HomeMy WebLinkAbout4 22 2025 HRC AgendaHuman Rights Commission
April 22, 2025
Regular Meeting – 5:30 PM
Emma Harvet Hall, City Hall
Agenda:
1. Call the Meeting to Order and Roll Call.
2. Reading of the Native American Land Acknowledgement.
3. Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda.
Commentators shall address the commission for no more than five minutes.
Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with the public concerning said
items.
4. Approval of the April 1, 2025, meeting minutes.
5. Update on Outreach and Engagement by the Police Department.
6. Correspondence.
7. Know Your Rights Event.
8. Discuss and vote on issuing a statement regarding the removal of gender
identity as a protected characteristic under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
9. Human Rights Grant Updates.
• Reports from FY24.
• Conflicts
• Select date to review and make recommendation on grants.
10. Reports of Commissioners and Staff.
This item includes an opportunity for very brief updates from staff and
commissioners. Commissioners cannot engage in discussion on any reports.
11. Next Regular Meeting: May 27, 2025
12. Adjournment
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 this meeting, please contact the Office
of Human Rights at 319-356-5022 or email humanrights@iowa-
city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet
your access needs.
"Agenda Item #2
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 oflowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as
members of the public, for their input.
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Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
April 1, 2025
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Commissioners present: Doug Kollasch, Emily Harkin, Elizabeth Mendez Shannon, Mark Pries, Kelsey Paul
Shantz, Viana Qadoura.
Commissioners on Zoom: Lubna Mohamed.
Commissioners absent: Roger Lusala, Idriss Abdullahi.
Staff present: Tre Hall, Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to City Council: No.
Meeting called to order: 5:32 PM.
Native American Land Acknowledgement: Kollash read the Land Acknowledgement.
Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: None.
Approval of meeting minutes of February 25, 2025: Pries moved, and Mendez Shannon seconded. Motion
passed 7-0.
Updates on Outreach and Engagement by the Police Department: Community Outreach Assistant, Tre Hall
reported that the police department’s presentation on domestic violence was canceled due to an illness
and has not yet been rescheduled. Hall also spoke on Jess Lang’s work with increasing the spots available
for safety village and EMS training with hopes to increase involvement. It was also mentioned that a
Community Police Academy will take place with the Coralville Police Department and will be held on
Mondays throughout the month of September. The outreach group will be increasing their outreach to the
unhoused community as the spring and summer months come around. They will also be hosting a booth for
national crime victim rights at the public library at 10 AM on April 12th. Hall concluded with an update that
the group is preparing for the upcoming Pride parade in June.
Mendez Shannon spoke to Trey Hall about meeting with Joshua Dabusu and their conversation on doing a
panel on Knowing Your Rights. Pries shared his church has been distributing red cards. Mendez Shannon
clarified the red cards share policies or procedures you can use if you have an encounter with ICE.
Correspondence: The Commission received correspondence about a community reading of Martin Luther
King’s Beyond Vietnam Friday, April 4th at the Robert A Lee Recreation Center.
Know Your Rights Event: Mendez Shannon updated the commission that she met with the Englert Theatre. It
was discovered that they are interested in supporting an event that supports the community. Mendez Shannon
shared that they are not sure of the scope of the event. For example, Escucha Mi Voz shared they have a need
to share more information about rights through a speaker. Mendez Shannon shared ideas to support these
groups. One idea was to create a collation so there are more voices at the table. Mendez Shannon requested
Agenda Item # 4
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permission from the commission. Paul-Shantz spoke up with support in the matter. Pries agreed. Mendez
Shannon said she would keep the commission updated on future events and progress.
Paul-Shantz spoke about trans rights being revoked by the state of Iowa. Paul-Shantz suggested drafting a
statement that addresses the issue and to add this to a future agenda. Pries asked if this statement would have
something to work from which Paul-Shantz assured there is an existing draft of a statement. The commission
discussed a date for a special meeting to finalize the statement. It was suggested to have the special meeting in
the next seven days, with virtual attendance as an option. It was agreed that the special meeting would take
place on Monday, April 7th at 10:00 AM.
