The commissioners who consistently participated in the Iowa City TRC meetings and the TRC facilitator meetings contributed to ensuring strong communication between facilitators, City Council members and the TRC. Coordination and communication between commissioners and representatives from the City Council ensures success of a TRC. Fact Finding In September 2023, the TRC identified parameters to advance their fact-finding mandate. The TRC reviewed examples from TRCs convened in Greensboro, North Carolina, the U.S. State of Maine, and Canada, among others, to understand the scope, breadth, and depth of fact finding efforts there. The TRC's review also explored how other commissions have defined "facts" to advance their work. The TRC developed a list of subject areas to prioritize in its examination of racial injustice in Iowa City, including: • Health • Economic Development • Environmental Justice • Naming and Remembrances • Public Safety • Housing • Education and Youth (both K-12 and higher education) • Other (including language access, special needs/education, immigration, public improvements by section of the city, etc.) The TRC wanted to review historical data disaggregated by race within each category and developed a comprehensive list of potential indicators to examine (see Appendix). Commissioners also voiced a desire to benchmark data collected on Iowa City with other cities of similar size, as well as demographics, including the so-called "Big Ten" college cities (referring to cities where colleges in the Big Ten Conference are located). in Commissioners had a detailed conversation about how to measure racial injustice in various sectors. For example, for housing, they could review instances where affordable housing was demolished, new construction permitted, zoning changes, evictions, redlining, and racially restrictive covenants. While the TRC recognized that they might not be able to review all data it requested, it still developed a research portfolio that would, in theory, enable it to draw meaningful conclusions about, and recommendations to address, racial injustice across the Iowa City community. After a pause to digest their work in November 2023, Commissioners instructed the Facilitation Team to focus on fact-finding on a single topic in the next 3-4 months. The TRC reached consensus to focus on public safety, which primarily encompassed data on the work and operations of the Iowa City Police Department. On February 1, 2024, the Facilitation Team shared initial data with the TRC. This data was compiled from a range of sources including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Iowa City Police Department, academic researchers, and organizations advocating for police reform. A full list can be found in the Appendix. Selected highlights from the TRC discussion about presented data included the following: Staffing, per capita, at the Iowa City Police Department is lower than many peer cities and cities of similar size.[ 11 Stops and arrests of Black or African Americans in Iowa City occur at a higher rate than their percentage of the Iowa City population.0 Relatively few civilian complaints have been submitted to the civilian oversight board against the Iowa City Police Department (a few per year), and a small percentage of those has been upheld in the review process conducted by the Chief of Police and the review board.[3] The TRC was able to review the presented data and formulate a series of follow-up questions, which enabled the Facilitation Team to prepare a more comprehensive fact-finding presentation at the TRC's meetings on March 14`h and 18L1, 2024, with the help of City staff. Additional data collected to respond to TRC questions was presented, including: • If the City wanted the Iowa City Police Department to have staffing levels more comparable to its peers, it would need nearly 3o additional officers. Iowa City also spends less than other similar sized cities in Iowa on public safety as a percentage of its General Fund and per capita.14j • Demographics of the ICPD are close to those of the community, though there is a smaller percentage of Black and Hispanic officers than there is in the broader community.[5] • White applicants are overrepresented at the various stages of recruitment for ICPD in comparison to their percentage of the population.[61 • While the ICPD attempted to change its policy on stops to limit circumstances when motorists or pedestrians are stopped for minor violations, that changed policy was nullified by state law.171 19 At least three lawsuits have been filed against ICPD alleging racial profiling, with a fourth case not pursued in litigation but publicly protested by civil rights organizations.[81 The entirety of the data presented during this meeting is included as Appendix E. After reviewing the fact-finding presentation on public safety, Commissioners shared individual perspectives on findings through a notecards activity. They then discussed their notes, looking for alignment across initial findings. They concluded that disconcerting racial disparities exist related to public safety in Iowa City —in terms of stops, arrests, offenses, recruitment, and staffing, among other indicators. The TRC agreed to conduct additional discussion and analysis to determine final recommendations in this area. U See Iowa City FY 24 budget public hearing presentation, available at icgov.org. [21 See Disproportionate Minority Contact Study at [31 See 2020 Preliminary Plan to Accelerate Community Policing, available at httns: / /NvwNv.icizov.ore/home/shownublisheddoe,ument/867/6381,7o3o4lo830000 C41 See Iowa City FY 24 budget public hearing presentation, available at icgov.org. [yl See Iowa City Police Department 2022 Annual Report at https: / /NvwNv.iegov.org/home/sho=ublisheddocument/i ,r4/6s82726o681 s00000 [61 Source: Iowa City Police Department data shared with TRC by Chief of Police Dustin Liston. [1 S. Gruber -Miller and I. Richardson, "Saying she's 'grateful to the heroes,' Gov. Izim Reynolds raises penalties for protest -related crimes, boosts police protections," Des Moines Register, June 17, 2021 (see httns: //NvwNv.desmoinesreaister.com/story/news/politics/2o2l/o6/17/iowa-eov-kim-reynolds-s ns-back-the-blue-law-higher-protest-penalties-protecting-police/v4laoavoo2 /) [81 For info on case filed against ICPD and settled by the Iowa City City Council, see T. Mehaffey, "Corah-ille man to receive $390,000 settlement after wrongly accused of impaired driving," Cedar Rapids Gazette, July 11, 2022, wrongly -accused -of -impaired -driving/ 20 Reconciliation The healing circles led by the Native Partners (Terry Medina, Manape LaMere, and Donnielle Wanattee) faced several barriers, including the hesitancy of TRC commissioners to attend them or assist in promoting these opportunities to the public. Some commissioners reinforced a public perception of "outsiders coming into Iowa City to do this work." (Even though the idea that indigenous leaders are `outsiders' underscores the need for genuine and accurate education regarding indigenous history and presence in our state.) The hesitation of commissioners to attend the healing sessions may have been due to availability of time on their part. The Native Partners fostered accessibility, though, by holding five healing circle sessions in the month of February at different times and locations. There may also have been confusion about who the healing circles were intended to serve and how. Regardless of these barriers to success, the Native Partners' healing circles offered Iowa City residents an opportunity to come together and experience the power of connection and healing. After one of the healing circle sessions, one participant noted "This experience is not easily summarized, as it caused a kind of seismic shift in my sense of connection, awareness and humility. It was an unexpected confronting and connecting to oneself, the other members of the circle and everything/everyone everywhere." Another participant shared: "I thought this would be hokey. Instead it was spiritual. I felt connected to all the people there, even though I didn't know most of them. And I think we came from very different religious and cultural backgrounds. I was afraid to open up, but seeing others be so vulnerable and real made it feel safer. The people leading talked about cleansing tears. I felt that. We all cried together. Some was release, some was sadness. By the end it was gratitude as well." Terry Medina also offered comments: "...I have no doubt that the Native Partners bring Spirituality to the table, we bring our Native Ways and Humility, when we gather in a Circle, we are all equal. Being Humble is the opposite of being Prideful & Arrogant, thinking you are more important than another, when in fact we all have our own gifts. ...When we gather again in the Circle, I Neill conduct the Circle and any negative or bad feelings that may still be present, we will write it down on a paper, then I will gather the papers and use one of my Sacred Eagle Feathers, offer up a Prayer to the 4 Directions, go outside and put tobacco down and burn the papers and let those bad or negative feelings be taken away, replaced by compassion, respect and love, asking Creator for Peace Be Upon Us. We can agree to disagree in a respectful way. Show Kindness and Understanding to the Circle and Listen to what is being said, I prayed for Forgiveness for one and all. 21 My recommendation is to actually meet the entire City Council in person, along with the TRC. I feel myself, Manape & Donnielle bring a balance if you will to the TRC and all the relatives that come around. Our ways are unique yet if you Listen with your eyes, heart & spirit you will learn. I was honored to be called upon to serve. It has been 9 months now since we came to Iowa City. Much Love to Anne & V for taking care of us and all my new relatives I made. It has been my pleasure, if you would like for us to continue to Serve you as The Native Partners, I am ready and willing, if you choose not to need our services in the future I respect that as well. Mitakuye Owas'in = We are All Relatives Doksha Ake = See You Down The Road" Based on this feedback and the positive experiences expressed by the Native Partners and community participants, an expansion of opportunities for these healing circles to continue in Iowa City would be an asset to the TRC. 22 Closing Remarks We honor the powerful vision, bold honesty, and courage of the Iowa City City Council in founding the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission in their Resolution 20-228 on September 15, 2020. As designed, the Resolution is a roadmap for intentionally uncovering the truths of systemic, racialized injustice in Iowa City's history that has created the city it is today. This action taken by the City Council, and subsequently carried out by the TRC, creates movement toward the future described in the City's Strategic Plan: Iowa City welcomes and celebrates cultural diversity throughout the community, and accurate cultural historical perspectives are acknowledged and commemorated. Each community member understands how systemic inequities have disadvantaged and marginalized some populations and is equipped with the skills to disrupt bias. Growth and healing occur as the City proactively addresses racial inequalities and social injustices. The City has removed and addressed systemic barriers present in all facets of city government including policies, land use decisions, programs, services, and employment. Partnerships with businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations facilitate equitable access to opportunity across all sectors. City employees, boards and commission members, and other advisory and decision -making entities reflect the diversity of the Iowa City community. The presence of equity, inclusion, and belonging is identifiable in all City operations and activities. We support the City Council, the TRC Commissioners, and all members of the community in moving toward that future, together. We end this report as we began: To all those who carve before as, we are grateful for your hard work and sacrifice that got us Where we are today. May we be the fixture ancestors that the world needs. 23 Appendices This section is organized as a repository of helpful documents for the TRC as a whole and further broken into the three areas of focus: Truth telling, Fact finding, and Reconciliation, for ease of access. 24 Organizational Documents This section holds documents that outline the responsibilities/duties of the TRC and support their efforts to host future events, such as healing circles and truth -telling gatherings. 25 Resolution establishing Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Prepared by: Council members Janice Weiner and Laura Bergus Resolution No. 20-228 Whereas, in Resolution No. 20-159 (Initial Commitments addressing the Black Lives Matter Movement and Systemic Racism in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police and calls for action from protesters and residents), the Iowa City City Council resolved as follows: By October 1, 2020, create an ad hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bear witness to the truth of racial injustice in Iowa City and to carry out restorative justice, through the collection of testimony and public hearings, with such work to include a recommendation to the Council of a plan for dedicating and/or renaming public spaces and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement; and, Whereas, the City Council committed to allocate City funds of $1 during the present Fiscal Year to support Resolution 20-159, which includes a variety of initiatives, among them the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and, Whereas, truth and reconciliation underscores the imperative that confronting and reckoning with the past is necessary for successful transitions from conflict, injustice, resentment and tension to peace, equality and connectedness; and, Whereas, while we acknowledge that other forms of injustice and challenges have occurred over the course of the history of the city of Iowa City, the focus of this Commission is on race; and, Whereas, the City Council acknowledges the existence of painful, systemic, persistent, and varied forms of racial injustice in Iowa City, and acknowledges that such injustice persists despite past efforts to address it, consistent with observations that systemic racism and white privilege are deeply resistant to change; and, Whereas, the Iowa City community must look comprehensively into its past and bear witness to the truth of racial injustice in order to provide the best possible foundation for moving into a future of equity based on healing and hope; and, Whereas, the City Council recognizes that, for a Truth and Reconciliation process to be meaningful, it must include bold action to confront privilege, stimulate difficult conversations, and 26 reach and engage a full cross-section of the community, including those in the community not inclined to engage or resistant to engagement; and, Whereas, a comprehensive process will require that City of Iowa City departments and the City Council itself participate, including individual councilors, in good faith, in the process and to actively encourage broad participation throughout the community, and the City Council hereby commits to such participation and encouragement; and, Whereas, creation of an Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is in the best interests of the City and its residents. Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, that: 1. The Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is hereby established. 2. The TRC shall have nine members who are representative of the City's BIPOC communities and organizations, including those who have direct lived experience with systemic racism, as well as experts who support those communities. To the extent possible, as determined by the City Council, the TRC shall include representation from groups such as the Iowa Freedom Riders, the Black Voices Project, the South District Neighborhood Association, the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and the Community Police Review Board. Johnson County residency is required. Iowa City residency is preferred but not required if an applicant offers expertise or representation not available from applicants who reside in Iowa City. Members of other City boards and commissions are eligible to serve on the TRC. 3. Applications for membership on the TRC shall be announced, advertised, and available in the same manner as those for all City boards and commissions. 4. The TRC shall select the Chair, who when present will preside over all meetings, and the Vice -Chair. who will serve as chair in the absence of the Chair. 5. Within the charges of the TRC set forth herein, the TRC is not required to seek approval from the City Council, mayor, or city manager to set its own agenda and prioritize its activities. 6. The TRC shall be facilitated by an independent consultant, funded by the City, with expertise in group facilitation and human rights, and to the extent possible, experience with diversity, implicit bias, mediation and conflict resolution, until such time as the TRC concludes by the favorable vote of at least three -fourths of all the members of the TRC (7/9) that facilitation is no longer needed. 7. To conform with the requirements of laws pertaining to open meetings and public records and to facilitate transparency and public education and participation, administrative/clerical assistance and media/event assistance shall be provided by City staff as determined by the City Manager and City Clerk. Media assistance may be supplemented by outside expertise on a case -by -case basis if the Commission believes it will substantially expand outreach. 8. The TRC shall determine the frequency and conduct of its meetings. The meetings will be 27 open to the public and conducted in accordance with Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code. Records, documentation, and communications of the TRC will be public records under Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code. 9. The TRC shall serve from the date of appointment of all members to June 30, 2022. The TRC shall have an organizational meeting no later than 30 days after the appointment of all members. 10. Within 90 days of its organizational meeting, the TRC shall recommend to City Council a preliminary budget for funds needed to carry out the charges of the TRC beyond what existing City staff, programs, and services can provide. 11. The charges of the TRC are as follows: A.Fact- Finding The TRC shall collect evidence, including first-hand testimony, of discrimination and racial injustice in multiple settings and compile a complete record of racial injustices that will inform and support the fundamental institutional and policy reforms necessary to address systemic racism. B.Truth-Telling The TRC shall: 1) Provide multiple fora and creative opportunities for persons impacted and traumatized by racial injustice to share their stories of racial injustice and experience to be heard by: (a) fellow communities of color; (b) a broad cross section of the entire Iowa City community; and (c) key decision makers in city government, the business community and the University; 2) Explore ways to provide such opportunities through art, music, theater, workshops, rallies and other forms of congregation, multimedia and listening designed to reveal truths that cannot be fully expressed in traditional fora; and, 3) Create a repository for community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video, audio, art) that can be cataloged and used to educate and inform members of the community. C.Reconciliation The TRC shall: 1) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct conversation among and between community members of color, white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color experience discrimination and injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a structure for enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial injustice in our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council institutional and policy reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols, habits, rituals, conversations and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and harmony. 12. The TRC shall strive to provide a safe and supportive space for its work, premised on mutual respect, and shall conduct its work so as to promote healing and justice. The T RC shall consider the possibility of adverse actions against those who participate in its work. The TRC shall carefully consider mechanisms to protect participants, and shall work to support those who allege harm due to their participation in the TRC process. 13. The TRC shall submit periodic updates to City Council to include, but not be limited to: its W-1 plans for community education; recommendations for Council action; requests for resources the TRC needs to carry out its work; and recommendations to dedicate and/or rename public spaces and/or rights of way in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement. 