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Home My WebLink About11-18-2021 Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation CommissionAd Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission Agenda Thursday, November 18, 2021 7PM Emma J. Harvat Hall Iowa City City Hall 410 E. Washington Street In order to encourage input from the public, the Commission intends to offer the opportunity to participate in the meeting remotely. However, this meeting is in -person, and those wishing to ensure their ability to participate should attend the meeting in -person. If you instead wish to participate remotely, you may attempt to do so by joining the below link. Please note that the meeting link and ID for the first Thursday of each month is different than the link and ID for the third Thursday of each month. First Thursday Meetings httl)s://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN cMlaaV6cTxGwO1Wu2-hFHg I D: 867 2424 8095 Third Thursday Meetings https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN ICII811PSRo1u0XPIL-1Ew 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. Meeting Agenda: 1. CALLTOORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 4. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 4, 2021 5. PUBLIC COMMENT OF ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (COMMENTATORS SHALL ADDRESS THE TRC FOR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING SAID ITEMS). 6. DISCUSS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OF NOVEMBER 30, 2021 ON THE TRC 7. DISCUSS AND VOTE ON PROPOSED TIMELINE EXTENSION FOR THE TRC TO FULFILL ITS MISSON 8. UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS OF THE FUND EXCLUDED WORKERS COALITION AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN 9. DISCUSSION ON TRC LOCAL PARTNERS 10. FOLLOW-UP ON CIRCLE INVITATION 11. ANNOUCEMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS/STAFF (TRC MEMBERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION WITH ONE ANOTHER CONCERNING SAID ANNOUCEMENTS). 12. ADJOURNMENT If you will need a disability -related accommodation to participate in this meeting please contact the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your accessibility needs. I r i CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240-1826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org AD HOC TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 18, 2021 MEETING PACKET CONTENTS AGENDA ITEM #3 • LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AGENDA ITEM #4 • DRAFT MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 2021 AGENDA ITEM #9 • TRC TENATIVE LOCAL PARTNERS LIST 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. November 4, 2021 Draft Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Minutes Emma J. Harvat Hall City Hall Commissioners present: Amel Ali (via Zoom), Kevo Rivera, Daphney Daniel (via Zoom), Chastity Dillard, Wangui Gathua, Eric Harris (via Zoom), Clifton Johnson, Sikowiss (Christine Nobiss via Zoom), Mohamed Traore. Staff present: Stefanie Bowers. Community members who spoke at the meeting: Charlie Eastham, Annie Tucker. Recommendations to City Council: No. Meeting called to order: 7:01. Reading of Land Acknowledgement: Dillard read the Land Acknowledgement. Approval of Minutes from the October 21, 2021: Traore moved, and Rivera seconded. Motion passed 9-0 Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda: Tucker delivered remarks from the opening of a Circle she recently participated in. Recommendation to Extend the TRC's Timeline: The Commissioners would like to not only create a timeline that extends their work but also have that timeline detail each step in the process. One idea is to extend the timeline through June 2023 but that might be a bit rushed. The listening posts that the TRC plans to hold may not need all the members to be present but those that are present can work with the community on how they give or deliver their truths. Commissioners will plan to give their truths first to make more persons comfortable but it is probably best to invite community organizations to hear the TRC's plan and get their feedback prior to finalizing. Commissioners will seek input from area organizations on how to best engage with their communities. A subcommittee will further refine the timeline and bring it back to the TRC for the meeting on November 18. Ali, Dillard, Johnson, and Harris will serve on the subcommittee. Motion by Ali to defer the vote on the timeline to the November 18 meeting date, seconded by Gathua. Motion passes 9-0. The Fund Excluded Workers Coalition Update: The Johnson County Board of Supervisors held their final listening session. Nisaa African Family Services has joined the organizations supporting the workers. Whatever is decided by the City and Johnson County will not stop the work of the Coalition. List of Potential Partners for the TRC: In addition, to the list compiled by the TRC (see packet of November 4, meeting) the following were added: Forest View Tenant Association, ICCSD