Second Quarter Project: Kollasch brought up the idea that as the commission moves away from working in
committees it could be replaced with a community event. Paul-Shantz shared the idea of community circles
and developing community conversations. Paul-Shantz shared it would be a good way to connect different
areas and resources within the Iowa City community. Issues mentioned were food, housing, conflict resolution,
supporting youth, community building, non-violent community action, and mental health. Qadoura agreed this
would be a positive way to openly discuss with different groups on what is causing fear, what to look forward
to, different resources, and what to do in certain instances. Pries was in support of the idea. Qadoura asked if it
would be an open invitation to everyone or how it would look. Paul-Shantz expressed that she would prefer to
hold off on deciding how it would work until they are able to get some more information and share ideas.
Elections: It was agreed to defer elections to take place during a later meeting due to the absence of two
commission members (Abdullahi and Lusala).
Human Rights Grant: Qadoura and Mendez Shannon discussed their work visiting with current grant
recipients. Qadoura spoke of her experience with Houses into Homes where she took the Mariam Girl’s
Club to help and learn about the organization. Qadoura was happy to see the organization works with
individuals in their program on a personal basis considering ethnic backgrounds, language barriers, and
more. Mendez Shannon also shared her experience with the group and her takeaway was the passion
behind the work they do at Houses into Homes. Mendez Shannon shared during this outreach they were
able to connect the Welcome Center with Houses into Homes for language assistance. Mendez Shannon
also reported it was requested that the commission help promote Houses into Homes on social media. The
group also asked about applying for future grants as a previous recipient. Mendez Shannon shared she was
pleased with the personal approach the Iowa City Food Pantry takes to meet the diverse needs of those
who use their services. Paul-Shantz shared she was happy to see the Indigenous Art Alliance was
continuing to work through political shifts in our area.
Kollasch asked Staff for updates on the current cycle of Human Rights Grant applicants. Staff reported
application must be in by 11:59 PM on April 1st. Staff also shared that commissioners should look out for an
email containing access information pertaining to the grant submissions. Staff stated that a list of applicants
would be shared with commissioners to ensure there are no conflicts of interest when it comes time to
review applications. Qadoura requested to have a printed copy of each application for ease of review. Staff
also discussed the turn around for the grant applications. The commission’s next meeting will take place on
April 22nd. As the application window closes and the commission is able to review those submitted, they will
have a better idea on dates. Pries asked staff if applicants are receiving grants from the City or other
organizations are they still eligible for the grant. Staff referred to a memo in the packet addressing the
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matter. It was read that City Council requires staff to provide additional information to boards and
commissions that award funding about which organization have received funding as a way to give
opportunity to additional organizations.
Staff & Commission Updates: Staff requested the commission send a budget proposal for events or
expenses that pertain to the second quarter project and the Know Your Rights event. Staff also shared that
depending on commission preference their usual meeting room can be changed from Harvat Hall to the
Helling Conference Room.
Qadoura inquired from staff on the Neighborhoods Centers of Johnson County Gala requesting two tickets
for herself and commissioner Mendez Shannon.
Pries announced his congregation wrote a grant for Dream City to help them get furniture. He also went to
the Bike Library and saw their organization and wrote them a grant through his congregation as well. Pries
met with Sikowis Nobiss about Great Plains Action Center and spoke on their recent purchase of land on
Maiden Drive to build a facility for their organization. Pries met with the director of the North Liberty Food
Pantry and discussed their struggles with losing support from FEMA.
Kollasch shared the impact that current legislation has had on friends and family. Kollasch also wanted to
raise awareness that the Iowa senate has passed, and sent to the House, Bill 507 which prohibits any city or
county from having diversity, equity, and inclusion offices.