14. By May 1, 2022 the TRC shall submit to City Council: A. A report summarizing the work of the TRC. B. A repository of community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video, audio, art). C. Recommendations to the City Council for: 1) Institutional and policy reforms to end systemic racism; 2) Opportunities to create new social practices, expectations, protocols, habits, rituals and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and harmony; 3) Measures to enhance the autonomy/security/sovereignty of communities of color and mitigate disparities in social and economic power; and 4) A recommendation on whether and in what form the work of the Commission should continue. 15. At any time in its work, and no later than June 30, 2022, the TRC shall strive to submit to the City Council a replicable model and structure for conversations between people of color and white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color experience discrimination and injustice. 16. Absent further action by the City Council, the T RC will dissolve on June 30, 2022. Passed and approved this 15 day of September, 2020. City Attorney's Office - 09/10/2020 29 Resolution establishing Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Resolution 20-228 was passed by the Iowa City City Council September 15, 2020 TRC Duties The charges of the TRC are as follows: 1. Fact -Finding -The TRC shall collect evidence, including first-hand testimony, of discrimination and racial injustice in multiple settings and compile a complete record of racial injustices that will inform and support the fundamental institutional and policy reforms necessary to address systemic racism. 2. Truth -Telling - The TRC shall: 1) Provide multiple fora and creative opportunities for persons impacted and traumatized by racial injustice to share their stories of racial injustice and experience to be heard by: (a) fellow communities of color; (b) a broad cross section of the entire Iowa City community; and (c) key decision -makers in city government, the business community and the University; 2) Explore ways to provide such opportunities through art, music, theater, workshops, rallies and other forms of congregation, multimedia and listening designed to reveal truths that cannot be fully expressed in traditional fora; and, 3) Create a repository for community stories expressed in multiple media (written, video, audio, art) that can be cataloged and used to educate and inform members of the community. 3. Reconciliation - The TRC shall: 1) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct conversation among and between community members of color, white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color experience discrimination and injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a structure for enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial injustice in our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council institutional and policy reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols, habits, rituals, conversations and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and harmony. 30 Community Agreements We share agreements to build understanding as we navigate meaningful and difficult conversations grounded in co -creating spaces for racial justice and healing together. We invite us all to contribute to and agree to follow our guidelines. 1. Listening: We listen fully, listen from our heart, and we allow space for silence. We bear witness, but do not provide advice or argue with others. 2. Speaking: We respect one person speaking at a time without verbal or non-verbal interruption. We speak for ourselves from the "I" perspective, from our own experiences and perspectives, and avoid generalizing for others in the room. 3. Learning: We are a community of learners and we are growing. We take risks and are courageous, honest, and open with our own stories with faith that we may make mistakes. We learn when we need to move up and move back, and we know when we need to pass. We know this work may be difficult and we are curious about discomfort when it arises. We take responsibility if we are hurt by others' words and use hurt as an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and each other. 4. Language: We use inclusive and non-gendered language and use each person's chosen pronouns. We investigate decoloniality language and literacy and interrogate our own positionality in regards to the words and concepts we use and its impact on others in the BIPOC community. 5. Trust and Care: We aim to build trusting relationships and know we move at the speed of trust. We care for ourselves and each other's physical, spiritual and emotional energy needs. 6. Confidentiality: We honor what others say with confidentiality and integrity, sharing only with context and in relevance to your own life and learning, not as gossip. What is said in our meetings stays in our meetings. What agreements would you like for our time together to make you feel that you can speak honestly and respectfully? 31 TRC Potential Partners List created by TRC. Contact information collected by Lois Grace of ThinkPeace. TRC POTENTIAL PARTNER INDIVIDUALS • Elizabeth Bernal — cultural liaison for Iowa City schools, founding member of Prairielands Freedom Fund (see below) • Manny Galvez— founder and organizer of Iowa City Latino Festival • Bram Elias —immigration attorney, UI Law Professor • Peter Gerlach — UI International Studies adjunct assistant professor, Summer Institute Coordinator at the International Writing Program • Teresa Stecker— Executive Director of IC Compassion (see below) • Annie Tucker — Executive Director of Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa POTENTIAL TRC PARTNER GROUPS Name of Contact info/ email Target TRC TRC Organization/Website/Conta Population/Services Approved Liaison ct Provided Black Voices Project icblackvoices(aDpmail.c Amplifying Black voices ❑ Chastity om httr)s://www.facebook.com/ic and culture in the community. bvp Center for Worker Justice of info(@cwiiowa.ore Assistance and ❑ Wangui Eastern Iowa (319) 594-7593 education to low -wage httr)s://cwiiowa.org/ workers, including immigrants CommUnity Crisis Services admin@builtbvcommuni Food bank, clothing ❑ Daphney tv.org and Food Bank vouchers for low https://builtbycommunity.org (319)351-2726 income individuals and households. Mobile [ crisis services. Dream City info@dreamcityia.org Community building, ❑ Eric (319)594-1044 https://www.dreamc!tyia.org youth leadership programs for children [ and families. Great Plains Action Society contact@greatplainsacti Indigenous organizers ❑ Sikowis on.ore https://www.greatplainsactio providing programming to n.or educate, empower, and protect BIPOC communities. 32 IC Compassion https://www.iccomr)assion.or info(@ iccompassion.org ESL and citizenship classes, food assistance, free legal clinic, immigration assistance and, community meals, refugee counseling services. ❑ Wangui (319)330-9883 g( Inside Out Reentry Community httr)s://www.insideoutreentr hello@ insideoutreentrv. Support for individuals involved in the criminal legal system ❑ Eric com (319) 338-7996 v.com/ International Women's Club of Iowa City https://Iwciowacity.wordr)res iowa.iwc@email.com Social events and English programs for women. ❑ UNCLAIMED s.com Iowa City Catholic Worker https://iowacitvcatholicworke iowacitvcatholicworker Immigrant and refugee led community providing food, housing, rent assistance, accompaniment, and deportation defense. ❑ Eric @¢mail.com (515)729-6482 r.or Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic https://freemedicalclinic.org/ officecoordinator@free Health care to low income individuals and families. ❑ UNCLAIMED medicalclinic.org (319)337-4459 Iowa City Mutual Aid Collective https://iowamutualaid.ore/io info@iowacitvmutualaid Kitchens project, street medic training ❑ Kevo com wa-city-mutual-aid Iowa Freedom Riders https,//www.facebook.com/i iowafreedom riders@am Community organizing and mobilization ❑ UNCLAIMED ail.com owafreedomrider/ Iowa Jobs for America's Graduate (iJag) info@ilag.org (statewide info email) Mentoring, school retention, work ❑ Mohamed 33 https://www.iowacityschools. (515) 216-3140 (statewide#) (319) 688-1000 (Iowa City school district) resources, skill -building for 9-12t'grade students. ore/academics-programs/iiag Iowa Legal Aid InFee eivil legal ;tee. El f Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity https://monsooniowa.org/ contact anmonsooniowa. AAPI victims of gender -based violence ❑ Wangui org (319)466-9000 Multicultural Development info(amdciowa.org Asa nonprofit, we provide ❑ Chastity (319)333-0600 Center of Iowa free community services httr)s://www.mdciowa.org/ ranging from free STEM training to mentoring programs and business incubation to underserved communities. Learn more about our programs and find a learning location near you. Neighborhood Centers of ncic(@ncic.org Before and after school ❑ Chastity Johnson County (319)354-2886 programs for youth and https://ncac.org/index.html family support services. NISAA African Family Programs for African ❑ Wangui Services contact(@nisaa-afs.org immigrant and refugee (319)338-7617 http://nisaa-afs.ortz/ women, particularly victims of violence and sexual assault Path of Hope info (a path -of-hope.org Refugee and immigration ❑ UNCLAIMED (319) 338-5390 https://path-of-hope.org/a services bout Prairielands Freedom Fund teamC@orairielandsfree Immigration bonds and ❑ Kevo domfund.org (319) 535-2209 httr)s://www.r)rairielandsfre pretrial bail edomfund.org/ 34 Proteus info(@proteusinc.net Health care, education ❑ UNCLAIMED (800) 372-6031 http://www.proteusinc.net/ assistance, and job training for agricultural workers, including migrant workers. Shelter House Community info@shelterhouseiow Housing, food, healthcare, ❑ Chastity & a.ore Shelter & Transition and case management Kevo Services (319)351-0326 services for unhoused https://shelterhouseiowa.o individuals and families University of Iowa Afro House: African American Council, ❑ Wangui & Diversity Councils aacc@uiowa.edu Native American Council, Kevo https://diversity.uiowa.edu/ (319)335-8296 Pan Asian Council, Latinx Council resources/dei across -campus Latino Native American Cultural Cultural Centers Center: Afro-American Cultural https://multicultural.uiowa. Inacc@uiowa.edu (319) 335-8298 Center, Latino Native American Cultural Center, Asian Pacific American edu/culturalcenters Asian Pacific American Cultural Center; Cultural Center: affiliations with other kaynguyen@uiowa.ed cultural student groups u (Black Student Union, (319)335-2719 Asian American Student Union, South Asia Student Pride Alliance Center: Association, African pride -alliance -center@ Student Association) uiowa.edu International Student Support and Engagement: shuhui-lin@uiowa.edu (319)335-0335 *Added At 11/4/21 Meeting* of Contact info/ email Target TRC TRC FNe nization/Website/Con Population/Services Approved Liaison Provided 35 Forest View Tenants ❑ UNCLAIMED Association Iowa City Community deaner.matt(@iowacity ❑ Wangui/ schools.org School District (ICCSD) Mohamed https://www.iowacityschoo (Superintendent of schools) Is.org (319)688-1000 ICCSD Equity Advisory gray.laura@iowacitysc ❑ Wangui/ hools.ore Committee Mohamed httr)s://www.iowacityschoo (Exec. Director of Diversity & Cultural Is.org/Page/1124 Responsiveness) howard.eric(@iowacity schools.ore (Director of Equity & Employee Relations) ICCSD Mental Health, ❑ Wangui/ Special Education and Mohamed Disability PTO httr)://autismlowacity.org/i ccsd-mental-hea Ith-special education-and-disability-pt 0 https://www.facebook.com /groups/126384014744976 / Johnson County Interfaith info(@becominebelove ❑ Mohamed dcommunity.org Coalition httr)s://organizeiowa.com / Sudanese Organizations ❑ Wangui I Heart Black Businesses https://www.iheartblack.bi ❑ Clif 1 Humanize My Hoodie aIlies.hmh(@email.co ❑ Sikowis 36 httos://www.humanizemyh m (Workshops, oodie.com/ Trainings, Appearances, Facilitated Conversations about Race) humanizemyhoodieU@ gmail.com (General Inquiries) United Action for Youth mickev.hampton(@uni afterschool teen programs, ❑ Chastity tedactionforyouth.org httos://www.unitedactionf teen parents programs, orvouth.ore/ (319)338-7518 Coralville Food Pantry iohn(tcoralvillefoodp Food insecurity ❑ Chastity antry.org httr)s://www.coralvillefood antr .or 37 Potential Venue Information ul Marcus Library Wright Sycamoi Film Auditoriu ICOR The James Green House of Venue Englert Graduat a Scene IMu m Boxing Theater house Fashion Available Available Not Disability March available Filled ou Film Fest Mar. 18 20-21 any a formal both and 20: Available evenings evening request nights- no Intl March 20th (possibly Mar 18 (M 18, on their rooms Ball Rm and 21st Not 18th) and 20. 20,21) website available 2nd floor Yes (Held) available 100 Depends, 100 80 many Seating theater capacity S00 rooms up to S00 216 400 170 Yes. Yes Yes Can put on stage pipe and after drape for Space for event. PIPE privacy in Depending private and drape same on seating healing will room needs, also 2 circle for provide after Pending, downstairs speakers privacy. event. via email Yes area on stage pending, Checking on Yes Yes smudging only NO YES via email Yes this Yes, as long Yes Yes as it's pre -prepare NO. d before Food brin IMU bringing intc in? yes NO only. Yes the event no space $1300 Free $500/nig (public ht rate) plus $1050 $330 AV, (includes inc Mike 30% and HH 'partner Mike,plus Cost 1 discount' AV staff Ca night to the City $20/hr Free? Free Cost 2 Free nights Translatio n/supratit es TBD Accessibili Yes Yes Yes ty - A DA entrance, etc. yes yes 319 EMAIL grace@theja adwrighti 335-3629 ICORBO mesic.com 8@yahoo john-cory XING@C com Contact 319 688 @uiowa.e MAIL.0 info 2653 du M John Cory. Can go on a walk Brian thru w/ Johannsen staff Andre brian@eng before Clif Wright Contact lert.org deciding. Johnson Grace Merril (owner) rented rented Notes Expensive chairs noisy chairs chairs child care Large entered event across stage 39 Venue Preparation Notes Monday, March 18th Fact Finding Wright House of Fashion Setup @ 3pm Take down @9pm Walk through; 10am 3/08 • Measurement of space • Is there a microphone available? • AN Screen capabilities? • Can childcare be provided in a separate room? • Can food be set up in a separate room? Needs: I Food Vendor: Subway/Sandwich place; Soda & Water C Rentals: Chairs # F Screen Microphone F A/V Wednesday, March 20th Truth -telling ICOR Boxing Setup @ 3pm Take down @9pm Needs: C Food Vendor: Pizza; Soda & Water I Rental: Pipe and Drape? Length in feet needed for visual privacy: F- Screen Microphone F A/V Thursday day, March 21st Truth -telling The James Theater Setup @ 3pm M Take down @9pm Needs: L Food Vendor: Oasis; Soda & Water I Rental: Pipe and Drape Length in feet needed for visual privacy FScreen (Rental is $150 for projector & large screen) Microphone F A/V Notes for venue: 20 chairs behind the curtain for the healing circle 4 tables in the entrance for food 1 table in the seated area for paper materials (e.g. program, fact-finding information) 41 Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission Glossary (2023) Developed by: Think Peace Truth and Conciliation Commission Truth Telling Project The definitions provided in this glossary are meant to distill complex ideas for public communal use. Many of the terms have extensive etymologies and layered operationalizations; thus, the definitions merely provide a common launching pad for discussions germane to Iowa City's TRC process. Furthermore, this glossary, much like our supplied Toolkit and resource lists, is emergent, constantly evolving, and being shaped by the practice and work of truth telling and reparations occuring right now in communities throughout the nation. We continue to create a community of learners and practitioners between and among others engaged in truth telling processes in order to build a culture of reparations that leads to reparative justice. Appropriation - Critical Race Theory -an array of scholarship rooted in legal studies that examines how the law upholds, if not advances, white supremacy across institutions and systems. CRT decentralizes "whiteness" as the norm for the shaping of public policy and public opinion and elevates lived experiences of racism to better understand prevailing racial oppression. Decoloniality-The praxis of undoing, unbinding, physical, ideological, economic, and ontological power dynamics and relationships of external and/or imperial interests from nations, communities, and peoples once subjugated. Decoloniality "disobeys, and delinks from [the colonial matrix of power], constructing paths and praxis toward an otherwise of thinking, sensing, believing, doing, and living" (Mignolo and Walsh loc 194). Diversity -the quantifiable presence, or lack thereof, of people in different and traditionally underrepresented legally protected classes such as race, class, sex, disability and religion. Equity -the allocation of resources and practices that accounts for historic, present and future social determinants allowing for individuals and communities to best engage in an organization, institution, or system according to their unique/specific needs. Equality -purports to provide the same access to resources and experiences regardless of one's social determinants. Fact Finding -a formalized civil process of discovering quantitative and qualitative data based on lived experiences, statements/testimonies of persons participating in truth -telling. 42 Human Dignity - Human dignity is based on the fundamental worth and sanctity of persons that goes beyond nation states and laws. It is a self -authenticating value rooted in human declarations of self-worth, claim to rights, entitlement and an urgent matter of justice basis for the fulfillment of rights, goods, and the articulation of claims as an urgent matter of justice. The primary subject of justice is human dignity and'reverence towards' as well as 'responsibility for' all humans, the natural environment and its ecological balance (Ragland, 2012; Reardon, 1995). Human Rights - Human rights are the political and ethical instruments that work to make the respect of human dignity possible. Human rights are the vehicle through which the equal moral worth demanded by human dignity is respected and fulfilled. Inclusion -intentional means by which diverse people can bring their whole selves into the shaping of environments and relationships with others. Justice -the ethical, civil and legal lived practice by which people are treated fair and equitably. Racial Justice -intentional systemically fair treatment of people regardless of their race that produces and sustains racially equitable outcomes and opportunities for everyone. Restorative Justice- is a radical shift from our current system of criminal justice, which seeks to punish and assign blame, while restorative justice focuses on rebuilding trust and honoring the human dignity of all people. Restorative practices have deep roots in African American and Indigenous/First Nation communities. While the retributive system of criminal justice seeks to apportion blame, stigma and punishment on a perpetrator, a restorative justice logic focuses on mending the relations broken by violence and abuse, and on the needs of victims and survivors. Transitional Justice -a body of processes by which communities work to account for and redress past mass conflicts and abuses in both judicial and nonjudicial manners to amend for and prevent new violations. The different forms of transitional justice respond to the universally recognized human right to redress for human rights violations. Victims have a right to know the facts about the violation they suffered, to receive appropriate reparation for the harms and to pursue criminal justice against the perpetrators. Also, governments have the obligation to implement guarantees of non -recurrence, that is institutional reforms to the institutions that committed the abuses. The forms transitional justice usually takes include truth commissions, the declassification of governmental archives, the search for missing persons, programs for reparation, prosecutions, vetting and reform of institutions like the judiciary and the security forces. These initiatives are typically possible during moments of political transformation, when a previous abusive regime or violent confrontation has ended, which is why the concept received the "transitional" qualification, but there are cases in which these initiatives take place without the scenario of a profound political change. Transformative Justice-Transformative Justice (TJ) is a political framework and approach for responding to violence, harm and abuse. At its most basic, it 43 seeks to respond to violence without creating more violence and/or engaging in harm