Equity Advisory Committee, ICCSD Mental Health Advocacy Group, Johnson County Interfaith Coalition, Sudanese Community Center, Open Heartland, 1-Heart, Humanize My Hoodie, United Action for Youth, places of worship, Coralville Food Pantry, and Johnson County African Network. Each Commissioner selected organizations to reach out to about the potential to collaborate. A template for a letter will be drafted and sent out to all Commissioners by Saturday Circle Invitation: There was a discussion on whether the entire Commission participating in a Circle at the same time would require them to follow Iowa's Open Meeting Laws. Staff believes it would but will discuss it with the City Attorney and provide their opinion to the Commission. If it proves to be problematic, Commissioners could participate in Circles as long as there were no more than four present. Commission Announcements: Harris mentioned the Catholic Workers House recently received a Human Rights Awards. Gathua reported on the Pat Meyer Vision Award ceremony. Traore noted conversations with Eduardo Gonzalez on TRC strategies. Staff Announcements: Staff reminded Commissioners of an opportunity to attend a complimentary training on Open Meetings being sponsored by the City. Adjourn: 8:35PM x x x x X X X X X N O X X X X X X X X X ti r x o x x o X X o X O x x x x X X X x X N a X x x X X O X X X D\ r O k k O k k k k k k b r �n M N N k k k k k k C k k N N N N N N N N N z F s R A x � A �7 h z iz F W x POTENTIAL PARTNER INDIVIDUALS 40 Elizabeth Bernal —cultural liaison for Iowa City schools, founding member of Prairielands Freedom Fund (see below) 40 Manny Galvez — founder and organizer of Iowa City Latino Festival 40 Bram Elias — immigration attorney, UI Law Professor 0 Peter Gerlach — UI International Studies adjunct assistant professor, Summer Institute Coordinator at the International Writing Program 40 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 Organization/Website/Contact Target Population/Services Provided TRC TRC Approved Liaison Black Voices Project Amplifying Black voices and culture in the ❑ Chastity https://www.facebook.com/icbvp/ community. Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa Assistance and education to low -wage ❑ Wangui https://cwiiowa.orgZ workers, including immigrants CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank Food bank, clothing vouchers for low- ❑ Daphney https://builtbycommunity.Org/ income individuals and households. Mobile crisis services. Dream City Community building, youth leadership ❑ Eric https://www.dreamcityia.org/ programs for children and families. Great Plains Action Society Indigenous organizers providing ❑ Sikowis https://www.greatplainsaction.org/ programming to educate, empower, and protect BIPOC communities. IC Compassion ESL and citizenship classes, food ❑ Wangui https://www.iccompassion.org/ assistance, free legal clinic, immigration assistance and, community meals, refugee counseling services. Inside Out Reentry Community Support for individuals involved in the ❑ Eric htti)s://www.insideoutreentry.com/ criminal legal system International Women's Club of Iowa City Social events and English programs for ❑ UNCLAIMED https://iwciowacity.wordpress.com/ women. Iowa City Catholic Worker Immigrant and refugee led community ❑ Eric https://iowacitycatholicworker.org/ providing food, housing, rent assistance, accompaniment, and deportation defense. Iowa City Free Medical and Dental Clinic Health care to low income individuals and ❑ UNCLAIMED https://freemedicalclinic.org/ families. Iowa City Mutual Aid Collective Kitchens project, street medic training ❑ Kevo https://iowacitym utuala id.com/ Iowa Freedom Riders Community organizing and mobilization ❑ UNCLAIMED https://www.facebook.com/iowafreedomCiderZ Iowa Jobs for America's Graduate (iJag) Mentoring, school retention, work ❑ Mohamed https://www.iowacityschools.org/Page/16080 resources, skill -building for 9-12`h grade students. I .wLegal Aid C.-..e eiyiI legal assistanee. ❑ Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in AAPI victims of gender -based violence ❑ Wangui Solidarity https://monsoonlowa.orgZ Multicultural Development Center of Iowa As a nonprofit, we provide free community ❑ Chastity https://www.mdclowa.org/ services 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 Johnson County Before and after school programs for ❑ Chastity https://ncic.org/index.html youth and family support services. NISAA African Family Services Programs for African immigrant and ❑ Wangui http://nisaa-afs.org/ refugee women, particularly victims of violence and sexual assault Path of Hope Refugee and immigration services ❑ UNCLAIMED https://path-of-hope.org/about/ Prairielands Freedom Fund Immigration bonds and pretrial bail ❑ Kevo https://www. Pra i rielandsfreedomfund.orgZ Proteus Health care, education assistance, and job ❑ UNCLAIMED http://www.proteusinc.net/ training for agricultural workers, including migrant workers. Shelter House Community Shelter & Transition Housing, food, healthcare, and case ❑ Chastity & Services