Qadoura reassured that all is hopeful, and we have to keep going and voicing for the voiceless. Qadoura
shared she has been busy hosting the Ramadan dinner, Iftar, for ICCSD students. She also shared she is
grateful for the support from the Superintendent and the Board of Education who have now attended the
dinners, along with commissioner Pries. Qadoura shared the dinner is about being a community and
breaking bread together and being proud of who you are. Qadoura also shared her experience hosting Hijab
Day sharing it was successful. As a board member of the Coralville Food Pantry Qadoura is involved in the
Community Meal at the Coralville Library being held this Friday, April 4th and encouraged commissioners to
attend. The final event Qadoura shared is a conference called Palestine Hope for Change taking place on
April 26th from 8am to 5pm. The conference will acknowledge the suffering of Palestinians and the ongoing
genocide.
Harkin shared March 31st was Trans Day of Visibility and the importance of trans lives. Harkin also touched
on April being National Fair Housing Month and the importance of a right to fair housing. She also pointed
out she appreciated a sentiment from the meeting “What others may need, others may have.” Harkin also
attended the Night of 1,000 Dinners and shared that the event was enjoyable to attend.
Paul-Shantz mentioned she was in Nairobi for a workshop with Peace in Our Cities Network. Topics at the
workshop included data in technology and how you can track reports to use data to improve issues reported
on. The trip also involved going into informal settlements of Nairobi and speaking with those working with
youth to improve conditions and work with community members. Paul-Shantz also wanted to take time to
recognize other areas around the world have fought harmful regimes and she takes inspiration from that.
Pries asked Paul-Shantz to speak on compassion fatigue. She spoke on the idea that the fatigue is the point
and part of the attack on everyone and by recognizing that you can use it to fuel your passion for change.
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Mendez Shannon wanted to reiterate that those herself and commissioner Qadoura visited with wanted to
be seen on social media and that the groups are excited about the work they are doing. She also spoke about
the state of the world impacting the community and the commission’s work. Mendez Shannon shared her
work on a paper that addresses the experiences of undocumented individuals. Through this paper she
learned about resilience and that what you go through is preparing you for something else. She was also
reminded of the strength she sees in Iowa City and the impact the commission makes on the community.
Adjourned: 6:34PM.
The meeting can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@citychannel4/videos.
Human Rights Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
YEAR 2024/2025
(Meeting Date)
NAME
TERM
EXP.
1/23 2/27 3/4 3/26 4/23 5/28 7/23 8/27 9/24 11/26 12/12 1/28 2/25 4/1 4/22 5/27
Jahnavi Pandya 2024 X X X X X X X X A A - - - -
Emily Harkin 2027 - - - - - - - - - P - P P X
Doug Kollasch 2027 X X X X X X Z X X P - P P X
Viana Qadoura 2025 X X X X X X X X X P - A A X
Idriss Abdullahi 2025 - - - - X Z X Z A P - P A A
Mark Pries 2025 X A X X X X X X X P - A P X
Roger Lusala 2026 X X X A X X X X X P - P P A
Kelsey Paul Shantz 2026 X X X X Z X X A X P - P A X
Liz Mendez-Shannon 2026 X X X A Z X X A X A - P P X
Lubna Mohamed 2027 - - - - - - - - - - - Z A Z
KEY: X = Present
A = Absent
Z = Present via Zoom
DRAFT
On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the state of Iowa took a giant leap onto the wrong side of
history by becoming the first state in the nation to remove a protected class from the state
civil rights code. At a time when discrimination and violence against our transgender
neighbors is on the rise, Republican lawmakers in Des Moines made it their priority to
enable further discrimination against a small, marginalized, and vulnerable group of our
fellow Iowans. Rather than proposing solutions to more pressing problems and trying to
improve the lives of all Iowans, Steve Holt, Pat Grassley, and the rest of Iowa Republican
legislators focused all of their time and energy in pushing this hateful legislation through in
just one week.