reduction to lessen the violence. TJ can be thought of as a way of "making things right," getting in "right relation," or creating justice together. Transformative justice responses and interventions 1) do not rely on the state (e.g. police, prisons, the criminal legal system, I.C.E., foster care system (though some TJ responses do rely on or incorporate social services like counseling); 2) do not reinforce or perpetuate violence such as oppressive norms or vigilantism; and most importantly, 3) actively cultivate the things we know prevent violence such as healing, accountability, resilience, and safety for all involved. (httos://transformharm.ore/ti resource/transfo-mative-justice-a-brief-description/1 Peacemaking Circle -derived from aboriginal and native ways of being that utilize the praxis of restorative justice, peacemaking circles counter punitive, victim/victimizer hierarchies and dynamics in order to resolve conflict and harm. They bring together those who are vested in healing, support, community building and relationship development. Critical to peacemaking practices is the intention to focus on one's relationship with community and not about "changing others! Privilege -signifies the unearned advantages, opportunities, rights, and courtesies extended to a group or individual but not granted to others. The social and institutional doors that automatically open for some and not others. Privilege is often inconspicuous to the individual and groups benefiting from it. Oppression -structural experience of denied or inequitable access to resources, opportunities, rights and courtesies extended to others. Oppression manifests as interpersonal, internalized and/or institutional. Race -a social construct that categorizes human beings into groups based on perceived anatomical/biological differences. It is an idea about human difference that is not supported by scientific evidence, but has significant social, political, economic impact. Racism -the manifestation of prejudices rooted in the construct of race and operating within or supported by systemic power; racial prejudices alone does not produce racism. Racism is insidious, institutionalized and integrally supported by access to power. Reconciliation -the process and moment by which disputed records are set in alignment and sacred communal agreement/covenant is restored. Reconciliation can occur at several levels: political reconciliation may occur between societal elites through pact -making to finalize conflict; intercommunal reconciliation may take place as communities separated by identity (religion, language, ethnicity and other markers) agree to find forms of coexistence and recognition of diversity; interpersonal reconciliation between survivors, bystanders and perpetrators may also be possible if the parties are so inclined, but it can't be forced and requires the use of mechanisms of psychosocial support, trauma healing and, in general, restorative justice. Reparations -the spiritual, social, and economic accountability extended to amend for wrongdoing and harm. Reparations are the midpoint between truth and reconciliation and full reparations must include restoration, rehabilitation, compensation, satisfaction and guarantees of non -repeat. Social Determinants -The environmental and societal conditions, both inherited and constructed, that impact one's being such as race, gender, economic access, education, age, housing stability, etc. Survivor- Every natural person who has gone through a violation of their fundamental rights and carries the physical, emotional and socioeconomic consequences of the violation. In a legal sense, a survivor is a victim with rights to be made whole again through appropriate redress, which is why the word "victim" is also used. "Survivor" is used to convey the resilience of victims and their intention to overcome the notion that they don't have agency. Truth Commission -A formalized body, either judicial or non -judicial, tasked with discovering, examining, and revealing past mass civil and/or governmental harms/wrongdoings/human rights abuses in hopes of rectifying, redressing, reconciling and preventing such abuses in the present and future. Truth Telling -truth telling is an authentic, culturally -rooted process of reclaiming one's voice. It is a process by which individuals are able to record testimonies and impacts about past and current actions/experiences pertaining to their culture, heritage, individual and communal lives. Truth telling as a decolonial practice can be seen as a public pedagogy that also addresses historical harms. Victim- According to international human rights law, victims are persons who individually or collectively suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that constitute gross violations of international human rights law, or serious violations of international humanitarian law. Where appropriate, and in accordance with domestic law, the term "victim" also includes the immediate family or dependants of the direct victim and persons who have suffered harm in intervening to assist victims in distress or to prevent victimization. The condition of being recognized as a victim does not depend on the perpetrator being identified, apprehended, prosecuted or convicted. White Supremacy -a psychological, ideological, political, and economic construct and system based upon the perceived superiority of those identifiably white. It is a construct that centers and prioritizes the identity, positions, and experiences of those understood as white while simultaneously ignoring, denigrating and/or exploiting the identities, positions, and experience of those who are not understood as white. Witness -one who listens to, reflects upon and honors the testimonies/statements in the process of truth telling. 45 Resources: George, Janel. A Lesson on Critical Race Theory." Human Rights Magazine. 46.2 Civil Rights Reimagining Policing. American Bar Association (website) 2021. httos://www.aiiiericanbar.or2/2rouns/crsj/publications/human ri ht� s magazine home/civil-right s-reimagining-policing /a -lesson -on -critical -race -theory/ Gonzalez, Eduardo and Howard Varney, eds., "Chapter 2: What are Truth Commissions?" Truth Seeking: Elements of Creating an Effective Truth Commission. Brasilia: Amnesty Commission of the Ministry of Justice of Brazil; New York: International Center for Transitional Justice 2013. https: //WW'A.icti.ory/sites /default/files /ICTI-Book-Truth-Seeking-Chal)ter2-2013-Eni4lish.i)df Oakland Unified School District. "Peacemaking Circles:' (website) https: //www.ousd.org/cros/libO7/CA01001176/Centricity/Domain/97/PeaceiiiakingCircles.pdf OHCHR: Transitional Justice and Human Rights. United Nations (website) https: //www.ohchror2/en/transitional-justice#:--:text=Transitional%20iustice%20aims%20to%2 0provide,the%20prevention%2 Oof%2 Onew%2Oviolations Rose, Stephany. Recovering from Racism: A Guidebook to Beginning Conversations. For Our Children's Children Enterprises. 2015. https: //www.amazon.com /Recovering-Racism-Guidebook-Beginning-Conversations-ebook/dp/BO 15MEI2YE Think Peace 0 TH i HE• PRUEEi Steps to Prepare for Truth Telling Hearings / Healing Circles events 1. Engage in publicity through website and social media a. Press release directed to the formal print media, audiovisual, new media. b. Potential language for a press release (adapt, correct or change as required): "Truth and Reconciliation Commission to hold Community Encounters on fact-finding, truth -telling, and racial healing" The Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission is announcing a major point of accomplishment called for by Resolution 20-228. March 14th will be a virtual offering of facts found related to racial injustice, followed by an in -person facilitated fact-finding engagement on March 18th. March 20th and 21 st will be the Truth Telling Hearings and Healing Circles. If you are interested in witnessing, please show up early and commit to staying for the duration: 5:30pm-9:30pm CT. This will help support Truth Tellers who have experienced racial injustice and violence. It is vital to keep disruptions to a minimum to honor the sharing of hard truths. After the close of the public Truth -Telling Hearings at 9:30pm, the Native Partners and Healing Partners will hold a private space for Truth Tellers, their support people, and select witnesses to the truth. 2. Organize three different groups of commissioners for outreach to Truth Tellers As agreed by the TRC, small commissioner groups (3-4 commissioners each) do not constitute a quorum and therefore a formal TRC meeting, facilitating informal outreach to explore availability of truth tellers. 3. Identify Truth Tellers and ask questions a. Identify local organizations, community groups and associations (formal and informal), and school groups and associations (formal and informal) involved in social justice issues; These might include: churches, civic associations, business associations, school groups, non profits, health organizations, mutual aid groups of formerly incarcerated people, social / racial / restorative / transformative justice / abolitionist activists (individuals and groups), etc; b. Reach out to leaders and members of the identified organizations, groups, and associations, seeking those who might consider speaking on issues related to the commission's focus; c. Seek to include Truth Tellers reflecting the diversity of the community vis a vis race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion and other aspects covering the multifaceted cultural and social outlook of Iowa City; d. It is recommended to ask for at least 1 reference from the community for prospective truth tellers (in practice this may mean that individuals will have the support of neighbors, their community or their associations); e. Schedule a time for a brief, preparatory meeting to initiate and establish relationship: explain what the TRC is, learn about the testimony a potential Truth Teller might give. Potential questions to help organize/clarify a narrative (for this first round of truth teller 47 hearings): 1. What has been your experience with police / law enforcement? 2. Can you identify positive aspects of that interaction? 3. Can you identify negative aspects of that interaction? 4. If something negative happened, did anyone intervene on your behalf? 5. What kind of support would you have wanted? 6. Were you harmed as a result of that interaction? Please describe the harms that were inflicted. 7. What would you need to experience harm repair? 8. In the context of interactions with police/ law enforcement what would racial justice look like for you? f. The commissioner groups will make recommendations to the TRC about the truth tellers to invite, taking into account how illustrative, pedagogical, eloquent the narrative is, and ensuring that the truth teller is fully committed to participate and they have support to engage in the process (i.e. they are supported by family and friends, or their community or association, church fellow congregants, etc.) g. Decide the list of invited truth tellers and contact them formally as the TRC to ascertain their continued willingness to participate. Encourage truth tellers to identify a person who will support them and accompany them during their participation in the hearing. 4. Set up a care element for potential Truth Tellers and Witnesses (healing circles, MH professional, nurse if necessary/possible, etc.). a. Refer to the `Preparation for Truth Tellers" section of the "Trauma -Informed Truth Telling & Witnessing Protocol (middle of p. 7) b. From the "Trauma -Informed Truth Telling & Witnessing Protocol' (p. 10): i. Account for the needs of those bearing witness by providing tissues on the table and slips of paper and pens if they want to make a note of something that was said or keep track of a thought or question to discuss later; ii. Provide water so that those witnessing trauma may stay hydrated to mitigate the negative physiological and emotional impacts of stress on the nervous system; iii. Take the opportunity in preparing witnesses to watch just a few or several videos from The Truth Telling Project website. Visit TheTruthTellingProject.org/ITTL to find recordings and hear from our truth tellers. Community Encounters for Truth and Reconciliation Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) i. Definition and linkage to the legal mandate The TRC will organize three Community Encounters for Truth and Reconciliation during 2024. The Encounters are opportunities for a necessary and transformational dialogue on racial injustice in our midst: their impact will be a direct reflection on accurate information, a willingness to share experiences and the creation of a healing environment. IM Each Community Encounter will be a set of sessions of the TRC covering each of the components of its TRC work in an integrated manner (Resolution 20-228 art 11): (a) Fact-finding, focused on the evidence we have about the multiple manifestations of racial injustice in our community; (b) Truth -seeking, to initiate constructive dialogue about community stories and experiences about racial injustice; (c) Reconciliation, to co -create a healing environment that honors personal and collective experiences, addresses pain and trauma, and facilitates next steps of reparative systems change and transformation. From a thematic perspective, we have prioritized three aspects in which we believe racial injustice manifests itself in our community: law enforcement and safety, economic development, and education (Res 20-228, art 11C). We acknowledge that many other facets of historical and structural injustice exist, including, for example, in the areas of housing and health care. To build a strong foundation for future work, we will start with the three aspects mentioned. This document is primarily focused on the first of these Encounters, to be held in several sessions, from March 14 to 21, 2024. The fact-finding component of this exercise will include a presentation by Kearns and West (currently scheduled for Thursday, March 14th) of the complete data set collected on public safety and criminal justice. It will be followed by a facilitated exercise for the TRC on Monday, March i8th, at which time TRC Commissioners will work with facilitators on consensus (preliminary) conclusions regarding the data presented. Specifically, the TRC will be asked to consider the extent to which the data reveal racial injustice in the Iowa City community and how to verify those hypotheses at truth -telling sessions. The truth -telling and dialogue component, facilitated by Think Peace, will consist of testimonial and dialogical sessions on March loth and 21St (the') between members of the community sharing their experiences, positive and negative, regarding public safety and criminal justice. Specifically, participants will have an opportunity to indicate how racial injustice impacts concrete communities and individuals, and to reflect on what is needed to transform these conditions. The Native Partners and Healing Partners are responsible for processes related to reconciliation. Reconciliation is addressed in the third charge of the TRC in City Council Resolution 20-228, article 11. In addition to those charges, the TRC (and Native Partners/Healing Partners) are responsible for providing spaces and processes which create healing environments that honor the personal and collective experiences, and addresses the pain and trauma of the original experience, as well as any additional trauma that may emerge from sharing stories. The Native Partners will facilitate a healing circle to be conducted after each of the truth -telling sessions. 2. Some Key Definitions on Reconciliation Reconciliation is probably the most important concept in the work of the TRC. It figures prominently in its legal mandate and is the underlying motivation for the entire exercise. At the same time, it is an extremely ambitious objective, so we need to be constantly reminded of how it is defined in the founding Resolution and in our ongoing work. The following are a few key reflections: Reconciliation The TRC shall: 1) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct conversation among and between community members of color, white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color experience discrimination and injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a structure for enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial injustice in our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council institutional and policy reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols, habits, rituals, conversations and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and harmony. (From City Council Resolutions 20-228, Article 11.) Reconciliation involves a coming to agreement about truth. Consequently, engaging in TRC-likened truth -telling processes in the U.S. supports opportunities for the oppressed and the oppressors to come to agreement about the `original sins" and the perpetual harms of those sins, i.e., theft of life, liberty and land, Jim Crow, redlining, gentrification, police violence and other forms of structural racism. Along those same lines, truth -telling processes involve a coming to agreement about ways to support healing and repair related to the consequences of those harms. (From "Ten Lessons We Learned About Truth and Reconciliation" by The Truth Telling Project, [David Ragland, Melinda Salazar, Imam Michelle Scott, Eduardo Gonzalez and Arthur Romano], July 30, 2020.) Healing Circles: The Native Partners will be offering Healing Circles as the reconciliation process/space to the commission and community. Healing Circles provide a process and create a space where harm can be shared, heard by others, and the community can move toward coming to agreement about truth. Healing Circles also provide an opportunity to deal with, and heal from, trauma and pain for those harmed and those hearing/Witnessing the expression of harm. Healing or talking circles can also provide a process for coming to agreement about ways to support healing and repair related to the consequences of those harms. Circles can also be a process for learning and for generating recommendations for the City Council. Circles are a replicable model for all of these conversations. Circles and Trauma and Pain: Speaking truth or hearing it can trigger trauma and pain in the speakers and listeners. The Native Partners provide Healing Circles to provide a safer space for people to speak their truths and/or to sit in circles as a healing and restorative process. People exiting community Healing Circles held in Iowa City reported they felt calmer and more connected to themselves and others, and not judged. Circles can intervene on effects of trauma. Circles, and the use of a talking piece, can intervene on two possible outcomes of trauma. One possible outcome of trauma is disempowerment: a person feels disempowered because they were not able to prevent the trauma. In a healing circle or talking circle using a talking stick, the talking stick is passed around the circle and when it reaches each person, they have the choice of speaking — saying whatever they decide to share or not share — or passing, not speaking at all. In that moment, a 50 person has full choice, they are empowered to do what they choose. This intervenes on their (potential) disempowerment due to trauma. Another possible outcome of trauma is feeling disconnected: from the person/people that harmed you, potentially somewhat disconnected from life in general, and potentially disconnected from parts of yourself. In a circle, when the talking piece is passed, and others speak, it is possible to feel connected to a speaker, whether you know them or not. In this way, a talking piece in a circle can intervene on trauma -induced disconnection. Native Partner T Medina has shared the following to convey more specifically hory Healing Circles work: When I was last in Iowa City, and I conducted a Talking Circle on "Fatherhood/Motherhood Is Sacred", that was the "topic" of The Circle. As the "Facilitator" I talked about how fatherhood/motherhood is sacred. A "way of life" means walking that way of life. There were many who shed tears, the start of healing their spirit and heart. Many- relatives carry feelings and emotions inside that come out in a good way, where the Circle is a place of equality and safety. All about Respect and Compassion for the relatives. When we ended the Circle, instead of hand shakes there were big hugs all around. Powerful. During any "Circle," in order to learn something and become Teachable, you have to Listen, not just with your ears, but with your eyes, your heart, and your spirit, observing the body language of those in the Circle. The tears that come out are cleansing their Spirit and Soul of the person. Conflict in Circle: If the TRC calls for a Circle, there will be a "reason why" they would want a Circle, there could be conflict, disagreements, lack of communication or lack of respect, talking behind someone's back ("backstabbing"). The facilitator would Speak first and express themselves, then the relatives in the Circle would have time to express themselves. I feel it is important to have a Talking Stick, only one is needed. One of the ground rules of the Circle is whoever has the Talking Stick has the floor. No one speaks until after they have listened, and if there is a response or a clarification, that person would ask for the Talking Stick. When you end the Circle, the Talking Stick would go around one more time so that everyone in the Circle would have the opportunity to Express themselves and/or give thanks. You could end it with everyone going around and shaking hands, hugging, etc. 3. Objectives The Encounters seek to "...stimulate difficult conversations, reach and engage a full cross section of the community including those in the community not inclined or resistant to engagement" (Resolution 20-228, 7). To do so, they will combine different forms of knowledge and wisdom, namely evidence, testimony, and ritual. Specifically, the Encounters will (see Resolution 20-228, article ii): (a) Present evidence related to law enforcement and safety, economic development and education to exchange informed opinion, assess our challenges, and envision transformation. 