HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-2025 Human Rights CommissionHuman Rights Commission
Monday, December 1, 2025
Emma J. Harvat Hall at 5:30PM
410 E. Washington Street (City Hall)
Agenda
1. Call to Order.
2. Reading of the Native American Land Acknowledgment.
3. Report from the Police Department's Community Outreach.
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes - October 28, 2025.
5. Public Comment - Items Not on the Agenda.
Commentators shall address the Commission for no more than five (5) minutes.
Commissioners shall not engage in discussion regarding these items.
6. Correspondence.
7. Review and decide whether to add the Commission's name to a Human Rights
Day op-ed.
8. Planning and updates for the International Day of Human Rights Event
(December 10).
9. Commission Work Groups:
o Transportation
o Access / Quality of Life
o Immigration (Lusala, Mendez -Shannon, Qadoura)
o Ordinance Revisions (Miller)
o Community Outreach (Paul Shantz, Miller, Kollasch)
o Housing (Paul Shantz, Harkin, Pries, Mohamed)
10. Grant Network Update.
11. Explore Professional Development Opportunities.
12. Staff & Commission Member Updates.
No discussion on updates.
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13. Adjournment.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend. If you are a person with a disability
who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this meeting, please
contact the organizer in advance at humanrights@iowa-city.org or by calling 319-356-
5022.
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Native American land Acknowledgement
Prepared for the City of Iowa City's Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Human
Rights Commission
PURPOSE
Iowa City owes its existence to the many Indigenous Peoples who were the original stewards of this land
and who were subjected to manipulation and violence by non-native settlers, invaders, and governments
in order to make this moment possible. Acknowledgement of this truth is central to our work toward
reconciliation across all barriers of difference and injustice. Starting with a Native American Land
Acknowledgement, this Commission will bear witness to the legacies of violent displacement, migration,
and settlement that have marginalized those who were the first inhabitants of this land. We must also
address the mistreatment and exclusion that Native Americans continue to face today. The Ad Hoc Truth
and Reconciliation Commission and the Human Rights Commission encourage the community and City of
Iowa City to join us in these efforts through the use of a Native American Land Acknowledgement.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
To be read at all public meetings and events:
"We meet today in the community of Iowa City, which now occupies the homelands of
Native American Nations to whom we owe our commitment and dedication. The area of
Iowa City was within the homelands of the Iowa, Meskwaki, and Sauk, and because
history is complex and time goes far back beyond memory, we also acknowledge the
ancient connections of many other Indigenous Peoples here. The history of broken
treaties and forced removal that dispossessed Indigenous Peoples of their homelands
was and is an act of colonization and genocide that we can not erase. We implore the
Iowa City community to commit to understanding and addressing these injustices as we
work toward equity, restoration, and reparations."
LEARN MORE
Native Governance Center Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
US Department of Arts and Culture: Honor Native Land Virtual Resources and Guide
Meskwaki Nation - History
Special thanks to the University of Iowa Native American Council for their work and guidance, as well as
members of the public, for their input.
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
October 28, 2025
Emma J. Harvat Hall
Commissioners Present: Doug Kollasch, Elizabeth Mendez -Shannon, Kelsey Paul Shantz, Mark Pries,
Viana Qadoura.
Commissioners on Zoom: Tayla Miller, Lubna Mohamed.
Commissioners Absent: Emily Harkin, Roger Lusala.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers, Tre Hall.
Meeting Called to Order: 5:32 PM.
Recommendations to City Council: Yes, to pass a resolution for Fourth Amendment Workplace
Protections.
Native American Land Acknowledgement: The Land Acknowledgement was read by Paul Shantz.
Report from the Police Department's Community Outreach: Tre Hall, Community Outreach Assistant
Went over past events.
'Brew with the Crew' took place at the beginning of the month at the Willow Creek Park. The event
had great turnout, Hall hopes the event continues to grow. 'Brew with the Crew' is advertised on
Facebook, news releases and the radio.
Hall and Joshua Dabusu, Community Outreach Assistant tabled the African Fest. Hall and Dabusu also
met the new street outreach, Eben Senft from Shelter House. Hall exclaims Senft is an excellent
resource.
The team did a squad tour at a preschool off Court and 1st
Hall met with Community Violence Intervention, and they are working on a project with more
information coming. Hall shares he has high hopes for this project.