management services for unhoused Kevo https://shelterhouseiowa.org/ individuals and families University of Iowa African American Council, Native American ❑ Wangui & Diversity Councils Council, Pan Asian Council, Latinx Council Kevo https://diversity.uiowa.edu/resources/dei- across-campu s Afro-American Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Centers Native American Cultural Center, Asian htti)s://multicultural.uiowa.edu/culturaicenters Pacific American Cultural Center; affiliations with other cultural student groups (Black Student Union, Asian American Student Union, South Asia Student Association, African Student Association) *Added At 11/4/21 Meeting* Name of Organization/Website/Contact Target TRC TRC Liaison Population/Services Approved Provided Forest View Tenants Association ❑ UNCLAIMED Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) ❑ Wangui/ https://www.iowacityschools.org/ Mohamed ICCSD Equity Advisory Committee ❑ Wangui/ https://www.iowacityschooIs.org/Page/l124 Mohamed ICCSD Mental Health, Special Education and Disability PTO ❑ Wangui/ htti)://autismiowacity.org/iccsd-mental-health-special- Mohamed education-and-disability-pto https://www.facebook.com/grouns/12EaEIQIIZI!l7 Johnson County Interfaith Coalition ❑ Mohamed https://o rga n i ze iowa. co m/ Sudanese Organizations ❑ Wangui I Heart Black Businesses ❑ Clif https://www.iheartblack.biz/ Humanize My Hoodie https://www.humanizemVhoodie.com/ ❑ Sikowis United Action for Youth afterschool teen programs, ❑ Chastity htti)s://www.unitedactionforyouth.org/ teen parents programs, Coralville Food Pantry Food insecurity ❑ Chastity https://www.coralvillefoodpantry.org/ The following documents were handed out during the meeting. Nicholas Theisen - 11/18 TRC Statement A Black man was lynched in Grinnell last year. I wouldn't fault you for not knowing that, since, until very recently, there was almost no news coverage of it. The trial of the men who perpetrated this act ended yesterday about an hour away in Sigourney. They strung Michael Williams up by his neck in a basement, bragged about the murder to their friends, and then left his body burning in a ditch. Just yesterday, they were found guilty of first degree murder. Some of you might consider this justice, but I can't forget how the police who investigated Williams' murder insisted it had nothing to do with race. Betty Andrews, the head of the Iowa -Nebraska NAACP, said it had nothing to do with race. Chris Kelly, another Black man, was beaten and tased by nearly a dozen ICPD officers just outside the Waterfront HyVee in what a federal judge referred to as a clear incident of "walking while black." Kelly is now suing Iowa City for the violation of his civil rights, and just like the police in Grinnell, just like Betty Andrews, the city is insisting that the assault on Mr. Kelly had nothing to do with race. Two days ago, councilors Janice Weiner and Laura Bergus insisted that the arrest of the chair of this commission just outside one of its meetings was an unfortunate coincidence and "bad optics." The good liberal people of good liberal Iowa City practically pissed themselves in 2016 when Donald Trump was elected, going on and on about the specter of creeping fascism. Yet, we see fascism literally on our front doorstep, and our good liberal leaders act like it's no big deal. I wonder... how many of them could tell me who Makeda Scott is? Or Breasia Taylor? Why is it I hear them say over and over again, "Black Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter..." and yet the brutalization of Black lives right here, right where we all live, never seems to be on their radar. Last year, the Iowa City city council set aside a million dollars for "Black Lives Matter" --the fund is literally called BLM--and yet to date they have spent not one penny of it. Not only have they not spent it, they are currently making no plans to spend it! It seems now the threat of protesters occupying their front lawns is no longer an issue, the imperative to protect Black lives has fallen by the wayside. I can't speak for anyone else who came out into the streets last summer, but I, for one, didn't put my body on the line so y'all could play footsie with these people. How many times does city council have to punch you in the gut, before you realize that this is a political struggle, and an incredibly serious one at that? These good liberal leaders you're now all expected to play nice with are the very same people who shit on us constantly last summer. Let's be very clear: you all are meeting in here, because we all marched out there. And who were we? Let me give you an example. You probably saw the incredible image of a car barreling into protesters on Burlington. You may not have seen or heard all the less spectacular, but no less dangerous, run-ins we had. I was standing less than twenty feet from a friend of mine, when a fascist piece of shit backed right into him. A couple of people in the march tried to run after the car, but this young man picked himself up off the ground, calmed