51 (b) Hear testimony from community Truth Tellers, listening to actual individual experiences from our neighbors, and inviting an exchange of views between our communities and decision makers. (c) Provide a safe and healing space for the community to present their experiences and opinions in good faith, with acceptance and recognition. Each of the Encounters will be faithfully recorded and synthesized in order to provide materials for the TRC report to the City Council at the end of our tenure. Also, the testimonies and dialogues received will be carefully organized to be the first stone of a city repository of testimony. What we will hear and reflect on during these sessions will help the Commissioners to formulate recommendations to the City on how to take effective, transformational action against injustice (Resolution 20-228, art 14). Also, the truth -telling events will have all the guarantees necessary for persons or institutions who feel adversely mentioned to engage in constructive dialogue. The goal of the first fact-finding portion of the culminating event on March 14th will be to present data in full to allow for Commissioners to understand it fully, ask clarifying questions, and perhaps offer some thoughts about how the data should be presented in a final report. For the facilitated session on the i8th, the goal will be to reach consensus on what the data reveal related to racial injustice in Iowa City, as well as to agree on prompts to offer to attendees at truth -telling events as they offer testimony on this topic. The Native Partners/Healing Partners will provide Healing Circles for Truth Tellers and their support people after the truth -telling. It will be a space for hearing them, and an opportunity for them to continue their healing from the traumas of their experiences and from any potential retraumatization in telling about them. 4. Components - What will the event look like? How will its activities relate to the different parts of the mandate? How will those parts be integrated and feed into each other? On March 18th, Commissioners will work with facilitators to formulate preliminary conclusions about the evidence presented to them and agree on questions to offer to participants at truth telling events that they can choose to use for prompts. The idea is for TRC Commissioners to use data shared during fact-finding sessions as a hypothesis for truth related to this topic, which can be bolstered by, and/or contradicted by, testimony during truth -telling. On March loth, there will be truth -telling around the topic of law enforcement and safety. During the truth -telling event (TT), there could be a circle of 4-6 people who have been previously invited to share their views and experiences, followed by a discussion amongst the group. For example, the composition of these 4-6 people could include: • 1-3 community member(s) who may have been either mistreated by police or experienced a situation that was escalated instead of de-escalated or where there was an absence of restorative processes in the wake of harm; • t Councilmember who is active on the topic of law enforcement and public safety; • t City government official who can speak to the topic; and, • t retired or active law enforcement member. These individuals would have around io minutes to share one experience meaningfully, gently 52 guided by prompting questions (e.g., "What have been any positive and/or negative experiences with law enforcement?"). These questions can be asked by either TRC Commissioners or David Ragland and Melinda Salazar from Think Peace, or a combination of both. At the conclusion of individual sharing, there could be a facilitated dialogue for 30 minutes to promote — among the group members and TRC members — discussion, clarification, or possible solutions to mitigate harm in the future. During the dialogue, David Ragland and Melinda Salazar will support the conversation by encouraging constructive engagement around topics that emerge during the initial truth -telling. Some example questions could include, "What is your perspective as a City Councilmember about how these could be improved?" or "What do you think law enforcement would be receptive to in preventing this harm from happening again?". The TRC Commissioners are welcome to lead, support, or Witness this and any part of the process as Think Peace is in attendance to guide. As described above, a Healing Circle will be offered after the truth -telling event to those who speak at the truth -telling event, and their support people. It will be a space where they can share any aspect of the original experience(s) shared as well as what has been activated by the sharing and anything else. There will be multiple rounds using a talking piece, providing opportunities for those in the circle to continue to move toward healing. It is possible that the Native Partners will incite others to the Circle. 5. Participants - Who will participate (TRC, City officials, general public, Truth Tellers and experts, other guests, etc)? What role will each participant have? How will meeting rules apply? The fact-finding portion of the event is designed for TRC Commissioners. Regarding the Truth Telling event, the participants will include TRC Commissioners, "Truth Tellers," and "Witnesses." Details which outline how Truth Tellers and Witnesses are defined can be found in the "Trauma -informed Truth -Telling & Witnessing Protocol" delivered during the January 4, 2024 TRC meeting as part of Think Peace's contract. The document is attached to this Concept Note as an Addendum. • TRC Commissioners: The role of TRC Commissioners is found on page 6 in the "Trauma -informed Truth -Telling & Witnessing Protocol" presented at the January 4, 2024 TRC Meeting. • Truth Tellers (e.g., those selected to share their truth and will likely comprise of the general public, City officials, and law enforcement): The background of Truth Tellers is found on page 5, selection of Truth Tellers is covered on page 6, discussion around preparing Truth Tellers is found on page 7, along with notes on conducting testimony and sample questions for preparatory meetings are found on page 8. • Witnesses: The role of Witnesses and global and US -specific samples, found on pages 8-11, are provided to demonstrate -visually how various Truth Telling events have been structured in the past. It's important to note that TRC Commissioners will also serve as Witnesses. David Ragland and Melinda Salazar have extensive experiences with Truth Telling and will be in person to provide facilitated guidance to the degree desired by the Commission. Their role could be asking all of the supportive questions during the individual sharing component AND guiding all of the facilitated dialogue for the group discussion. Or, it could mean they play a smaller, supportive role whereby the Commissioners lead with questions during the individual sharing 53 and facilitated group conversation The Native Partners will provide the Healing Circle for the Truth Tellers and their support people in a private space where smudging can occur. This is not a public event. It may be that the Native Partners invite some members of the community who were at the Truth Telling event and were moved. This may include Commissioners or City Council people. That will be up to the Native Partners at that time. As for the healing of the members of the public/the community, including Commissioners, who may experience secondary trauma as listeners and Witnesses at the truth -telling event, the Native Partners will offer invocation and support at the beginning and closing of the truth telling events. 6. Tasks - What are the tasks from here to the event to ensure its realization? What is the timeline? Regarding Fact -Finding, Facilitation Team members from Kearns & West are working to fulfill research requests made by the TRC at their February ist meeting and prepare a comprehensive report and presentation for the TRC's review prior to and at their March 14th meeting. The Facilitation Team will also provide draft questions that the TRC could utilize, modify, or discard for Truth -Telling events. The preparatory work in advance of Truth Telling is vitally important to ensure the right people are at the gathering and that those people have been adequately prepared before their truth telling experience. The key elements of the process include: 1) Identification of Truth Tellers; 2) Formal Invitation of Truth Tellers; 3) Support - prior to and during the Truth Telling experience; and 4) Follow up after the Truth Telling experience. 1) Identification needs to happen as soon as possible, as there is a significant discernment process to determine if there is a best mixture of perspectives or experiences to be shared during TT. During this phase, TRC Commissioners will: A) Reach out to people who may have an experience they'd like to share regarding a racial injustice connected to law enforcement, as that is the first topic for dialogue. B) During outreach, the TRC Commissioners share what the TT event will look like and its purpose according to Resolution 20-228. C) Commissioners will ask potential Truth Tellers if they want to participate at the public event with their story, affirming their consent to be recorded. Outreach should begin soon, in particular within the law enforcement community (e.g., former judge/prosecutor/parole officer/social worker connected to law enforcement/police - active/retired) as these may be harder to find. 2) Formal Invitation happens in written form after outreach has identified 4-6 individuals who would provide a well-rounded perspective of various experiences. During this stage, there should be another conversation with participants to ask about their needs for support in advance, during, and after the TT experience. a) Recommendations: 54 i) Commissioners will read the document provided by TP: Trauma Informed Truth -Telling and Witnessing Protocol before any initial interviews with community members/potential Truth Tellers. ii) When Commissioners are conveying information about the TT events, they will also let speakers know about the Healing Circles being offered to them: its time and location, how it works, and encourage them and their support people to attend. Contact information for the Healing Partners will be provided, so any questions can be addressed. 3) Support will at the very least consist of selected individuals bringing a peer to be with them during the TT dialogue, as well as the supportive presence of Commissioners and facilitators. Ask if there are other needs that they may have, including accessibility needs, to be supported before and during the experience. This stage also allows their questions to be answered by TRC members and/or facilitation team to allay fears. 4) Follow-up involves TRC members checking in one week and one month after the TT event. During these check -ins, TRC Commissioners could ask prompting questions (e.g., "Do you have anything to add to what you presented?" "What feedback could improve this in the future?" "What did you want to say but didn't or felt you couldn't?"). Listen for any recommendations to incorporate in the future. Share with these individuals ways they could stay involved with the ongoing work of the TRC (e.g., attend meetings, attend future events, or others). 7. Recommendations: 1. Commissioners will read the document provided by TP: Trauma -Informed Truth -Telling and Witnessing Protocol before any initial interviews with community members/potential Truth Tellers. Any clarification or discussion can be organized with the plenary of Commissioners or individual members. 2. When Commissioners are conveying information about the TT events, they will also let speakers know about the Healing Circles being offered to them: its time and location, how it works, and encourage them and their support people to attend. Contact information for the Healing Partners will be provided, so any questions can be addressed. 8. Resources - What will be the resources needed? (Venue, materials, sound, light, recording, services such as transportation, medical or psychosocial support, security, etc., as appropriate) For the Truth Telling portion of the Community Encounters, there are various logistics needs required: • Quality recording • Good lighting • Plants or flowers in entry and/or in room • Backdrop printed with logo of Commission and name of event (e.g, "Community Encounters for Truth & Reconciliation: Iowa City") to be placed behind Commission would be beneficial, though not absolutely necessary- • Expressive therapeutic materials, such as newsprint on a wall, paper at table, colored markers • Transcript of the conversations (e.g., transcription software and a short-term hire to review 55 and edit for accuracy) to be documented and can be utilized with Fact Finding • Mobile crisis counselors, at least two available who are representative of BIPOC community members • Separate quiet or private space for use if individuals or small groups utilize mobile crisis counselor(s) before, during, or after TT • Ambulance available • Any street closures or parking notices, depending on if that's required by the location • Building space which allows for Commissioners and facilitators (e.g., David Ragland and Melinda Salazar) to sit in a circle shape with Truth Tellers • Communications outreach — press release, media conference, media invitations for the TT event. • Dinner to feed 50 people Location Fact-finding will take place on the 14th at City Hall and the i8th at the Senior Center. Think Peace will hold two days of Truth Telling on March 20 and 21 (tbe), supported by Native Partners who will offer the opening and closing of the event, as well as Healing Circles after the TT portion has closed. Think Peace can host the TT events in a variety of locations, including: City Hall, university campus, public library, or another community space frequented by the general public. The Native/HealingPartners will hold the Healing Circle as a form to process, debrief, and heal from the discussions held during the Truth Telling. For the Healing Circle part of the Community Encounter, there are various logistics required: • A space large enough for the Native/Healing Partners and speakers, their support people, and perhaps others to sit in Circle. • The space needs to be one of comfort to BIPOC community members. • The space needs to be secure and provide privacy. • The space needs to allow smudging. • Dinner to feed 20-30 people. Potential Questions: • (Opening) Thank you for your courage and commitment. • (Round 1, could go around more than once) How are you feeling now that you have shared your truth? • (Round 2, could go around more than once) What would be helpful for you and what do you need to support you in your healing? • (Round 3, could go around more than once) What intention do you have for your truth telling? • (Round X) What do you think would be helpful in future TT events? Run of Show Chronologic script of activities detailing each part of the process, use of time, role of 56 participants Think Peace - Truth -telling draft schedule (Mar 20. 202,4) K&W - Fact-finding will occur on the 14th and i8th as described above Native/Healing Partners - 1. Room and food will be arranged in February. 2. Day of. Native/Healing partners will set up space so it is ready a half hour before expected start time. 3. Native/Healing partners will be on site a half hour before expected start time, to welcome any participants who come early. 4. Native/Healing partners will restore the room to its original condition after all the participants have left. 5. Native/Healing partners will sit together in Circle to debrief and smudge. 57 Truth -Telling The following subsection contains documents centered on Truth -telling aspects of the TRC. 58 Think Peace * " N* TN ]ITH TLLLiNG PRGIECT Truth & Reconciliation Commissions Trauma -Informed Truth Telling and Witnessing Protocol Adapted from The Truth Telling Project Working with Witnesses Document By Melinda Salazar, Leo Hylton, David Ragland, and Eduardo Gonzalez Prepared for the IoNva City Truth & Reconciliation Commission January, 2024 59 Table of Contents TOPIC PAGE Background 2 Introduction to Truth Telling in the U.S. 2 What is a Truth Teller? 5 What is a Trauma -Informed Approach to Truth Telling? 5 What is the Role of a TRC Commissioner in Truth Telling? 6 How Are Truth Tellers Chosen? 6 Preparation for Truth Tellers 7 Notes on Conducting Testimony 8 Examples of Questions for Pre -Meetings and Listening Posts 8 Who is a Witness? 9 What is the Role of a Witness? 10 What is Authentic or Radical Listening? 