The Salvation Army teamed up for a Trunk or Treat October 23rd at the Pizza Ranch. 150 to 200 kids
and their families walked through the event.
Winter clothing drive was 3-4 full days of people attending from throughout Johnson County.
Holiday with Heroes is coming up in December. Previous name was 'Shop with the Cop' and changed
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due to potential legality issue.
Impromptu community outreach took place on the Pentacrest on October 29' handing out candy,
koozies and stress balls.
Qadoura asks if there are any resources that would be great to know about due to SNAP and food
security issues. Hall responds that Community Crisis is a resource with more information or great
resource to direct questions to. The Senior Center on Mondays has food drives. These options will be
more utilized as the SNAP deadline hits.
Paul Shantz brings concern to the cold weather months and lack of benefits and if there are any
resources for residents. Hall brings attention to the rules and regulations put in place by City of Iowa
City that landlords must provide heat and water. If you are having issues, call the Iowa City Housing
Inspector.
Presentation by Escucha Mi Voz:
Frist Speaker, Heidi Pu-Osorio shared her experience of immigrating that is why we organize, because in
the United States, we have the power to change our present and our future. To instill this belief Pu-
Osorio demands the Fourth Amendment to be enforced to protect immigrant workers from harassment,
detainment and their right to due process. The law must protect all of us, equally, because justice knows
no immigration status.
Second Speaker, Wendy Castanun shared her experience of immigrating in search of a safe life, due to
violence becoming part of everyday life and poverty had closed the doors to a better future. Leaving
everything behind with hope of work and education but with dreams and dignity. We came because we
deeply believe that all human beings deserve to live in peace, with justice and respect, regardless of our
race, language, skin color or religion because dignity has no borders. Castanun shares the hope we all
have for a better life and why it is essential to organize to defend our rights, resist the unjust policies of
this administration and raise voices against discrimination and abuse. Organizing is not just an act of
defense, it's and act of hope and collective power. Castanun states it is necessary to fully implement the
Fourth Amendment, so immigrants have protection and safety at work. No person should be harassed,
detained or violated without cause of due process. The law must protect us all equally.
Third Speaker, Elida Contreras brings attention to the working families in Johnson County who sustain
our economy and are facing an increasingly severe crisis, both at home and work. Many our essential in
sectors such as construction, childcare, cleaning, hospitality and food services. Many are being harassed
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by ICE at their workplace and forced to live in overcrowded condition and denied access to resources. To
intervene, Contreras stresses the obligation of local governments should be obligated to do so and asks
the Human Rights Commission to help pass the resolution of Workplace Due Process and Safety
Resolution, which reaffirms 4th Amendment protections for all workers. We don't want more cases like
Jorge's to happen.
Pries moves to advance to City council; seconded by Paul Shantz.
Pries would like to learn more about non-public workplaces or spaces. Escucha Mi Voz explains there are
private place or non-public places in public workplace. A room just for workers, not the public. Pries asks
for a description of designating a locked private area. Escucha Mi Voz uses an example of a kitchen is
usually open and if workers can lock themselves in, ICE cannot storm in.
Mendez -Shannon mentions in addition to the resolution, Escucha Mi Voz will be available to train local
officials and then have an open invite to businesses in town, workers, owners and legal observers.
Paul Shantz points out the community support section and to put resources behind it to highlight the
importance whether that be joint entities or individual city councils. Escucha Mi Voz idea is not to just
implement this resolution in Iowa City but other cities that belong to Johnson County because so many
immigrants live and work here.
Pries would like to see lots of signage on buildings. Escucha Mi Voz would make them. Pries explains that
the signage, the Commission could encourage churches to buy them and put them up.
Workers need to be safe and right now ICE is storming in and grabbing people with no warrants. Many
know there's their private place at work, like Jorge but was revealed to ICE by the business owner. The
language is to educated business owners and workers about the rights they have.
Kollasch asks if there are any other incidents that are not as publicized as Jorge's. Escucha Mi Voz
responds not as big as Jorge's since the incident was in the core of Iowa City but there are check -ins with
people. Many incidents are not learned until after and the family is reaching out. The construction
workers that go to Menards are kidnapped.
Pries states that the Bread Garden event with Jorge was intended to instill fear among us by ICE and it
certainly did that but still a big crowd protested.
Paul Shantz brings awareness to how awful and threatening this is to the community, even if they do not
see themselves concerned or at risk, the use of state force in this way and using ICE resources is a threat
to all of us and how important Escucha Mi Voz is.