everyone down, and got right back in line. You want to know what he said to them? "That's not who we are." This is someone who drags his ass out of bed early in the morning to stand between the people who go to the Emma Goldman Clinic for reproductive services and the assholes who harass them. You might chafe at me calling them fascists, but one person in the vehicle that hit him literally yelled "white power," as they drove off. As it turns out, you don't have to worry about creeping fascism, because it's already here and has been for some time. Some of its most gleeful perpetrators wear a badge and carry a gun. And before you become their next target, you might want to ask yourself who would stand between you and those who have no qualm with seeing you harassed, beaten, or killed. You think Pauline Taylor would have your back? The mayor? The man who's done practically everything in his power to make sure this commission fails? Or is it the people who have already proven they would stand on that line, time and time again? I didn't come here with a particular demand or suggestion. As an interested observer of this commission from its very inception, I simply had a few things to get off my chest. Perhaps you can keep them in mind when you meet with city council in a couple of weeks. Thank you. DECEMBER (2021) Goals: Draft Process design for public events - Draft discussion/interview guide for receiving truth telling testimony - TRC and staff need to discuss logistics and coordination for in -person events - Work on developing a script for how these processes will go - Decide ways in which we are conducting interviews (video, phone, surveys, 1 on 1, etc.) JANUARY (2022) - Start prepping/planning for events (where, when, logistics, topics) helpful to work with other organizationsH - Prepare infographics/posters/fliers depicting the event and TRC - Develop content for possible PSA's broadcasts on radio, etc MARCH-OCTOBER (2022) - Lots of testimony and collaboration on events should happen during these months - Our goals shouldn't be to record every single testimony but to pick compelling ones that we can later record. OCTOBER-NOVEMBER - LOTS of rewatching and analyzing - Do we want to collectively work on recommendations together? I think it would be great to have community input in some form as well. Identify: Trends, ideas, among citizens. Someone taking notes during testimonies. When it comes to writing the report this will be helpful as it will help us envision/structure the entire report (ex. Do we want different sections of policing, housing, etc. and a conclusion? What would this look like?) Kevo: in terms of drafting the process design for the sessions, wants to get input from organizations on how best to engage with communities. Dillard: want to push it out to june of 2023, to give us more time. Worried that two months to analyze and rewatch would end up putting us feeling crunched for time. More of the winter time to gather information. Harris: thinks commissioners should go forward with telling our own personal truths to help build trust with the community and us. Gathua: Wants the help of other organizations on timeline IF we pushed timeline to June 2023 DECEMBER (2021 1 Goals: Draft Process design for public events - Draft discussion/interview guide for receiving truth telling testimony - TRC and staff need to discuss logistics and coordination for in -person events - Work on developing a script for how these processes will go - Decide ways in which we are conducting interviews (video, phone, surveys, 1 on 1, etc.) JANUARY (2022) - Start prepping/planning for events (where, when, logistics, topics) helpful to work with other organizations!! - Prepare infographics/posters/fliers depicting the event and TRC - Develop content for possible PSA's broadcasts on radio, etc MARCH-DECEMBER (2022) - Lots of testimony and collaboration on events should happen during these months - Our goals shouldn't be to record every single testimony but to pick compelling ones that we can later record. DECEMBER-MARCH (2023) - LOTS of rewatching and analyzing - Do we want to collectively work on recommendations together? I think it would be great to have community input in some form as well. - Start working on a report outline APRIL-JUNE (2023) - Continue to work on Report - Share recommendations with the community through public meetings, events, media, etc. - Strategizing with community members/organizations on their opinions of how the TRC process was conducted Note: We do have people that are willing to meet with commissioners and begin training them on how to facilitate a truth telling session, prepare public -facing materials to assist attendees with participation, including help with developing a script for events, questions for witnesses, etc. What Kinds of support will we need from the city/staff? Ex: hiring a strategic planner? Conflict resolution analyst? Someone to help analyze the findings in our report? Is the option to hire someone for a position in Stef's office still on the table?