12 Post Truth Telling 12 Resources 13 Appendix A - TTP Community Agreements 14 WE Background The tern "testimony" is the English translation of the Spanish language expression testimonios which originated in Latin America in the 1970s as a means of sharing spoken accounts of oppression. A testimony is told in the first person by a narrator who is the individual directly involved in, or is a witness of, events or experiences of mistreatment and who seeks empowerment through giving voice to those events or experiences to active listeners. These listeners are referred to as "witnesses," who act on behalf of the narrator to bring broader awareness to these accounts and achieve justice and repair from harm. Historically, the origins of "giving testimony" are situated in a liberatory learning framework and contribute to building a communication bridge of solidarity between and amongst other individuals and groups who are marginalized. The collective goal of testimony is to name oppression and to bring it to an end, whether as genocide, racism, classism, xenophobia, or any other type of institutionalized rnarginalization. Testimony further demands justice for all crimes against humanity (K. Blackmer Reyes, J.E. Curry Rodriguez, 2012). The terms "testimonial," "narrative," and "testimony" are recognized by the Library of Congress and are used interchangeably in scholarship and in practice. The study and use of testimonial accounts have been used in academic settings since the publication of The Pedagogy of the Oppressed in 1970 by Brazilian popular education scholar and practitioner, Paulo Freire. Use of testimonial accounts has moved from the periphery in academia to mainstream educational research in the classroom as a way to give voice to the lives of those who experience war, violence, and displacement, and to serve as a tool to hear the individual points of view of people who are marginalized as a result of race, gender, class, and sexuality discrimination. While the use of testimonials in Truth & Reconciliation Commissions are well documented elsewhere and were presented to the Iowa City TRC Commissioners by Think Peace partner, Eduardo Gonzalez, the focus of this document is to draw from our experiences in the United States. Introduction to Truth Telling in the U.S. The Beloved Community of Greensboro, NC, drew upon this testimony approach to tell the story of the 1979 Greensboro Massacre. Five people were murdered, ten people were wounded, and four women and one man were widowed by members of the American Nazi Party and the Ku Klux 61 Klan —some of whom were employed as Greensboro police. In 2004, for the first time in the United States, a formal Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was founded. The Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation Project (GTCRP) launched a democratic process that engaged the community in nominating and selecting seven members to serve on the Commission.' The TRC sought to examine the racialized conditions leading up to the Massacre,' the organizing of Black activists and grassroots organizers rising up in response to increasing inequalities in the Jim Crow South; and resistance from white supremacists. The TRC was also tasked with making recommendations for community healing around the denial of this tragedy in Greensboro, NC. After the August 9, 2014 murder of Michael Brown Jr. by Officer Darren Wilson, people from the local community protested on the streets of Ferguson and St. Louis, MO for months, along with peace educators, peace studies scholars, families of those who also experienced police violence, community organizers, and activists. Two individuals who participated in the uprising, Dave Ragland and Cori Bush, sought out the expertise of practitioners from South Africa, Peru, and Greensboro, NC, to learn how to create a truth telling process to seek the truth about Michael Brown's murder, and to provide a space for others in this nation who had been brutalized by police violence. Drawing from these truth seeking events and experiences and applying a Black Liberatory lens, The Truth Telling Project of Ferguson was founded for the specific purpose of supporting and implementing grassroots, community -centered truth telling processes to achieve Black liberation and BIPOC solidarity by amplifying traditionally silenced and disenfranchised voices, and of abolishing white supremacy. Some anticipated goals of these truth telling hearings included: 1. to create a sacred and safe public space for people to come forth to express their anger and outrage about state -sanctioned police violence; 2. to amplify personal, first-hand accounts of people's experience with police brutality; 3. to contribute to healing individual and communal trauma from police violence and the loss of loved ones; 4. to stand in solidarity with other communities that have experienced state -sanctioned oppression: 5. to use Restorative Justice principles to create a Truth and Reconciliation process to address this nation's racial divide and repair past harms. The Truth Telling Project (TTP) held a series of Truth Hearings in St. Louis, inviting individuals and family members who experienced direct or indirect police brutality to share testimony that would be witnessed by members of the community. While many of those who shared testimony were local, many ' Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report - httos://greensborotreorP/ ' Not unlike most urban communities, racialized conditions included: social inequalities, manifestations of racism, poor housing, and inadequate education and public services for the Black residents of Greensboro. a The most notable and historic events are the public "Sit -In" demonstrations held at Woolworth's and Kress department stores, where Black students, known as the "Greensboro Four," refused to leave the "White Only" lunch counter after being refused set -vice. 62 others came from around the U.S. and also shared their story. These testimonial accounts are documented on The Truth Telling Project website, on an online educators resource called "It's Time to Listen,"" and housed at the StoryCor�2s Archive in the U.S. Library of Congress. The story of the original The Truth Telling Project is well documented in books, academic papers, courses in Higher Education, national presentations, podcasts and social media; this documentation also includes TTP's evolution to include education about building a culture for reparations, rooting a reparations movement of faith -based communities and ethically -oriented organizations that is rapidly growing, and contributing to organizations working on black liberation, in the areas of transitional and reparative justice.' The purpose of this document is to provide clear definition, context, and action steps about a trauma -informed approach to truth telling and witnessing testimony. After the murder of George Floyd, a national movement strengthened demands for accountability and historical justice, and many cities and states started using the instruments of truth -telling and reparation in the form of local truth and reconciliation commissions and programs for economic empowerment. Over 70 local initiatives now exist across the United States, some established by State governors or legislatures and some by city nrayors or city councils. Soon notable examples include The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the California Truth & Healm `The site holds testimonies as well as a Discussion & Activity Guide for each, i.e., Mike Brown Sr. - https//itstimetolistenorwpcomstaa„ing.com/780-2/ 56 Bush, C., Ragland, D., S Salazar, M. (2017). "in Truth and Reconciliation, First Things First —The Truth" (Magazine article). hhtt s://www.N,csniagazine.c)rg/social-justice/201-/O8/16/hh-truth-and-reconciliation-first-things-first-the-truth • Davis, Angela (2016). Freedom is a Constant Struggle, Haymarket Books • Freeman-Woolpert, S (2020). "How Black -led resistance movements are paving the way for reparations" (News Q&A). httos://wa ignononviolenee.org/2020/09h�eparations-truth-tellingI)roiect-david-ragluad/ • Nagy, R. (2020) "Settler Witnessing at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada • Ragland, D. (2018). "Radical Truth Telling from the Ferguson Uprising: An Educational Intervention to Shift the Narrative, Build Political Efficacy, Claim Power, and Transform Communities" (Book chapter). ht, tt s://onlinelibrarywilev.coin/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118966709.ch26 • Ragland, D. (2020). "Truth-Telhng in aTime of Polarization" (Keynote). h�tt sr//www.peaccjusticestudies.org/video/keynote-davit-raaland-truth-tellineg-in-a-time-of-polarization-2020-g isa-conference/ • Rizk, E. (2015). "Dialogue Project Founders Tackle Police Brutality" (College news article). lops://rhehoya.cona/dialogue-pro ect-+i),mders-tackle-Pnlice-hrntalinY • Scott, 1. (2016). "The Ferguson Truth Initiative: Building on the Legacies of South Africa and Greensboro" (blog).httos://vwwchuUost.com/enn3L/the-feiguson-truth-initia b 8512156 • Segalovidh, I. -(graphic art) - httus:/hvww.isasegalovich.coui/trutli-tellin -pg roiect 63 Council, as well as the Asheville, NC Community Reparations Commission and the recent New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies. Iowa City is part of this historic development. This groundswell of activity is creating a critical mass of knowledge and restorative justice practice. Still, no country -wide truth -telling initiative has succeeded yet, as proposals for a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Commission and a bill to establish a study group on reparations (H.R.40) have not gathered enough support in Washington, DC. However, it is possible that the emergence of truth and reparation processes around the country will change patterns of passivity and inaction, and that the power of testimony will contribute to transforming our society. What is a Truth Teller? A Truth Teller is someone who: Is directly involved or is a witness of events or experiences of mistreatment related to a particular focus; • Seeks empowerment through giving voice to those events or experiences to active listeners; • Desires to come forth to tell his/her/their story and who Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners have reviewed as credible, i.e. via news story from reputable source, witnesses, or other forms of documentation; and/or May represent a community, neighborhood, street, school, local business, etc. What is a Trauma -Informed Approach to Truth Telling? An understanding of trauma, multigenerational trauma, re -traumatization in the truth telling process and how it impacts giving and witnessing testimony, as well as how to create spaces that are culturally sensitive, is imperative in working respectfully with Black and BIPOC communities. The term, "trauma -informed care," originated in healthcare and mental health agencies to help clinicians and care workers better understand how adverse childhood experiences (ACES), adverse community environments, and other situational events impact brain development, social, emotional and cognitive impairment, short and long-term health issues, and early death. Trauma -informed truth telling specifically acknowledges how members of the African -American and Indigenous communities develop adaptive behaviors as a consequence of multi -generational oppression resulting from centuries of chattel slavery, forced removal from ancestral lands, immigration, colonization, and other manifestations of pervasive systemic racism. Understanding what Dr. Joy Degruy names "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" (PTSS) can signal to Commissioners key patterns of behaviors in truth tellers, witnesses, as well as the public.' Commissioners will: Cultivate an awareness of trauma and its impact into all aspects of organizational functioning; Review materials provided in educational training on trauma, retraunaatization, and healing; Offer support for truth tellers and witnesses by providing community -based resources for self -care; Exercise sensitivity to truth tellers as they give testimony and to witnesses while listening to testimony, observing and taking cues from spoken and unspoken body language; Exercise their own self -care during the organizing process and truth telling hearings; and Understand that trauma from lived experiences in a racist nation is pervasive, impacts us all, and trauma memory is held in the body. What is the Role of a TRC Commissioner in Truth Telling? Commissioners serve as "witnesses for the truth" for their fellow citizens in Iowa City. That means they serve not only as TRC civil servants who are truth seekers, but they also are witnesses to truth telling along with members of the public. Responsibilities of Commissioners are to: Carry out duties of Commission as articulated in Resolution 20-228; Be present at all or most truth telling hearings, meetings, and follow-up engagements; Represent and stand in as a cross -sectional authority on the related experiences of communities across the country; Participate actively in educational trainings to gain an understanding of the historical context, methods, and importance of Truth Telling hearings at this juncture in time; `These patterns may include: 1) Vacant Esteem - feelings of hopelessness, depression and a general self-destructive outlook; 2) Marked Propensity for Anger and Violence - extreme feelings of suspicion, perceived negative motivations of others, i.e., friends, relatives, or acquaintances; 3) Racist Socialization/Internalized Racism - Learned helplessness, literacy deprivation, distorted self-concept, antipathy or aversion for one's own identified cultural/ethnic group, the mores and customs associated with one's own identified cultural/ethnic heritage, the physical characteristics of one's own identified cultural/ethnic group. https://www.iovdegruy.coui/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome 65 Consult with one another to design culturally relevant and trauma -informed Truth Telling hearings; • Be aware of the conditions and needs of the community; • Listen to, and witness, testimony on behalf of communities across the U.S.; • Provide resources for Truth Tellers to support their physical, emotional, and/or mental health needs; Check in with self and fellow witnesses about healing processes, experiences, and needs Provide analysis of testimony and offer recommendations for report to the City Council or relevant authority, including outcomes of hearings and follow-up evaluation; Assist in dissemination of findings. How Are Truth Tellers Chosen? Truth Tellers are members of the community who have a story of mistreatment to tell for the purpose of self -empowerment and healing, and who desire social and policy changes to the current conditions. In order for the community -at -large to come forth to give testimony, all members of the community must be made informed of the Commission and what the steps are for coming forth. Commissioners will: • Identify local organizations, community groups and associations (formal and informal), and school groups and associations (formal and informal) involved in social justice issues; o These might include: special interest school groups, non profits, health organizations, mutual aid groups of formerly incarcerated people, social / racial / restorative / transformative justice / abolitionist activists (individuals and groups), etc; • Reach out to leaders and members of the identified organizations, groups, and associations, seeking those who might consider speaking on issues related to the commission's focus; Ask for at least 1 reference from the community; • Schedule a time for a brief meeting to initiate and establish relationship, learn about the testimony a potential Truth Teller might give, and encourage them to identify a support person to accompany them to the Truth Telling Hearing; and • Have a clear and explicit reason why someone does not qualify as a Truth Teller, including how their presence or testimony will cause harm to another individual, group, or to the Hearing itself, if it were to be included. Preparation for Truth Tellers We Giving testimony at a Truth Telling Hearing is unlike testifying in a court setting where a witness is cross-examined by a defense or prosecuting attorney, or where a jury or judge pronounces innocence or guilt; here, a Truth Teller may have privacy, protection, and validation of any fear of retraumatization. Commissioners play an important role in assuaging Truth Tellers' concerns. Time taken to prepare Truth Tellers about what to expect, to affirm their human dignity, to feed their spirits and comfort them as they prepare to engage in difficult and painful conversation is tantamount to the truth telling process. Commissioners will: • Prepare at least one pre -meeting with truth tellers to check in with their comfort level and need for support; o Acknowledge the existence and lasting impact of trauma o Address need for internal preparation and protection against retraumatization • Meet with Truth Tellers; o Initiate and establish relationship; o Learn about the content of their testimony; o Encourage them to identify a support person to accompany them to the Truth Telling Hearing; • Build relationship with truth tellers; o Get to know them beyond their testimony; o Engage in informal conversation; o Check up on truth tellers to see how they are doing; o Invite truth tellers to formal, semi -formal, and informal events / community gatherings; • Take special care for youth / young adult truth tellers; o Inquire about community supports / access to mental health support; o Gather and offer list of community resources for support; o Foreshadow possibility of painful new / emergent memories in sharing testimony; o Make sure they have a plan for care / support to be available after providing testimony. Notes on Conducting Testimonk Provide water so that Truth Tellers may stay hydrated to mitigate the negative physiological and emotional impacts of stress on the nervous system; Thank each Truth Teller for choosing to show up and share their testimony, honoring the strength and courage required to do so; 67 • Invite the Truth Teller to introduce her/him/themselves in whatever way they feel comfortable, including name, pronouns, and place of origin; • Ask if there is anything the Truth Teller would like to share before offering their testimony; • Ask if there is anything the Truth Teller needs in order to feel supported in sharing their testimony (not to be interrupted, words of affirmation, more / no prompts / invitations to share more); • Provide a gentle invitation for the Truth Teller to share her/his/their experience, starting with the topic or theme of what they will share (i.e., police violence, housing discrimination, etc.); • Engage with curiosity, asking follow up questions like "can you clarify or say more about...;" • Allow spaces of silence (even if they feel uncomfortable for you) for the Truth Teller to breathe, emote however they need to, compose themselves, process or engage with new / emergent remembrances, etc.; • Do not impose an expectation of performed civility (i.e., allow Truth Tellers to use profanity, utter inarticulable language, scream, etc. if they are so moved by emotion); Offer occasional words of affirmation and encouragement when the Truth Teller seems to be struggling to continue; Be gentle and patient in speech, compassionate in responses offered; Suspend any personal judgments that arise based upon your personal life experience or worldview; Make sure to thank each truth teller for the gift of their sharing; • Allow a moment of breath between each testimony, encouraging all participants to take care of themselves and each other throughout the hearing (i.e., drink water, remember to breathe, touch base with their bodies, engage in whatever personal grounding practice they may have, step out of the room and/or engage with a fellow community member outside of the room if they are feeling too activated / triggered to stay in the space). Examples of Questions for Pre -Meetings and Listening Posts Provide potential Truth Tellers with a brief overview of the TRC's purpose and areas of focus: Fact -Finding, Truth Telling, and Reconciliation. Briefly explain the nature of Truth Telling Hearings and how they will provide a supportive opportunity for silenced, oppressed, and marginalized people to have a voice in creating change in the systems that have been harming their communities for generations. When multiple people are gathered, Commissioners might open with a brief formal greeting: "Thank you for participating in this (event / conversation). We are trying to find out how racial injustice impacts the experience of services and experiences in the life of our city. We will pose a .: series of questions to the group and encourage you to be as open as you are able. The more clearly we hear and understand the broad, painful, and widespread impact of this injustice, the more we can do to change it." • What has been your experience with `police / school / healthcare?" • Can you identify positive aspects of that interaction? • Can you identify negative aspects of that interaction? • Did anyone intervene on your behalf? • How would you have wanted support? • Were you harmed as a result of that interaction? Please describe the harms that were inflicted. • What would you need to experience harm repair? • In the context of interactions with police/school/health care what does justice look like for you? Who is a Witness? Witnesses can include a broad cross-section of society, such as those who are interested in learning more about the experiences of individuals who experienced racialized police violence, city council leaders and policymakers, family members, healers, and neighbors. A witness also has the desire to expose a community's harm against its other members and is passionate about social and racial justice change. A witness is a person who is aware that listening to testimony about sensitive and emotional material may trigger emotion or retrigger past experiences of their own mistreatment. Witnesses are invited to take care of themselves however they need to, trying as much as possible to stay and remain present to what is being shared. Witnesses will: • Acknowledge that their perceptions of experiences are filtered through culture, politics, bias, stereotypes, etc.; • Understand bearing witness to testimony from those who have experienced direct or indirect oppression, violence, racism and/or other forms of discrimination may be unsettling, uncomfortable, and triggering; and Maintain the confidentiality and privacy of Truth Tellers. What is the Role of a Witness? People who hear witness to truth telling make a conscious decision to open their hearts and minds to the lived experiences of those whose communities and bodies have been targeted for elimination, erasure. The testimony may lead a witness to cultivate an awareness or reckoning of decolonizing change by dismantling colonial attitudes, beliefs, institutions, and structures that can transform policy (Nagy, R.2020). Becoming a witness to truth telling is to actively engage in a process alongside and with the Truth Teller. TRC Commissioners know witnesses also require preparation that is just as important as preparation for Truth Tellers. Commissioners will: • Account for the needs of those bearing witness by providing tissues on the table and slips of Paper and pens if they want to make a note of something that was said or keep track of a thought or question to discuss later; • Provide water so that those witnessing trauma may stay hydrated to mitigate the negative Physiological and emotional impacts of stress on the nervous system; • Take the opportunity in preparing witnesses to watch just a few or several videos from The Truth Telling Project website. Visit TheTruthTellingProject.org/ITTL to find recordings and hear from our truth tellers. Other informative videos include: Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing in Kamloops (Canada) - httos: //svww.youtube.coni/watch?v=eZsIdEWAd2o ■ Jeanette Jules testifies about a reverend known as Hawkeye who was often drunk and once punched and kicked a student unconscious. ■ Important to have tissues and water readily available to truth tellers TRC (South Africa): Episode 01, Part 04 - httos://www.yc)utube.cc)m/watch?v=Oylugd6ZPf'Nt&list=PLjxBiEgIOSX cA4kIlo21JE1Bsi8Ysgr&1 ndex=5 ■ Powerful testimony and revelations shared of State -sanctioned killings carried out by security forces. ■ Be prepared for strong displays of emotion (4:32) o Truth Teller Testimonials: Mike Brown, Sr. (Ferguson)- litps://www.Xoutube.com/watch?v=zlOrzROneHs&list—PLOh2 M2x7misBMv7-Ov4nri7mCdsi9 4XU&index=12& ■ Truth Teller Mike Brown Sr. is the father of Michael Brown Jr., the youth who was fatally shot by police officers in Ferguson, MO on August, 9, 2014. His son's killing spawned a social and political 70 movement against police brutality throughout the nation, including birthing a generation of social justice community activists who are working tirelessly for criminal justice reform and transformation. o Mali: la Commission Verite, Justice et Reconciliation organise des audiences publiques ("In Mali, the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission is organizing public hearings of testimonies from victims of abuses by independence and jihadist rebels in the north of the country") - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGNnncq I ■ (Not in English) Women sharing about sexual violence, veiled and sitting in darkness as a form of comfort and protection, with the Commission on the other side of the room. Truth Teller Testimonials: Armani Brown (Ferguson) - lift s://www.youtube.coni/watch?v=18-j9KinmBX4&list=PLOh2 M2x7tn1sBMv7-Ov4nri7mCdsi9 4XU&index=l ■ Truth Teller Armani Brown talks about her father, who was shot by police. Her experience with her loving father differs from the perception police officers hold of Black men and also addresses how police brutality against other members of the Black community retriggers the original trauma of violence and loss. ■ Example of hour Commissioners can set up a projector screen for truth tellers to share images and other media to support them in their testimony. o Tunisia's victims of abuse testify on television - httos: /hv-,N•w.