Kollasch states that Escucha Mi Voz has the Commission's help and support.
Qadoura highlights people and their organizations courage and bravery right now facing federal and
state laws and how important they are as a starting point but also as a moment in history that we will
not be silenced and giving possibilities to ourselves and community. 1 hope no one gets daunted or shys
away from seeking justice, even if things do not pass as we expect them to.
Paul Shauntz asks how community can support beyond the initial presentation. Escucha Mi Voz
attending join entity meetings and receiving donations to move forward.
Motion passed 7-0.
Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 23, 2025, and October 1, 2025: Priest moved; seconded
Paul Shantz. Motion passed 7-0.
Public Comments of Items Not on the Agenda: None.
Correspondence:
- Veterans for Peace: November 1P
- One Community, One Book: November 10'n
- Community Connections Day: November 18'h — Staff tabling 9-2
Review November Meeting Date:
Original date: Tuesday, November 25'n
Rescheduled: Monday, December 1s' at 5:30pm
Consider Hosting a December Mixer:
Kollasch highlights having meet and greet events like this in the past. Staff mentions past events
called 'Coffee and Cocoa'. Qadoura mentions a weekday may draw less crowds since people are
usually rushing through their business hours and things, therefore afternoon, early evening or
weekend.
Pries mentions this could be a 'magnet group' depending on how event is promoted.
Kollasch pitches a Sunday Afternoon, December 7th. Call the event 'Cocoa and Carols' and maybe
have a church group sing, the Commission can sing or record music.
Miller suggests 'Cocoa and Cards' and attendees could make holiday cards.
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Kollasch recommends doing a Doodle Poll via email.
Staff clarifies date for December 7t". Chair agrees, Kollasch states somewhere in that first two weeks
of December.
Mendez -Shannon asks for schedule clarification and how that works with the Commission bringing
the resolution to City Council. Staff clarifies that it is a recommendation, and any next steps would be
within their purview of the City Council, this does not guarantee a seat at the table. Kollasch confirms
Commission will reach out to city council members and encourage them to put the resolution on
their agenda.
Commission Work Groups:
Transportation — Staff will reach out to Jeremy.
Ordinance Revisions— Miller started compiling information on the person of size ordinance within the
human rights ordinance in Minneapolis. No meetings yet.
Immigration — Mendez -Shannon officially agrees to be apart of working group and highlights Escucha Mi
Voz as the champion voice of what's happening. Escucha Mi Voz has a work session open to everyone in
the community for SNAP information. Possibly consider a partner workshop with the police on
immigrant rights. Qadoura joined the Immigration working group and would like to bring an idea to the
Commission that expands the outlines of the group next meeting.
Community Outreach — Paul Shantz, Kollasch and Miller met briefly after the last Commission meeting.
Planning to have the first of the dialogue series out before the end of this year, depending on personal
schedule and/or illnesses.
Housing — Paul Shantz is supporting Harkin in this group, and they have not met yet. Mohamed chooses
to be in the housing working group too. Paul Shantz clarifies each working group can determine what
they can do and what to do based on needs and issues identified in the community. Paul Shantz
suggests the next step for them is meeting with Harkin to align on updates. Paul Shantz will step off
from supporting if needed. Pries also joined the group.
Grant Net Update: November 12t" I Meeting #2
Mendez -Shannon shares this second meeting they will dive deeper into assessing the landscape of each
program and what is happening on the ground, and how we con help each other.
Professional Development for Commission and Community Members:
Kollasch brings attention to the community members and the training within the immigration
conversation and how the Commission can get more involved in that space.
Mendez -Shannon shares there was already a training marketed towards the workers and through that,
the realization that all business leaders should be invited from the response of business leaders making
and placing 'No ICE' signs in their windows. The Resolution navigates that knowledge is power and
knowing your rights and that owners and workers have rights to their spaces and navigate those rights.
Paul Shantz wonders if there is any additional 'Know Your Rights' training for private business and/or
members of the community to collaborate with Escucha Mi Voz and if the organization is already
thinking along those lines, there are couple of names within the business community Paul Shants can
suggest.
Kollasch adds an idea of help from non -immigrants within the community and what they can do to help
and what are their rights if they see something happening.