Human rights should be a non-partisan issue. The founding principle of our nation is that
all are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights. The bill passed on
Thursday goes so far to erroneously claim that “separate is not inherently unequal.” We
know this is erroneous because it is the same logic used in the infamous 1898 US
Supreme Court decision Plessy v. Ferguson, which perhaps became the most recognized
mistake in the history of US jurisprudence when it was resolutely refuted by the landmark
Brown v Board of Education. That is correct; Iowa Republicans in 2025 used the same
debunked and illegal logic from over a century ago to enshrine bigotry and discrimination
into our state code. At the beginning of last century, separate but equal remained the
accepted standard for 56 years, providing justification for Jim Crow laws, racial
segregation, and a host of despicable laws that led to one of the more turbulent and dark
periods of American history. Let us not make the same mistake again. We will not wait an
entire lifetime to refute what we know to be patently wrong. Separate but equal is
unconstitutional and un-American.
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission condemns this legislation in the strongest
manner possible. Removing equal rights from any group of people is antithetical to the
American ideal and way of life. We are ashamed that this is the direction our legislature is
moving our state. To our transgender neighbors, friends, and family: we see you, we accept
you, and we support you. We remain committed to ensuring that Iowa City remains a
community that is open and welcoming to all. In Iowa City, be assured that our liberties we
prize and our rights we will maintain.
Agenda Item #8
Grant update reports for FY24
Grant Submissions for FY25
Bike Library
BIPOC Healing Collective
Community Inclusion Club
Escucha Mi Voz Iowa
The Dream Center dba Dream City
Great Plains Action Society
Greater Iowa City, Inc.
Homes 4 My Peeps
Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County
Mogul Consulting
Our Kids DBA Open Heartland
Restorative Community Works
Wright House of Fashion
Late Handout
Statement by the Iowa City Human Rights Commission
regarding the removal of gender identity
as a protected characteristic under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the state of Iowa took a giant leap onto the wrong side of
history by becoming the first state in the nation to remove gender identity, a protected class, from
the state civil rights code. At a time when discrimination and violence against our transgender
neighbors is on the rise, Republican lawmakers in Des Moines made it their priority to enable
further discrimination against a small, marginalized, and vulnerable group of our fellow Iowans.
Rather than proposing solutions to more pressing problems and trying to improve the lives of all
Iowans, Steve Holt, Pat Grassley, and the rest of Iowa Republican legislators focused all of their
time and energy in pushing this hateful legislation through in just one week.
Human rights is a non-partisan issue. The founding principle of our nation is all are created equal
and are endowed with certain unalienable rights. The bill passed on February 27 goes so far to
erroneously claim “separate is not inherently unequal.” We know this is erroneous because it is
the same logic used in the infamous 1898 US Supreme Court decision Plessy v. Ferguson, which
perhaps became the most recognized mistake in the history of US jurisprudence when it was
resolutely refuted by the landmark Brown v Board of Education. Iowa Republicans in 2025 used
the same debunked and illegal logic from over a century ago to enshrine bigotry and
discrimination into the Iowa state code. At the beginning of last century, separate but equal
remained the accepted standard for 56 years, providing justification for Jim Crow laws, racial
segregation, and a host of despicable laws leading to one of the more turbulent and dark periods
of American history. Let us not make the same mistake again. We will not wait an entire lifetime
to refute what we know to be patently wrong. Separate but equal is unconstitutional and un-
American.
The Iowa City Human Rights Commission condemns this legislation in the strongest manner
possible. Removing equal rights from any group of people is antithetical to the American ideal
and way of life. We are ashamed this is the direction the Iowa legislature is moving our state. To
our transgender neighbors, friends, and family: we see you, we accept you, and we support you.
We remain committed to ensuring Iowa City remains a community open and welcoming to all. In
Iowa City, be assured our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.
We call on our Iowa legislators to correct this grievous mistake and rescind this legislation and in
doing so restoring Human Rights for every Iowan. Draft