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tbns-12LOOAE ■ Victims of rape and torture in Tunisia, along with the relatives of murder victims, are giving evidence in televised hearings. The Truth and Dignity Commission aims to help Tunisians collie to terms with a brutal period in history. ■ Example that shows the presence of the public / witnesses to the truth State of Fear: The Truth about Terrorism (Peru's War on Terror 1980-2000) - httns://www.yc)utube.com/watch?v=WC 1hAJOi6BE ■ 13 Commissioners were empowered by the new Peruvian government to uncover the truth about the 20-year war. ■ This section includes reflections from Commissioner Beatriz Alva Hart, a witness to the truth, on what it meant to listen to testimony, including new understandings attained (1:19:18-1:23:43). Ferguson: As Told By Us (short film) - httns://www.voutube.com/watch?v—ht)Y5ZaLsEHM&list—PLOh2 M2x7mIsBMv7-Ov4nri7mCdsi9 4XU&index=21 ■ Over the course of 10 days, an activist group of four young protesters —Angel Noland, Destiny Moore, Valanah Smith, and Myjia Smith, 14-17 years of age —worked with The Babel Project in partnership with The Truth Telling Project to make a film about Ferguson from their perspective. 71 ■ The Babel Project works with youth activists around the world to teach them how to document injustice and share their stories with the world. ■ This stands as an example of how community members, especially young people, can utilize creative forms of media to share their experiences and engage in truth telling outside of formal hearings. Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation Commission Findings - littps://youtu.be/li47zdTdxflM?si=18tHR12iisk3DzFX ■ The first Truth & Reconciliation Commission in the US holds a public ceremony for their findings and recommendations for The Greensboro Massacre on November 3, 1979. After reviewing documents, evidence from the trials and countless hours of public and private statements with people that came forward about that day. This is what they conclude. A brief summary. Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation Commission Records - https: //-,Nm w.youtube.coni/plavlist?list=PLvIDH7FgI0oGlhxI3mgHMgGfEpLdODNNe ■ The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Collection, housed at the Thomas F. Holgate Library of Bennett College, contains documents concerning the fatal clash between members of the Communist Workers Party (CWP) and members of the Ku Klux Klan and the Nazi Party which occurred on November 3, 1979, as well as the subsequent investigation and findings of the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Digitization of this collection is in progress through the first six months of 2024. 72 What is Authentic or Radical Listening? A witness listens with authenticity in order to hear the fullness of what the truth teller is saying. Authentic, radical listening is a term that emerged in social and racial justice circles, and is called for in truth telling hearings. In this way, radical listening is like a prayer. In Western culture, this deep and respectful listening is a skill in need of cultivation, as it is not historically taught. To develop empathy, to develop the capacity to take multiple perspectives, and to feel —all in order to act —we must learn how to listen. Listening begins when we allow the mind to find comfort in quiet, still awareness. We wait. We wait for understanding to reveal itself. We come together in a circle in the spirit of harmony instead of power, cooperation, and patience instead of competition, and privacy instead of control. Post Truth Telling Lessons learned from fruitful TRCs emphasize the importance of what happens directly after a Truth Telling Hearing and over time for both those giving testimony and those hearing witness. Truth Tellers have opened up wounds from remembering suffering and loss that may or may not have healed, including loss and resilience, anger and acceptance, denial and remorse, shame and pride, despair and hope. Witnesses may experience a myriad of conflicting emotions shaped by their own positionality and relationship to historic complicity, including feelings of guilt, shame, responsibility, and accountability. Commissioners will: Provide support immediately after the Truth Telling Hearing; • Develop a method for feedback and continued learning (i.e., how was your experience of the hearing; did you feel supported, heard, and affirmed; what would you like to see done differently; etc.); • Determine a method to collect responses and protect responders; • Use survey responses to guide future hearings; • Develop and send an emerging needs survey three months after hearing (i.e., after participating in the hearing, are there any needs that have arisen for you or your community); • Maintain relationships (i.e., reach out via phone, text, or email); • Update truth tellers of outcomes of the hearings; • Invite truth tellers to TRC events and gathering commissioners attend. 73 Resources • A Truth Hearing: Siblings of those killed by police or community violence share stories (1:06 listen; several short audio clips in the article) - https://w-,N•w.stlpr.org/govertiment-politics-issues/2016-08-05/a-truth-hearing-siblings-of-those-killed- by-police-or-community-violetce-share-stories#stream/0 • Eduardo Gonzalez — Howard Varney: Truth -Seeking. Elements for Creating an Effective Truth Commission - httns://www.icti.org/sites/default/files/ICTI-Book-Truth-Seeking-2013-English.pdf • TTP Toolkit - available upon request from The Truth Telling Project • Legal mandates for truth commissions that organized public hearings o Canada-https://www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca/SCHEDULE N.pdf o Greensboro - httl2s://greensborotrc.org/mandate. o Kenya-https://www.usil2.org/12ublications/2009/07/truth-commission-kenva o Peru-htto://www.cverdad.orgpe/lacomision/cnc)rmas/nc)rmasOl.phhp o SouthAfrica-https://www.usii2.org/42ublicatic)ns/1995/12/truth-commission-south-africa • Documentary film (fragments) o Adam Maze:Daamland-https://www.12bs.org/indel2endentlens/documentaries/diwnland/ o Max Du Preez: TRCSpecial Report series - https://sabctrc.saha.org.za/el2isodes.htm o Pamela Yates: State of Fear: The Truth about Terrorism (Peru " ld�ar on Terror 1930-2000) - httvs://,,vww.youtube.com/watcli?v—WC 1hAlOi6BE&t-4836s 74 Fact Finding The following subsection contains documents centered on Fact finding aspects of the TRC. 75 Data presented to TRC February 1, 2024 Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Memo regarding Fact -Finding Research on Public Safety, Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement By Kearns & West (Dr. Larry Schooler and Laurel Cohen) 1 /29/2024 This memo is intended as a preliminary overview of facts that have been collected by the IC Truth and Reconciliation Commission Fact -Finding facilitators from Kearns & West. These facts have been gathered in the time elapsed of Phase I and Phase II of the contract period, excluding the pause in our work in November. The purpose of this report is to spur dialogue amongst TRC commissioners about what to make of this information and what other data should be sought to paint a fuller picture of the issue of Public Safety/Law Enforcement/ Criminal Justice. TRC commissioners prioritized this topic above a dozen others as the one to focus on first and use as a pilot. Once the facilitators' contracts are concluded, the insights gleaned from this pilot will drive and inform how the TRC handles the other key topics it chose to tackle in 2024 (Economic Development and Education). Police Funding (Iowa City vs. other cities in Iowa, similarly sized cities by population, national average) Comparison Table SelecteC City State Average National Average Similar Population.. Papulotioa 77,390 13,131 21;_;9 77131 Toto Officers OS 23 10 '52 iota riviliars 23 13 21 Cd rpt. Cmp.,a., 106 36 /0 136 officers ra:e a,, i.000 llu 175 2.1 1.24 Source: Police Department Size Calculator 76 POLICE FUNDING 6 POLICE FUNDING BY YEAR NUMBER OF OFFICERS PER 1K POPULATION $13.43M 79,964Resicents 51 ]J per Re dent ] Otfi:.ers 9.6oer 10k Resider,--, Vol,Pcllc Punting per Capita than ID%otDcpts MOrc Otficcrsper PDPLIlatlr,nthan _''Act Oepts . vmme I eo,zmy ,, co,r.aioez sisv. 5c:;, Fed c1LFd( N.bam 5oerre: USfenzus Bureau Source: Police Scorecard 77 Disproportionate Minority Contact Study As part of the Iowa City Police Department's ongoing efforts to ensure fair and equitable policing, the Department has collected demographic data on traffic stops. From 2006 to 2020, that data was analyzed by Dr. Christopher Barnum, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Saint Ambrose University. In 2023, the Police Department entered into an agreement with the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa to continue the analysis of traffic stop data. The Public Policy Center has proposed a traffic study that implements several strategies that may bolster the current understanding of racial disparities in Iowa City traffic stops. The goal of the study is to present a holistic, comprehensive evaluation intended to complement past analyses of Iowa City traffic stop disparities. This traffic study will support the Department's continued commitment to eliminating racial profiling, heightening awareness of implicit bias, and building trust and respect between law enforcement and all communities and persons in Iowa City. Working with the University of Iowa Public Policy Center additionally supports the ICPD's desire to work with community partners and invest in local collaborations. FA Previous Findings Using data from 2019 and 2020 traffic stop behavior, Barnum's most -recent study found steady or decreasing amounts of disproportionality in traffic stops. The study also found 'comparatively low levels of disproportionality' in outcomes for citations. While higher levels of disproportionality were noted in arrest outcomes, Barnum's study noted almost all arrests involved offenses in which the officer had 'little or no choice in deciding to make an arrest.' ("non discretionary offenses") "These are offenses that due to state law of departmental policy, leave officers with very little or no choice in deciding whether or not to make an arrest. Officers are in essence required to arrest, and would in fact, be subject to departmental discipline if they chose not to arrest. These types of charges include offenses like bench warrants, driving while barred and operating while intoxicated. Analyses show that in the overwhelming majority instances where an arrest was made, officers had little choice in the matter. Please see appendix -IV for tables showing information regarding the number and percentage of nondiscretionary arrests as well as arrest information by benchmark." Source: Iowa City Police Traffic Study, Brief Summary, 2019 and 2020 Appendix IV Scup anu Ujlcurlc Infurr'ljtio I 11:19 Hdw'rrutmdtiun' Racy Nn-A.rrest; — Nnn Dkcrl=tin nary ----- - Pprrent Non -Di; -- _N_o. S7np V.,hItr= 4dA 4177 03.1 1759 Asiar 37 3: 'in.R 821 Hlark 7s. 730 41.fi 7183 Hispanr r}4 RR rH fi 84'1 N 111ve 7 7 100 76 i)Thp, 4 4 10C 71 l}r knn,A'n R R IOCI 3S5 Totals 839 780 92.9 14480 ' 1Utdl', far stups drlalytrle, swp odium vdlucs bhN'A'-1 In r•tdlrl part ul ducLnrcr( i.N-'41111 C,KLlUdC ruN's y.9Vi r'1 55rr'yg tdcc Irtor11rjuur jJSiIStop I-3adt;u"1161 dr•uUlftcu-t1C Itrfor01611LV1I()I. 2319 A\ est N.I m be,S ny Bench Mark' R3Ce No Amli.t °ei Ar'rr;', Tn t,al h4norHv ',90 3i1 zeal WRA 11](14h 474 10W7 Total 13286 930 14116 ' Tctals eHcl1-Ce m ssirg and urkno'.Vn 'jalues, inclad r,4 355 stops W!F dfl KR::yir rare Urfa"nallon, Fight stops w,:h mivs;ng �too:are i�format'on and one messing YaI',1Ptnr rre%t type.. 79 Source: Iowa City Police Traffic Study, Brief Summary, 2019 and 2020 Arrests,2012-2016 Race Number of Arrests % of IC Population (2020 Census) White 401,420 75.9% Black or African American 97,899 8.5% American Indian or Alaska Native 8,629 0.3% Asian 4,007 7.9% Native Hawaiian 0 0% Violent and Property Crime (but not individual crime) Offenses, 2012-2016 [potential other types of crimes to add: Destruction/Damagelvandalism of Property, Drug/Narcotic Violations] Race Number of Offenses (total5784) % of IC Population (2020 Census) White 480+2060=2540 75.9% Black or African American 638+2385=3023 8.5% American Indian or Alaska Native 1+3+0=4 0.3% Asian 20+31+1=52 7.9% Native Hawaiian 0+0+0=0 0% Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Census Bureau Scorecard for the Iowa City Police Department Data from 2013-2021 Force Used per Arrest: This category refers to non -lethal tactics —including using a taser, chemical spray, impact weapon, or K9 deployment —as well as to killings by police. The measure of 28% listed for the ICPD means that the ICPD used more force per arrest than 72% of departments, including one instance of deadly force, in the time specified. Excessive Force Complaints Upheld: This category captures what percentage of complaints were upheld when civilians alleged that police officers used excessive force. There were 28 complaints made over this nine-year period, of which 4% (or 1-2 of them) were ruled in favor of civilians. The measure of 4% listed refers only to the percentage upheld: unlike the measure of "force used per arrest," for example, the measure of "excessive force complaints upheld" does not compare the ICPD to other police departments. Caution when interpreting results is recommended when the sample size (overall number) is small, like this number 28. Discrimination Complaints Upheld: This category speaks to what percentage of complaints were upheld when civilians alleged that police officers practiced discrimination. There were 10 complaints made over this nine-year period (the latest of which was in 2019), of which 0% (none of them) were ruled in favor of civilians. The measure of 0% listed refers only to the percentage upheld: unlike the measure of "force used per arrest," for example, the measure of "excessive force complaints upheld" does not compare the IPCD to other police departments. Caution when interpreting results is recommended when the sample size (overall number) is small, like this number 10. FM Arrest Rate for Low Level Offenses: This category examines how often the perpetrators of low-level offenses were arrested for those crimes. The measure of 24% listed for the IPCD means that the ICPD arrested people at a higher rate for low-level offenses than 76% of departments, with 18,651 arrests for low-level offenses out of 25,450 total arrests during the time specified. Racial Disparities in Drug Arrests: This category explores whether the perpetrators of low-level offenses are arrested at different rates depending on race and ethnicity. The measure of 15% listed for the ICPD comes from the fact that Black people were 7.7x more likely, and Latine/Hispanic people were 1.9x more likely, to be arrested for low-level, non-violent offenses than a white person. Source: Police Department Size CalculatorU1 Source: Police Scorecardo Source: Iowa City, Disproportionate Minority Contact StudyQj Source: `Iowa City Police Traffic Study, Brief Summary, 2019 and 2020'[41 Source: `'Iowa City Police Traffic Study, Brief Summary, 2019 and 2020'j51 Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Census Bureau[6] ]L7j Source: "Police Scorecard'L8J FW Data presented to TRC March 18, 2024 Examples from other TRCs Greensboro TRC Types of evidence - Internal police records - Trial testimony - Newspaper reports/books "Balance of probabilities," AKA "preponderance of evidence" Types of questions - Consistent recall? - Firsthand or secondhand? - Bias? - Story matches? - Makes sense? Canada TRC - Obligation to turn over documents (federal government and church school administrators); often resisted. - Police investigative records of residential schools - Student admissions, school histories, administration records, photographs, maps, plans, and drawings from the federal and provincial offices and various religious entities - 113 categories of records/sources of facts found: physical objects, yearbooks, paintings, music, legislation, diaries, contracts, cartoons Maine TRC: Indian Affairs Archives Elements of a dominant narrative or counter -narrative about Wabanaki peoples Tribal -state relationships in Maine Wabanaki child welfare Wabanaki incarceration experiences National context related to child welfare or state -Tribal relationships Maine TRC: Child and Family Services Archives - Statistical reports that documented racial demographics of children in the child welfare and adoption systems - Training -related materials (i.e. curriculum, planning, proposals, contracts) - Working relationship of Wabanaki Tribal nations or organizations and the state - Reports and recommendations related to Native children in the state child welfare and adoption systems Maine TRC: Fact-finding summary documents - Timeline of Tribal -state relationships, with dominant narratives and counter -narratives, and key events at - Documentation of the presence and absence of ICWA in Child and Family Services training, planning, and procedural materials - Documentation of recommendations made by oversight committees and task forces related to Native children in the child welfare system in Maine - Documentation of ICWA and culturally relevant training efforts and recommendations - Aggregation of statistical materials related to representation of Native children in the state child welfare system and adoptions Size of the Iowa City Police Department Comparison Table 5PIP W c!Ir 5tgt, A,,-,. Nptiong A,,.,P S-I'r P.P.I.Uon Pn_urr-ur 7,'-�U 13.431 21.�2, ,306 -vm CrI — 9s 2] a3 142 21 li e'1 94 o:U E'nplUYuuY :0B 3< r, 13b ❑IrIUPr$ U•P F9'lU!i[: 1il 1.15 [-:1 'I Fd Source: Source: IC FY 24 budget public hearing presentation ICPD Personnel Demographics 2019 ICPD Sworn Staffing Comparisons (number of sworn positions per 1,000 residents) N[g I('n C 011)[I'Ll M tiO5 a\'Ol 1-0 IM Fot:r I[3tgct citic5 m 159 1v1idc,estern itieti! ;itl, Population he[h^ean_ 1.5 US N.etage 2 3 ova Crty 1 1.12 0 05 1 15 Z 25 ■ US H:erage Miclriestern Cit esvf[f Po1)Ulation betr,een 50K-100K ❑ Four I"rgel b"IC,5 in lo, ,'. Pig Ter commLimitie, average Source: IC FY 24 budget public hearing presentation 5 60 2 fib 86.1% 0 0 10 1 11 13.9% 5 70 3 79 - }':asi 1.3% 1 6.3% 1 88.6% 1 3.8% 1 - 0 Apps Receivec Undisclo,ed, 12 2+. 18 1 White, 165 Hisf)miicM Asian. 8 Blackoi Af-Aw. 38 H spzi- - li-cliac. Noti. - ""Flil--i- F ;irk,) A�-Aiv N ITI U )c Whitc. 32 Written Test H i n pa ii ic.. Asian. 2 Blac k or Af Am 12 C s '11, G,j Ai i; N ial 2- Source: Documentation from ICPD provided to Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) M, Physical Fitness Hisl:ar-Ic .'-1r1'.EI IIICI II'.ii r..11 `_:.