Mendez -Shannon asks about a business network in town. Pries mentioned the Chamber of Commerce
had merged and is now, Greater Iowa City, contacts mentioned are President / CEO Nancy Bird and Vice -
President of Programs and Executive Director of Better Together 2030, Cady Gerlach.
Paul Shantz highlights an opportunity for interpersonal conflict training for individuals and groups that
they are working in the community outreach / dialogue working group and will continue to look into an
option for the community, but there are facilitated training that help people and/or individuals
moderate conversations or to be self -aware of there own interactions and to reach peaceful resolutions
for oneself and/or community.
Staff & Commission Updates:
Staff —Thanks everyone for the great turnout of the 41s' Human Rights Awards breakfast and everyone had
their part to make it successful.
Kollasch — Behalf of the commission returns thanks to staff. The No Kings organization will be doing a food
drive in response to the SNAP benefit deadline in November. Kollasch feels heartbroken and infuriated with
the potential deadline and how this will affect the community going into the colder temperatures and holiday
season and how the Commission can respond. Encourages ideas and discussion from Commission.
Paul Shantz — Announces public virtual launch of edited volume, Identity -Based Mass Violence in Urban
Contexts, on November 12'" at 11am and offers to share link. Paul Shantz has been working on the
volume for the last 5 years of uncovering everyday violence and its connection with mass violence and
the systemic levels of violence against some people in communities that are ignored, overlooked, and ,
not addressed and how that is large-scale and widespread mass violence. This volume has academic
contributors and those who have lived experience with violence. Paul Shantz will be in the United
Kingdom attending Tate Modern, King's College London, University College London, House of Lords in
Parliament, University of Oxford and Bristol to launch English version of the volume and they will be
releasing a Spanish version of the volume in a Spanish-speaking country. This is a culmination of one
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thing to start another of possible solutions of connection within cities and communities addressing the
experience of violence and create more peaceful communities at the same time.
Pries — Attends the Interfaith Alliance intersection every first Friday of the month. At this month's
meeting, there was a presentation of pronatalism and its racist persistence of a need for white babies.
He also attended the webinar for the book, No Place for Us, and exclaims it is one of the saddest books
he ever read. Pries also went to the movie, Good Fortune. Pries attend the No Kings march, about 1,000-
1,500 at the Pentacrest. Pries brings recognition to the arts and its ability to dive deeper such as the
movies, Eleanor the Great about the Holocaust and Kiss of the Spider Woman is about the Dirty War in
Argentina and encourages Commission members to experience the arts. On November 10th, Pries will
attend the conversation with Author Carolyn Chambers and Dr. Jean Jew to talk about the sexual and
racial harassment that happened at the University.
Miller— Organizing events to bring awareness to disability and body size in the community and will have
more updates at the next meeting. Reading the book, Care Work - Dreaming Disability Justice, and how
to build community support from a disabled activist and writer. The book talks about how disabled
communities know how to build communities due to the response for survival and keeping community
going.
Mohamed — no updates.
Qadoura — Would like to share about people in Gaza, Qadoura's home. People in Gaza never learn to
heal, and they will never heal as they should, but they learn to endure. Qadoura states this has been
ongoing for 70 years and what is being faced is beyond comprehension. Palestinians, Darfur, Sudan and
the City AI-Fasher are suffering. Rapid Support forces have killed more than 2,000 civilians in the past 2
days. Lynching, sniping, killing and if not killed, starved to death. The Sudanese community Qadoura
works with, saves their money to send back home and this effects our local community. We need to
acknowledge this pain within in our community and assist/support somehow as difficulties arise with ICE
agents, immigration policies and SNAP benefits. It is a sad reality to witness, feeling helpless, but we
must care. Closes by asking for prayers and to keep these thoughts when working with the Sudanese
community.
Mendez -Shannon —Acknowledge the need for us to support each other In establishing care in your realm
of influence and impact in your community. Understanding ICE and their impact is emotional work and
being able to show up and be helpful by doing what we can do and be a support.
Pries moves to adjourn. Seconded by Mendez -Shannon.
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Adjourned: 6:48 PM.
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.
5/28
7/23
8/27
9/24
11/26
12/12
1/28
2/25
4/1
4/22
5113
5/27
6/24
8/26
9/23
10/1
Lubma Mohamed
2027
-
-
-
-
-
-
Z
A
Z
Z
A
A
A
Z
A
Z
Doug Kollasch
2027
P
Z
P
X
P
-
P
P
X
P
Z
P
P
P
P
Z
Viana Qadoura
2025
P
P
P
X
P
-
A
A
X
P
P
P
P
P
P
A
Idriss Abdullahi
2025
Z
P
Z
A
P
-
P
A
A
Z
-
R
R
R
R
Z
Mark Pries
2025
P
P
A
X
P
-
A
P
X
P
P
P
P
P
P
Z
Roger Lusala
2026
P
P
P
X
P
-
P
P
A
A
P
P
A
P
Z
Kelsey Paul Shantz
2026
P
P
A
X
P
-
P
A
X
P
P
P
Z
P
P
Z
Liz Mendez -Shannon
2026
P
P
A
X
A
-
P
P
X
A
A
P
P
P
A
Z
Talya Miller
2025
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
A
P
Z
KEY: P=Present
A = Absent
Z = Present via Zoom
Correspondence
10
Orm/ -1 ,
December 5 S 69 2025
Saint Mark's UMC
2675 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa
December S. 2025
Professional Presentation
10:30AM-12:30PM
Zoom Meeting ID: 496 4119409
Pass Code 1953
December 6, 2025
Open Speaker Meeting
7:OOPM
Keith T., Oklahoma
Zoom Meeting ID: 496 4119409
Pass Code 1953
From: Karen Kubbv
To: Karen Kubbv
Subject: Invite to Inclusive Economic Development meetings
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 3:25:33 PM
r
iC
IR�$l+i
xx This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening
any links or attachments. xx
This message is from an external sender.
Friends,
We have three dates we would love to have you add to your calendars to talk about gaps
in funding and resources needed to increase the number of businesses owned by
members of underestimated communities in our area. Please forward this invitation and
the RSVP link below to people your organization serves. The more voices included in
these early conversations, the more inclusive the results will be.
The dates are all Tuesdays, Dec. 2, 9, & 16, from 5:30-7:30pm at Dream City, located at
611 Southgate Ave. in Iowa City. Each meeting will be facilitated by Laura Gray, from
Restorative Community Partners. Funding for these meetings is possible from a grant
from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission.
The first evening will focus on small group work to outline gaps the community could
help fill. The second evening is for a smaller group who will summarize the comments.
The third evening is to see if the summaries are missing any points, to talk about next
steps, and to find common language to use in talking about underestimated
communities.
Childcare and snacks will be provided. Let us knowyou are coming with an RSVP by
filling out this very short questionnaire.
If we are successful in creating a sustainable fund for inclusive economic development,
only those attending the Dec. 2 & 16 dates will be eligible to apply for the first few rounds
of funding. RSVP now!!
Lookingforward to seeingyou there.
Karen Kubby
Beadology Iowa
319 338-1566
.D ii J L L
�riE� t
l*Pourb
For people under 30
Wednesday Nov 3L9th
Wednesday Dec 3rd
Wednesday Dec 17th
6-7 pm
912 E Davenport Street
Iowa City
Street parking available
Group led by Mary McCall & Whit Martinez
Email mccallconSUlting22@gmail.com with questions
KNOW THINGS AND
VOTE
04
Community Inclusion Club
I i Y Al I I I I'Al'
December 6, 2025
Iowa City Senior
Center 1:30-3:30
28 S. Linn St
T-Shirts, Pizza,
Beverages
Come and learn
about your rights!
Representatives
from DRI and INS
will be there to
present
COMMUNITY INCLUSION
CLUB
428 S. Summit St.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Communityinclusionclub.com
12/6/25
1-30-3.30 pm
Agenda Item #7
From: Bethany Snyder
To: Iowa Civil & Human Riahts Commissioners Network
Subject: IA Commissioners Interested in Co -Signing a Human Rights Day Op -Ed?
Date: Monday, November 17, 2025 8:01:19 AM
R3Sl"[
** This email originated outside of the City of Iowa City email system. Please take extra care opening
any links or attachments. **
This message is from an external sender.
Hi all,
As a quick follow-up to our recent conversations about Human Rights Day, I've drafted an op-
ed for Dec. 10 focused on Iowa's recent rollback of civil rights protections and the opportunity
local communities still have to lead with inclusion.
A few commissioners across the state have expressed interest in co-signing, and I'd love to
open that invitation more broadly.
If you'd like to be listed as a co-author, just reply "yes" and add your name, city, and
commission.