{(I ,:il:`.'2 AS:.11l K ck or Af-Am. 2'. 4 .. •.ite • 2- Waite. 26 Hispanicker Indian Alaska Native, 0 Asian. 3 Black or Af-Am, d NH/PI, 0 go Undisclosed. 1 2+. 2 Hisnarrc G,c:ck cr ''',f-' m ■ 2— Interview Hispanic, 3 1 White, 44 Asian, 2 Black or Af-Am.6 Amer Ir-c: n Alaskr, Nat .e Asiar- NH!Pi Ai i[e m undisc.oseci b,,:cIco A -All) ■ 2_ Certified HirinoUst Undisclosed. 1 2+.2 1 White, 27 HiSI)amc.3 As Ill), 1 Black orAf-Aril. S NH.P iIil'f ■ Urdi;;�lor�:i Source: Documentation from ICPD provided to Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Applications Received Percent Hired Applicants Hired Percent of Werkiorce Population Source: CALEA documentation from ICPD Other Notes on Recruitment $5,000 bonus offered to certified officers who have gone through the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy "Most departments have an application period and will not accept any more applicants after that period has ended. Chief Liston said the Iowa City Police offer flexibility regarding when people take the state -required written and physical tests." 90 Source: IC F}'24 Or. average, 44%nf ( it ben eraI I Lind I xp er P.a Lira% in ti-.e Sta:e n, Icw,a IS fDrPLUIC 5JfCly Fur srnilar sired cities in IowA., P.I bait Sal Pt As a per: e nt a Ile of Gen e 1 al _ I ,:nd I xpPrdit.rP% is 51% In Iowa City, 39%of General Fund Expenditure isfor Public Safety U .:l:l' L - I0w'5 City. Iowa atil lr.rn'on U:1 �or°ns [a:: noun- Source: IC FY 24 budget public hearing presentation _. \IJ.S!'.V r1 \IJ.J IO,SOU \Id.JJJ.V01 ll r. �JU.OJo >lo.ldu.l �L \IU. ju 1.J5' \L .J1u.. 'J Lurca.r: 43°a 2-6°o i, 00o 3.0°o Li°o ;, S°o Source: IC FY 24 budget public hearing presentation 91 Comparison for 2022: Policing: $13.6m Housing: $12.7m Health: $0.86m Health expenditures includes public health activities (not hospital care) • spending on all environmental health activities • health regulation and inspection • water and air pollution control • mosquito control • animal control warden • inspection of food handling establishments • ambulance and paramedic services not part of a fire department • public health nursing • vital statistics collection, Housing and community development expenditures include all gross expenditures for urban renewal housing projects and similar activities. %Vhire 401.410 ?S°° Kwk or.ktl'ICAII Am erica a o-,Soo la°° S.7°° AIIIe Lilan hlNlAn or.ilaska S.o10 1°° 0.30° \.1 rive Asian 1'00- \ari�•e Hawaiian 0 0°° 0°° 92 \Cftite 1.740 41°n -.A°o Bla.k or �hican averican ..0-] 7,°a 8_710 AMel CAR Indiau or.;laska J 000` O.P \ arive .psi ne, ., 00000 .\,trit'e H,n1'aii.m 0 coo O°o Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Census Bureau ICPD Traffic Stops 2022 by Race Other Llckcoc:n hatr.o Amm C do Latino BIackrAfricar Ar•PI leaf 17c, Ca UC d star G014. •Asian/PI Hlack/AfiI I. IAn'0riI' iauC1,111 Ldti ro Wtit'a An•oncar rthl , ■ Urkro• n 93 1CPD Traffic Stops 2023 by Race n•. hari:�+lriericd i t:;tl'c�r r.kI, ..:n 3:. 3Iac:/Africar All if -I I( III'. 29c ■ ,aian; �I Latino ■ l:nkr3;r..:n Source: City Stops Study Bl ck A.fr car Ar?rlCdn Ca!,casian W.I.-e AireIic.=.r ■ Othar Notable: 2020 ICPD policy on stops - An Iowa City Police Department policy adopted in 2020 limited when police officers stop residents based only on minor pedestrian/traffic violations that did not pose an immediate threat to public safety. - The policy was introduced in a memo from Interim Police Chief Denise Brotherton ... stating that violations no longer warranting a dedicated stop include cracked windshields, loud exhaust, cracked taillights, window treatments, and jaywalking. - Brotherton said ... that historical data points show minority drivers often have a higher chance of being stopped by law enforcement than non -minority drivers, and that this new policy would hopefully contribute to a reduction of that disparity. 94 - "The desired outcome is for the public to view traffic enforcement solely as an effort to help ensure safety of the public and not as a punitive action for non -safety related issues," Brotherton said in the memo. "The intent of following this traffic -stop guideline is also consistent with our overall goal of eliminating any occurrence of bias -based policing practices." Source: The Gazette, Nov 9, 2020 State of Iowa vs. City policy "Back the Blue" law - SF 342 signed by Gov. in 2021. - Prevents municipal governments from enacting policies like the 2020 policy where officers are directed not to enforce certain laws. - Would penalize local governments if they "adopt policies that discourage enforcement of any state, local, or municipal laws." - ICPD stops <40% 2023 (from 2022) Pending bill on civilian oversight - A state bill that would prohibit Iowa cities from having citizen police review boards to review police misconduct and discipline is out of a legislative committee. - President of Iowa -Nebraska NAACP quoted as saying civilian review boards started in response to racial profiling by police. Sources: State of Iowa, Iowa Public radio, Des Moines Register, ICPD 95 Iowa City Population Demographics Source: Male Warnings 75 % Source: CALEA documentation for ICPD (2020) Nhite Asian :Black or African American ® Hispanic or Latino American Indian or Alaska Native Native Hawaiian Male Citations Female Citations Male Warnings Female Warnings Source: CALEA documentation for ICPD (2021) Comparison of Group A and Group B Offenses Group A: more serious - Theft - Assault - Robbery/Burglary - Sex Offenses - Fraud Total Group A offenses (2019): 4,347 Total Group B offenses (2019): 3,577 Male Citations Female Citations 97 GROUP B CRIME ARRESTS OWI, DUI, or Operating wl 601 Controlled Substance Present Public Intoxication J 801 Driving License + Registration 486 Violations Under 21 in a bar after 10pm 296 Liquor Law Violations (Unlawful drinking locations, open 359 container. PAULAs. providing alcohol 10 a minor, etc,} Interference (includes interference causingfintending 226 injury) 691 588 6D2 590 -5% 762 539 435 465 % -27% 489 437 418 534 +17`. 298 268 305 791 I, +171 � 364 427 356 208 -05% 261 184 228 248 GROUP B CRIME ARRESTS No Contact, Abuse. Stalking Protective Order Violations 132 120 153 137 152 =i2 Disorderly Conduct 156 171 121 121 119 -16% Criminal Trespass and Trespass 166 124 132 105 108 18% Injury/Damage Use of Another's ID or Providing 110 75 54 71 93 -20': False Identification Info Possess. Suspended, fake, or 66 82 71 62 91 -30" altered ID _Disorderly House _ 105 _90 47 fit 46 _ -39% Harassment (2nd Degree, 3rd 44 27 38 45 49 +27` Degree. of Public Official) Urinate in Public 72 49 21 21 38 -7% Neglect I Endangerment of a 22 26 20 35 45 =75° minor Source: 2020 Preliminary Plan to Accelerate Community Policing Total ICPD Use of Force Incidents By Year 77,626 K(?i?iii7 G7,350 68,69/ 67,584 66,505 65,820 65,581 70000 61,655 1000) j0 50000 40000 30000 20000 10uu0 28 36 26 27 31 21 24 24 0 20:.5 2�)16 201! 2018. 2019 2020 2 02 1 2022 ❑U5e of Foice Ir,Licer:5 ■T•_tal _0.115 iw 5 .e Sources: 2020 Preliminary Plan to Accelerate Community Po/icing, Iowa City Police Department 2022 Annual Report Total Uses of Force f 2020 Total Use of Force Arrests r 9M Total Agency Custodial Arrests Total Number of Suspects Receiving Non -Fatal Injuries F... Source: CALEA documentation from ICPD Total Uses of Force 2021 Total Use of Force Complaints 2020 Total Use of Force Arrests Total Use of Force Complaints r` i e 100 Total Agency Custodial Arrests 2021 Source: CALEA documentation from ICPD Total Number of Suspects Receiving Non -Fatal Injuries 101 2022ICPD Use 0' For_e Totals h; CFS Ttipe 1�mcl D soosit cr All 102 20231CPD Use Of Forcc Totals by CFS Type and Disposition - Encountersthat Res ultcd in Arrests . `l. . i. _ .... ... •`. .i na.u. o :.P..;.....,..: ■ 103 50TH WORSE PERCENTILE BETTER POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY: 31% Misconduct Complaints Upheld Excessive Force Complaints Upheld 4% Discrimination Complaints Upheld O% Of all complaints processed, the Board agreed with all of the Police Chief's investigation findings 111 out of 119 times. For the other eight cases, the Board disagreed on at least one allegation's disposition and reversed the Chiefs decision. Source: 2020 Preliminary Plan to Accelerate Community Policing 105 Number of Allegations by Type & Disposition (Of all allegations from 1997 - Present) t. wpor --�EJC.4 A I CC: N IN 1(-T VIPPOJLH L-PvUP-11-i I i r�i iA .S %1 1. N T Cr,. ;N -1 [A 1. IAT 0-4 k Y L 1, \-' L A U'.4.:. •-,1 m. Cr VP, A:r—\'.SUr. k!jwi:% p I '—�..FRANI F9 - I ArIM E OF AR*,i I"JL,. %JL I F, P.•L"'P. 11, A., 1i Ni ?I F MAW. P- CINC. N5 ALI.1 0I I AL : I i Pq I - I I N,,U6:v(1 ni� rA.',L P:-:1 ii f:[ P;jjilf VPFCW4V IiP NAW :jLAI : NVF.,1 6M '4 LAL� U� Ll� n9r, 5: 'VIL r V11 I !)R r.:VA-% R (;-I' V '),Ar pN C (;W),RAr,r rip. k4i �(, 4 'r-ALIAT DI, Ki"F 1. - . -A',' A,. P 21 I 1C S I U I I I - L-U Pr'L'L ' s" :L.T' vjF,-,.'1NTL 11R.), A-Ii�N -ACri, Source: 1o6 Sustained CPRB Allegations, 1997-2020 Number and Category of Allegations 'Sustained' by Board (Percentage of Total Allegations) UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT EXCESSIVE use 0 F FORCE %- -;L. (0.19%) IMPROPER PROCEDURE ! _ =_'t-,(0.86%) UNWARRANTED CITATION, CHARGE, OR ARRESTL-_'4^ (0.29%) UNLAWFUL ENTRY,SEARCL,ANO(ORSEIZURE ice.---. .,r== .(0,57%) NEGLECT OE HEALTH OR SAFELY J'Y', (0.29%) V LOCK OF OR NO SERVICE L1(0.29%J IMPROPER INTERVIEW/INTERROGATION TACTICS 1iti� a (0.79%) 0 L 2 3 4 5 6 7 Source: Camplannr and Internal. Iffrrirs - Rcaeereditati✓n I car 3 Data Collection Period: 1, 1;2020 - 1231,2021 Year I Year2 Externallcitimn Complaint Citizen Complaint Ill 27 Sustained 3 4 Not Sustained 4 S Unfounded 3 6 Exooemted 0 12 Internal/Directed Complaint Directed Complaint 33 88 Sustained 27 42 Not Sustained 6 46 Unfounded 0 0 Lxonerated 0 0 Source: CALEA documentation from ICPD 107 ICPD: Police Accountability - CPRB reviews reports prepared after investigation of complaints. - Own written reports that explain why and the extent to which complaints should be sustained or not sustained. - The CPRB reviews police policies, procedures, and practices, and may recommend modifications to them. - The CPRB has only limited civil administrative review powers and has no power or authority over criminal matters or police discipline. It is not a court of law and is not intended to substitute for any form of legal action against the Police Department or the City. - 2 community member concerns regarding bias -based policing in traffic contacts, field contacts, or asset forfeiture in 2021. - The first concern was a telephone complaint of a bias -based traffic stop. A review of the stop exonerated the officer finding their actions were justified, lawful, and proper. - The second concern was that an officer followed the complainant while driving. A review of this incident determined it was unfounded as it had been another agency. Source: CALEA data compiled by ICPD Selected Lawsuits Against City/ICPD/Officers Cases: - To/sfon v. ICPD, dismissed (2021) - Henrichs v. ICPD, dismissed (2020) - Airhart v. ICPD, dismissed (2018) - Burgs v. ICPD, dismissed (2015) - Bokassa v. ICPD, dismissed (2014) - Haig v. ICPD, dismissed (2011) - Watson v. ICPD, settled (2022) - Kelly v. City of Iowa City, pending (2021) Italics = allegations of illegal behavior by officers on street. Bold = B I ack/Afri can -American party Watson: - Anthony Watson sued the two cities (IC and Coralville) and two police officers for negligence resulting in personal injury, false arrest, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious prosecution. - Stopped for reckless driving, tested negative for alcohol and for drugs, though drug use evaluation found he was under influence of marijuana. - Settled by two cities for $390,000, half paid by each city. i Kelly: - Chris Kelly sued IC and Johnson Co. for "illegal racial profiling," racial discrimination, failure to intervene, civil conspiracy, false arrest, unconstitutional polices and practices. - Jailed for eight months, released after federal judge said case amounted to "a story of 'walking while Black."' - Allegedly stopped on pretext at direction of county prosecutor. - Judge dismissed portions of lawsuit related to racial discrimination. Sources: News reports Additional Context on Mr. Watson's Case: - One of the officers involved in the case forced a 15-year-old Black male to the ground during an arrest at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center in Iowa City [2015]. Some viewed that behavior as discrimination based on a video posted on social media, and the encounter prompted an calling for the "end of discrimination against Black youth." ICPD subsequently modified its arrest procedures and policies to deploy more "de-escalation techniques" prior to officers using force. - This same officer also was under investigation after being employed by the state of Iowa for a 2019 arrest following a fight between two women, one Black and the other white, in Des Moines, according to news reports. A video posted on social media showed the officer gave the Black woman two elbow blows to the head while she grabbed the other woman's hair. In the video, the officer pepper -sprays the Black woman while the other woman is allowed to walk away. But both were booked into jail, according to news reports. This officer and a second state officer were placed on administrative leave during an investigation but cleared of any wrongdoing a few weeks later, according to the Des Moines Register. - The officer in the two incidents resigned from ICPD but continues to work in law enforcement. Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette, July 16, 2022 An Additional Potentially Relevant Case: - John Deng, a Sudanese resident of Iowa City, was shot and killed by a Johnson County Sheriff 's Deputy in July 2009. - An investigation conducted by the Iowa Attorney General's office found that the shooting was justified because Mr. Deng had stabbed another person at the scene and refused commands to drop the knife. The deputy was cleared of any wrongdoing. - Media reports indicate that Mr. Deng had initially been struck by the other individual before Mr. Deng stabbed him. Those same reports indicate that some eyewitnesses refuted the suggestion Mr. Deng had a knife in hand and threatened the deputy before being shot. - At a press conference, speakers alleged Mr. Deng's race played a role in how the deputy handled the incident; the other individual was white and not detained. Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette, September 25, 2009 log Coralville PD Tactics to Improve Recruiting Diversity - Seeking out of advisors - Pursuit of identified candidates - Wide advertising of opportunities - High school mini academy and outreach to students - Collaboration with the NAACP - Support on the entrance exam Source: Call with Coralville PD Chief Shane Kron Sioux City PD Partnership with Native Nations - Native Advisory Council and representation - Formal and informal events throughout the year to strengthen relationships - Mutual trust and transparency when incidents occur with community members - Community Cultural Liaisons and culture of inclusion - Privacy and respect - Cultural competency training Source: Call with Sioux City PD Chief Rex Mueller ICPD Police Equity Training Police Legal Sciences Trainings: • 2013-2015: Bias -based Policing (1 hour) • 2016: Bias-based/Racial profiling/Fair and Impartial Policing (2 hours) • 2017: Bias -based profiling/Racial profiling/Fair and Impartial Policing (1 hour) • 2018: Implicit bias/Bias-based policing/Fair and Impartial Policing (1 hour) • 2020: Diverse Communities/Bias prevention (1 hour); Implicit Bias and Procedural Justice (1 hour) • 2021-2023: Implicit Bias (1 hour); Diverse Communities and Bias Prevention (2 hours) • 2024: Implicit Bias (1 hour) MATS and Other Trainings: • 2015: LGBTQ Communities and Diversity Focus • 2017: Fair and Impartial Policing (5 hours) 110 • 2023: Implicit Bias (3 hours). 2024: Implicit Bias (2 hours) • 2015: Cultural Competency • 2016: Iowa Summit on Justice and Disparities • 2017: Unbiased Policing: Recognizing & Reducing Bias in Policing; IACP Communities of Color Toolkit; Disproportionate Minority Contact • 2018: Joint Hate Crime training session; Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities; Leadership for Equity & Inclusion; Unbiased Policing • 2019: Strengthening Relationships with LGBTQ+ Communities; Anti -bias Policing; IA Summit on Justice and Disparities • 2020: Fair & Impartial Policing; As Simple as Respect: Diversity, Respect, & Inclusion in the Workplace; IA Summit on Justice & Disparities Source: Iowa City PD Crime data from FBI/DOJ: breakdown by ethnicity and by nationality; inclusion of Hispanic/Latine and Arab/Middle Eastern populations; description of how the demographic information in this dataset is generated The request for this information has been sent to the FBI. Same analysis as was conducted on the ICPD It could be useful to compare this data with for both the University of Iowa Department of the ICPD data. This data collection was not Public Safety and the Johnson County Sheriff's pursued in this project phase due to limited Department time and resources and the difficulty of comparing results across disparate agencies and geographic jurisdictions. Breakdown by race of complainants to the This data is not collected. CPRB Breakdown by race of those calling the police, This data is not collected. and of those who are the subjects of calls to the police ill Heat map of calls for service across greater See from the City. Iowa City area Types of arrests wherein force was used (i.e., This data has been requested from the nature of alleged offense, non -discretionary ICPD. stop vs. discretionary, etc.) Where To From Here? - Would be helpful to understand more how recent arrivals/immigrants/refugees experience encounters - More data on complaints that were not sustained or never filed - More on dispensation of cases once charges are filed - What outcomes are produced by training courses? - How can we measure various strategies used by the ICPD to recruit for new officers? - How are race or other aspects of identity (ethnic, cultural, nationality, gender, sexual orientation) considered as officers are hired? - How can we track preventative measures that keep crimes from occurring? L11 https://defundpolice. org/budgeti ng-tools/pol ice-depa rtment-size-calcu lator/#state=IA&police-dept=C 104&p opulation-width=5&officer-width=5&chart-limit=20 httos://defundoolice.ora/about/ [24 httos://policescorecard.org/ia/police-departmentliowa-city httos://policescorecard.org/about 131 httos://www. icgov.org/govern ment/deoartments-and-divisions/ool ice-deoartment/d isor000rtionate-minority -contact-study [441 httos://www.iowa-city.org/WebLink/DocView.asnx?id=2029774&dbid=0&reno=CityoflowaCity page 4115 [51 https://www.iowa-city.ora/WebLink/DocView.asox?id=2029774&dbid=0&reoo=CitvoflowaCity page 14/15 [61 https://cde.ucr.ciis.aov/LATEST/webapp/#/oaaes/explorer/crime/arrest u 112 Reconciliation The following subsection contains documents centered on Reconciliation aspects of the TRC. 113 On Reconciliation At the IC TRC October 5, 2023 meeting, commissioners asked for more information on Reconciliation. At that time, we responded with some of the following information. There is also new information here. Eduardo talked about the concept of Reconciliation in connection to the truth telling activities during his sessions on October 25 and 26. The videos for those sessions are archived online and can be reviewed. This document includes the following sections: • Definitions of Reconciliation • Possible processes to foster Reconciliation • Links to Reconciliation articles/resources, provided by Melinda Salazar and Leo Hylton ofThinkPeace DEFINITIONS OF RECONCILIATION 1. Reconciliation is defined in Resolution 20-228 as one of the duties of the Commission: Reconciliation - The TRC shall: 1) Provide opportunity for and facilitate direct conversation among and between community members of color, white community members and representatives of various sectors in which people of color experience discrimination and injustice (e.g. police and protesters, landlords and tenants, students and teachers, patients and health care providers, business owners and staff); 2) Create a replicable model that provides a structure for enabling these conversations throughout the city; 3) Make available opportunities for a broad cross section of the community to learn about discrimination and racial injustice in our community; and, 4) Identify and recommend to the City Council institutional and policy reforms, new social practices, expectations, protocols, habits, rituals, conversations and celebrations that will move Iowa City toward a shared experience of race and difference, justice and equity and community and harmony. 