Here is the link to the draft below so you can review the full piece before signing on.
The goal is to submit this to the Des Moines Register for Human Rights Day, and we may also
place local versions in community papers around the state. I've been in touch with the editor to
run the idea by him.
If you have edits, additions, or a local perspective we should include, feel free to note that as
well. I'll keep the draft open for comments for the next few days before we finalize.
Thanks, all coordinated visibility really matters this year, and I appreciate your willingness
to lend your voice.
Best,
Bethany
--------------------------------------
Bethany Snyder, MPP (she/her)
Snyder Strategies, LLC
Betha ny(a)SnyderStrateg ies. me
612-759-3352
Hope is not an advocacy strategy. Working with me is. Let's connect.
Reminder: this listsery is not intended for conducting city business or making policy decisions.
Any discussions involving policy decisions or deliberations should be conducted through
formal channels, adhering to the standard procedures of your respective commissions.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to
IACivilHumanRightsCommissioners+unsubscribe(o,snvderstrategies.me.
Human Rights Day Reminds Iowa: We Can Choose a More Inclusive Future
By Names of Co -Authors, �lowa Civil and Human Rights Commissione
December 10 is Human Rights Day, a global reminder that dignity, equality, and freedom from
discrimination are not abstract ideals. They are the rights every person deserves. And this year,
the day carries particular weight here in Iowa.
Just this year, during the 2025 legislative session, our state became the first in the nation to
narrow its civil rights protections by removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
While other states are expanding protections to meet the needs of a changing and diverse
population, Iowa moved in the opposite direction.
The rollback didn't make anyone safer. It didn't strengthen our economy. It simply told
transgender Iowans - our neighbors, friends, coworkers, classmates, and family members - that
their rights were negotiable.
That is not the Iowa we know. And it doesn't have to be the Iowa we become.
Human Rights Day gives us something powerful: a moment to reflect, but also a moment to
reset. Local communities across the state have an opportunity to model a different path — one
that moves us toward inclusion and belonging again, not away from it.
Cities and counties can adopt Human Rights Day proclamations, reaffirm their commitment to
nondiscrimination, and invest in the work of local civil and human rights commissions. These
steps are not symbolic; they are signals to residents and businesses that fairness still matters
here, and that all people remain welcome in our communities.
We also know firsthand how essential this work is. Civil and human rights commissions receive
complaints, mediate disputes, educate landlords and employers, and help residents navigate
complex systems. When state protections weaken, local commitment becomes even more
important. We are often the first phone call when someone experiences discrimination - and the
last line of defense when they're denied equal treatment.
Human Rights Day also reminds us that progress is never linear. Iowa has been a leader in
fairness before. We expanded civil rights protections for Black Americans and women long
before many states. We were one of the first states to recognize marriage equality. We know
how to build inclusive policy — we've done it.
The setbacks of this year do not erase that history.
But they do make the next chapter more urgent.
Commented [1]: is this wording too close to the actual
Iowa Civil Rights Commission at the state? Maybe not,
but thought I'd mention.
Commented [2]: @tiffanyberkenes@gmail.com do you
have any other suggestions for how to identify
ourselves?
Iowa can once again be a place where every person - lincluding transgender Iowans- knows Commented [s]: do we want to also consider explicitly
they belong. A place where rights aren't rolled back, but rolled forward. A place where mentioning immigrant rights somewhere above or
here?
communities reject division and choose equality instead.
Commented [4]: I like that ideal
This December 10, we invite local and state leaders, neighbors, employers, faith communities,
educators, and families to join us in recommitting to a more inclusive Iowa. Not someday. Now.
Because the work of human rights is not theoretical. It's practical, local, and needed in every
corner of this state.
Human Rights Day is more than an anniversary. It's a call to action — and Iowa still has the
chance to answer it with courage, clarity, and compassion.
SIGNED
Urbandale Civil Rights Commission
Bethany Snyder, MPP, Chair
Jane Robinette, Member
Tarik Ehlizevak, Member
Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission
Kam Middlebrooks, Chair
Chris Espersen, Vice Chair
Nate Niceswanger, Secretary
Britt Shank, Commissioner
Kathleen McDonnell, Commissioner
Tiffany Berkenes, she/her
Secretary, Human Rights Commission
City of West Des Moines
Doug Kollasch, MA, MBA
Chair, Human Rights Commission
City of Iowa City