2. From Eduardo, in response to the Commission's earlier questions about Reconciliation: Reconciliation is identified in the glossary ThinkPeace provided to the Commissioner and is identified in Resolution 20-228. Reconciliation is not just a horizontal relationship between individuals or between groups. It is very encompassing. It means horizontal relationships between individuals, relations between individuals and authorities, and communities between groups, etc. Reconciliation goes in many directions. But the content of the relations in many directions needs to be one of respect and recognition of dignity. Dignity that is the opposite of a 114 situation of injustice, of a situation of white supremacy, and of a situation of discrimination in any way. So, reconciliation is the opposite of those situations we live in that have been so traumatic, so unfair, and so unjust. Reconciliation is a long and complex process to get to a situation where we all, our communities, our individuals, our own personal beings feel recognized and feel healed. 3. From Ten Lessons Learned About Truth and Reconciliation: https://medium.com/(Mthetruthtellin¢project/ten-lessons-learned-about-truth-and-reconciii ation-623e6e0bc401 A. The notion of reconciliation must be clarified before it can be accepted and implemented as an outcome of truth telling. On a very basic level, the concept of reconciliation is often linked to relationships and the idea of reuniting individuals and/or communities following some disagreement or discord. This idea is in effect nonsensical and in fact disturbing in those circumstances where there never was accord between people and communities, i.e., the capture of Africans who were brought to America to serve as slaves and experience other horrendous forms of oppression. However, where the concepts of "truth and reconciliation" are considered as a unit, reconciliation involves a coming to agreement about truth. Consequently, engaging in TRC-likened truth telling processes in the U.S. supports opportunities for the oppressed and the oppressors to come to agreement about the "original sins" and the perpetual harms, i.e., theft of life, liberty and land, Jim Crow, redlining, gentrification, police violence and other forms of structural racism — of those sins. Along those same lines, truth telling processes involves a coming to agreement about ways to support healing and repair related to the consequences of those harms. ACCESS TO TRUTHS Based on 'Ten Lessons Learned..., 'Reconciliation involves a coming to agreement about truth.' The first step would be having access to (new to them) Truths: lived experiences different from their own. This can happen in a number of ways: • In a Truth -telling event • Reading or hearing new information • Watching a video or movie • In a conversation • Reading the City Council's Resolution 20-228 The second step — coming to agreement - could include participating in a process that deepens their understanding and recognition and leads to an agreement about a truth new to them. PROCESSES THAT CAN FOSTER RECONCILIATION: 115 1. Talking Circles and Reconciliation: Talking Circles can be provided to community members as one process related to reconciliation: they provide a space of respect and recognition of the dignity of each person, where every voice and experience is valued. Whereas the Native Partners provided Healing Circles which include Indigenous spiritual practices, Sikowis Nobiss has said that the talking circle process is secular and can be offered by people of any identity. The talking circle process can be taught to and used by people throughout our community. The TRC can encourage diverse people from throughout our Iowa City/Johnson County communities to take a talking circle facilitation training so that people can experience circles facilitated by people who look and sound like them, which is one of the best practices cited at the Colorizing RJ Conference. There are good circle trainers who are part of ICCSD. Circles provide an opportunity for truth -telling, for being heard and respected and known. A circle can also be a safe space for community -building. A circle can include people with similar experiences sharing harms that have happened to them where they can tell those truths. A circle can include people sharing their experiences of harm with the person or people who caused harm. They can be used for reconciliation. In a restorative justice circle, the participants work together to shape an agreed -upon way to make things right. Exit surveys from community members who experienced 'community -building' circles in the fall of 2021, included these kind of comments:: "I felt calmer." "I felt more connected:' "I shared more than I had with these people I know." "It really gave us the opportunity to get to know the others (whether I knew them before or not) at a deeper level and to see the humanity in each individual:' These comments indicated that participating in a circle could increase personal and community connections and resilience and provide a recognition and acceptance of truths A talking circle is a restorative justice practice that not only raises racial awareness, but as Dr. Keiko Ozeki, (a member of Huayruro, a Seattle -based group skilled in organizational leadership, criminal legal systems, and grassroots and healing work), points out, "In addition to raising racial awareness, building relationships is one of the most crucial elements for restorative practices... Once we sit in the Circle together and share the stories, these collective experiences transform our perspective 'I' to 'We'. (Circle Forward: Moving Toward Racial Equity in Schools- Starting with the Adults", 2020)". Circles and trauma: In addition, circle trainer Kay Pranis has said that the circle process intervenes on two consequences of trauma. 1) After trauma, people feel disempowered: They couldn't prevent the trauma. Pranis says that taking turns in seating order in a circle provides a circle participant with a moment of complete power: when the talking piece comes to them, they can do whatever they choose: share a lot or a little of whatever they want or pass. This provides an intervention on the disempowerment of being harmed. 2) Pranis also says that another consequence of trauma is feeling disconnected. This could be disconnection from parts of themselves, from the person or people who did the harm, and/or disconnection in general. Sitting in a circle where people share their own truths can create an 116 experience of connection with the others, whether they have a relationship outside the circle or not. Circles provide an opportunity for truth -telling, for being heard and respected and known. They can be used for reconciliation. They can be used for community -building, healing, resolving conflict, restorative justice, transformative justice and more. 2. Restorative Justice or Transformative Justice are cited as possible processes for reconciliation. In restorative justice, a person or people who have been harmed are brought together with a person or people who caused the harm. RJ provides a process/structure for those harmed to tell what happened, those who caused the harm to hear their experience and tell what happened from their experience, and together they have the opportunity to decide what will 'make things right.' It is worth researching both Restorative Justice and Transformative justice. There are people in the IC community and ICCSD who are experienced in Restorative Justice and knowledgeable about Transformative Justice. The commission could hear from them as an agenda item during their meetings, or have them as speakers in a public event or sponsor training for expanding the group of diverse local people experienced in these processes. 3. Community Cohort- Develop a curriculum for cohorts of community members to engage together about the fact-finding information that the TRC uncovers (disparity in schools, redlining, etc.). The groups could be of mixed identity or same identity. Strategic Doing group Members: Monica Nieves, Chastity Dillard, Tony Branch, Laura Bergus, Annie Tucker, Clif Johnson, Mark Pries, Kim Scott, Wangui Gathua (in initial meeting). Based on the North Star developed by the TRC, this would: • Build capacity: by bringing people together (empower) • Amplify voices (hearing from/about different sectors) • Create foundations: in the cohort • To de -construct the colonial systems (these first three bullet points (arrow) to de -construct the colonial systems) • To HEAL (by bringing people together) MORE INFORMATION ON RECONCILIATION LINKS AND RESOURCES • The concept of reconciliation was included in the glossary that ThinkPeace sent to the commission in August as part of the first training. • In response to your question in October, Manape LaMere suggested the following materials regarding the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission: httos://www.reconciliationeducation.ca/what-are-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-94-calls -to-action 117 Here is a complete list of the 94 calls to action from the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission: htti3s://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-coIumbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/ab original-peoples-documents/calls to action english2.13df Links on Reconciliation provided by ThinkPeace • ThinkPeaceHub.org • Fanie du Toit and Angelina Mendes, "Reconciliation in Practice: Selected Observations about the Assumptions Informing Practices of Reconciliation" Reconciler, no. 1, (April 2022), https://www.thinkpeacehub.org/reconciler. • https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/spirituality-and-community-building/forgivenes s-and-reconciliation/main • https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/wo-content/uploads/2017/05/Truth.Recon .Inwoo d.pdf • https://www.yesmaaazine.org/issue/what-the-rest-of-the-world-knows/2020/11/03/can ada-truth-reconciliation • https://www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2017/08/16/in-truth-and-reconciliation-firs t-things-first-the-truth • https://www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2019/06/19/reparations-truth-and-reconcili ation-united-states • htti3s://www.yesmagazine.org/issue/make-right/2015/07/10/truth-and-reconciliation-at -work-how-these-commissions-help-heal-wounds-from-racial-injustice • https://healourcommunities.org/ • htti3s://vakids.org/our-news/blog/racial-truth-reconciliation-resources-definitions 118 Talking Circle Presenter: Terry Medina, Certified Fatherhood Facilitator, Former Adult Probation Officer, Spiritual Empowerment Coach ug Overview of the Talking Circle The Talking Circle is focused on allowing each participant to sit in a circle and speak about what is on their mind. It is a confidential circle where trust, support and prayer are held at the highest value of the participants in a nonjudgmental environment. We seek to communicate in a culturally relevant way that will empower participants to be proud and confident in themselves as Native people. Target Group The Talking Circle can be for all ages. It is a way of providing traditional healing through coming together as relatives, respecting each other's time and words that are expressed from the heart on various topics. Expected Outcomes of a Talking Circle 1) Provide support through the Talking Circle. 2) Build trust and provide a safe non -judgmental place to voice their feelings and concerns. 3) Provide Spiritual Empowerment Coaching. 4) Educate participants where to go for help and assistance to keep them safe/secure. S) Talking circle is offered to the family of participants to open lines of healthy communication The Talking Circle Requires: A Facilitator— he/she will facilitate the meeting, offer prayers and smudging. Up to 10 participants, more is welcomed with the understanding that everyone gets a chance to talk. The Talking Circle Activity: Facilitator— opens up the circle with welcoming all participants to sit in a circle. • Offers a prayer and smudging. Explain that it is not a coincidence that everyone here is gathered in this circle. The Creator has brought each of us here today. • Discuss the commitments of the talking circle, listening to others speak respectively. • Request that what is said in this circle remains in the circle with respect to each other and what is said and heard. • Offer that Talking Circles can be as a group of both female & males, female only, and male only, and is also used with families, or specific to youth. • Light a candle and let it burn throughout the circle time, representing the light of our Creator. • Start the Talking Circle with asking someone to volunteer to openly share their thoughts and feelings, "tell us how you feel:' "what brought you here today?" 120 • Proceed to pass the Talking Circle object to the person wishing to speak, until all participants have had a chance to talk. This could be an eagle feather, talking stick, stone or other sacred object. • Always end the Talking Circle with a prayer and smudging. It is ok if a participant volunteers to say the closing prayer, Facilitator will assist with smudging the Circle. • Participants leave the Talking Circle in a "good" peaceful way. Request participants to embrace the person next to them with a handshake, pat on back, or a hug. After the Talking Circle, offer a light snack and refreshments. Allow some social time to take place among participants and facilitator. Give an open invitation to return to future listening circles or request a special Talking Circle, female only, male only and/or family. Ask participants to complete a short survey of the Talking Circle. This will allow the activity to improve and continue to serve our participants at their request and need. Talking Circle Survey *Please complete this brief survey on the Talking Circle that you have participated in. This will help us to make necessary improvements and continue to serve you to best of our abilities. Rate your answers: 1—Strongly Agree 2-Agree 3-Underdecided/neutral 4-Disagree 5-Strongly Disagree 1. The Talking Circle was beneficial for me: 12345 2. 1 would recommend the Talking Circle to a friend: 12345 3. 1 had enough time to express my thoughts and feelings: 12345 4. 1 would like to participant in a ALL female or male Talking Circle: 12345 121 S. My family would benefit from a Family Talking Circle: 12345 6. What I liked best and least about the Talking Circle: 122 Concept: Restorative Justice Network Why do we need this? This network of people is from our community/communities. Recognizing that harm happens and we want to address it when it does, however, currently there are no collective/ community -led models that are activated in our area. There needs to be an option for harmed people to connect to people who can listen, hold space, offer options, connect to resources, conduct RJ practices, and follow-up to maintain connection/relationship. Too often, people feel isolated when harm happens and there is no outlet or option for connecting to resources/tools to help work through that harm. This can lead to cycles of trauma that actively silence and divide community members from each other, widening the gap between people and continuing a cycle of violence/silence/fear/isolation. We need alternatives. We have what we need. Each other. What does this look like? One idea is to start with people in our community/ies that are currently trained/willing to host talking circles. Okay, but what does this really look like? Someone calls in- an RJ practitioner answers the call. There is a list of questions to explain how this works and asks what they need- an intake form if you will. Based on the situation, that practitioner will listen and hold space, offer suggestions to: • Meet the needs of the moment (e.g. Are you in a safe place? Do you need food?) with options (e.g. crisis counseling with CommUnity, DVIP support) • And offer Restorative Justice options, (e.g. Are you interested in a mediated conversation with the person you are having conflict with? Do you want me to show up for you at an event with someone who harmed you?). • There will probably be other things we will dream of here, so we'll put a placeholder :) o Post -crisis support/outlets/care - positive, creative, community -building stuff —and bringing people who've experienced the power of these processes into training We can draft a phone tree and put up a website. To create safer spaces, there can be QR codes for follow up surveys, paper copies, whatever is needed to remain in touch and provide feedback and accountability. Multilingual options! Who is involved? Anyone who is interested in learning these skills! We are all we have, and we are powerful. Our community/ies are capable of addressing harm when it happens. We can learn the tools and the skills to continually learn and relearn, committing to ourselves and each other that we are sacred beings, worthy of dignity, joy, and healing. Possible practitioners: • Circle Keepers • Teachers • Mediators • Sound healing 123 Horticulture therapy Strategic Doers Other kinds of professionals/skills: • Visual artists • Theater folx • Poets • Organizers • Cooks • Gardeners • Makers 124 125 LATE HANDOUTS - THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WERE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING Redmond Jones From: Foland, Isabelle J <isabelle-foland@uiowa.edu> Sent: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 10:16 AM To: Redmond Jones Cc: Geoff Fruin Subject: Re: [External] RE: Story Inquiry: TRC Budget A ** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening any links or attachments. ** Hi Redmond, This is very helpful, thank you! Best, Isabelle From: Redmond Jones <RJones@iowa-city.org> Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 8:24 PM To: Foland, Isabelle 1 <isabelle-foland@uiowa.edu> Cc: Geoff Fruin <GFruin@iowa-city.org> Subject: [External] RE: Story Inquiry: TRC Budget Dear Ms. Foland; Thank you for reaching out regarding the budget of the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). We appreciate your interest in this important topic and welcome the opportunity to provide clarifications and general information on the commission's spending. The Iowa City TRC operates like most city commissions without a budget. However, the TRC has the unique task of assisting with the oversight of several facilitation contracts with the City. These contracts are with several vendors: Astig Planning LLC Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa Kearns & West Mary Hoch Foundation (DBA Think Peace). Collectively these contracts were approved by the City Council at an amount not -to -exceed $400,000. These contracts were funded from the Black Lives Matter Fund of $1 million. The Black Lives Matter Fund was established to provide financial support to organizations, projects, and initiatives that advance racial equity, social justice, and community empowerment, particularly within communities of color. As mentioned in our conversation the city is still working to close out these contracts to date the following has been spent. AstigPlanning LLC......................................................................4......... $ 80,052.29 Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa..............................4................... $ 21,586.18 Kearns & West.........................................................................4.4.......... $104,053.76 Mary Hoch Foundation (DBA Think Peace) ................ 4..................... $ 91,574.71 As a part of the responsibility of the TRC to assist with the oversite of the facilitation contracts (both phase 1 and phase 2), the TRC was funded $10,000 per phase of the project for incidentals related to the marketing, execution, and related activities of the truth -telling process. These items are listed below: 9/20/2023 300 Rental Dream City 9/20/2023 722.99 Swag Tru Art 9/21/2023 90 Meal 9/21/2023 182.1 Meal 10/21/2023 478.28 Food 10/21/2023 433.15 Supplies Amazon 12/5/2023 300 Food Royceann's Soul Food 11/21/2023 325 Food Early Bird Cafe 11/21/2023 285 Food Masala Indian Cuisine 1/4/2024 190.9 Swag Tru Art 1/4/2024 236.73 Swag Tru Art 2/6/2024 500 Rental Wright House of Fashion 2/7/2024 1000 Rental Wright House of Fashion 2/14/2024 362.86 Swag Tru Art Outside 2/20/2024 134.74 Printing Technigraphics 2/21/2024 528.57 Food Estelas 2/21/2024 349.88 Food Estelas 2/21/2024 375.48 Food 3/11/2024 1000 Rental Wright House of Fashion 3/19/2024 841.8 Food Oasis Falafel Outside 3/21/2024 380 Printing Technigraphics Outside 3/21/2024 66.22 Printing Technigraphics Outside 3/21/2024 65.43 Printing Technigraphics 3/25/2024 5000 Videographer Cocoa Creative 3/29/2024 1000 Rental ICOR 3/29/2024 631.44 Food 4/29/2024 4500 Videographer Cocoa Creative For a total of $ 20,280.57 (slightly over budget by $280.57) I hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you have any further inquiries. Again thank you for your interest in this matter. CITY OF IOVVA CITY UNESCO CITY OF LIA'ERATURE Redmond Jones II Deputy City Manager P: 319-356-5012 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 2