Black Lives Matter Movement & Systemic Racism

The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, amplified the Black Lives Matter movement and immediate need for action. As a result, rapid change has swept the country, including here in Iowa City.

Accelerated by local protests and calls for justice, the City of Iowa City has committed itself to strengthening existing social justice and racial equity efforts as well as re-imagining new strategies for dismantling systemic racism in our community.

Review the City's Preliminary Plan to Restructure Police here.

Black Lives Matter & Systemic Racism Resolution (June 2020)

On June 16, 2020 City Council passed Resolution 20-159, outlining 17 actions to be taken by the City to address the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and systemic racism. City staff will periodically provide a status report on progress of these actions. An abridged summary of the resolution items is listed below:

1. Develop a preliminary Plan to restructure the Iowa City Police Department (ICPD) towards community policing.

2. Commit $1,000,000 to local efforts promoting racial equity and social justice.

3. Increase diversity of City employees, expand equitable recruitment efforts, and elevate organizational equity training, policies, and procedures.

4. Receive a report of ICPD involvement in use of gas and flash-bang devices during a June 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Iowa City.

5. Create ad hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission to carry out restorative justice.

6. Adopt 2021 state legislative priorities related to criminal justice reform, enhanced authority of the Community Police Review Board (CPRB), and decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.

7. Continue use of racial equity toolkit use in all city departments, expand training to the City Council, and educate and train the local business community.

8. Increase accountability and oversight authority of CPRB, where legally possible.

9. Improve transparency and accessibility of detailed ICPD budget expenditures.

10. Review inventory of military grade equipment in ICPD, evaluate federal contracts with the ICPD, and express support for divestment of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.

11. Enact ICPD General Order to expressly ban the use of chokeholds and any maneuver that cuts off oxygen or blood flow.

12. Continue ICPD policy and practice to be consistent with IA H.F. 2647, ensuring police officers in Iowa have not committed serious misconduct.

13. Investigate compliance and evaluate disciplinary action related to proper use of body cameras and vehicle recording devices

14. Ensure the duty to intervene and stop excessive force, in both ICPD General Order and an MOU with area law enforcement agencies.

15. Increase opportunities for artistic expression by communities of color.

16. Prohibit the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bangs against peaceful protesters.

17. Establish Juneteenth as an official city holiday beginning in 2021.

Summary of Racial Equity Efforts

For information on past social justice and racial equity efforts, visit the Office of Equity and Human Rights.

Racial Equity Report Card
Memo on City's Use of the Racial Equity Toolkit (July 23, 2020)
Report on Iowa City Employee Demographics, Recruitment Efforts, and Staff Diversity Training (August 20, 2020)

What is Community Policing?

Community Policing is a philosophy that seeks to address the root causes of crime, works to reduce fear of social disorder, and builds confidence in police through problem-solving strategies and police/community partnerships. It recognizes that law enforcement can rarely solve complex societal problems alone and that creative solutions and partnerships are needed to ensure the best outcome for all residents. Community Policing may mean many different things to different people.

Community Outreach

The City Council, along with its appointed Board and Commissions and City staff, are committed to conducting outreach throughout the community.

If you would like City staff of the Office of Equity and Human Rights to conduct trainings on Know Your Rights in the area of education, public accommodation, housing, employment, credit or on the use of a racial equity toolkit, please contact The Office of Equity and Human Rights.

In addition to specially planned events, the public is invited to provide input at formal City Council meetings, Community Police Review Board meetings, and/or Human Rights Commission meetings.

Upcoming Education + Engagement Events:

The City will be hosting and co-hosting several events throughout February 2021 to celebrate Black History Month. Learn more at icgov.org/BHM2021.

February 11, 2021: Virtual "Diversity, Leadership & Effective Listening: A Social Justice Imperative Training", for area businesses and organizations, from 1 p.m. - 4.pm. Facilitated by John G. Igwebuike and Dr. Eddie Moore Jr.
February 11, 2021: Release of "The Iowa Federation Home" program on City Channel 4, City Channel 4's YouTube page, and the City's social media platforms. Part of a three-part video series on Black history in Iowa City. Program released at noon.
February 17, 2021: Virtual "Unconditional Loyalty" program, 1 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the African American Museum of Iowa.
February 15 - February 18, 2021: Black History Month Mini-Storytime, hosted virtually by the ICPL, beginning virtually at 10:30am.
February 18, 2021: Release of "Tate Arms" program on City Channel 4, City Channel 4's YouTube page, and the City's social media platforms. Part of a three-part video series on Black history in Iowa City. Program released at noon.
February 18, 2021: Virtual "Diversity, Bias, and Micro-aggressions" training for area businesses and organizations, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. facilitated by Dr. Carmen Iannarelli and Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.
February 18, 2021: "Black Athletes Then and Now": Virtual Jackie Robinson movie discussion and UI athletic panel. Register in advance.
February 19, 2021: Virtual program, "Endless Possibilities: Iowa's African American History," at 1:00 p.m. Hosted by the Senior Center in partnership with the African American Museum of Iowa, with support from TRAIL of Johnson County.
February 24, 2021: Black History Month book discussion, Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston.
February 25, 2020: 'Climate Action and Communities of Color': a virtual conversation with Richard Mabion and Ayman Sharif, from 6pm - 7pm.
February 25, 2021: Release of "Bethel AME Church" program on City Channel 4, City Channel 4's YouTube page, and the City's social media platforms. Part of a three-part video series on Black history in Iowa City. Program released at noon.
Fridays through February 26, 2021: "The 1619 Project," weekly at 11:00am. Hosted virtually by the Senior Center.
Sundays in February 2021: ICPL Sunday Fun Days dedicated to Black History Month on Feb. 7, Feb. 14, and Feb. 28.
February 2021: Cultivating Cultural Comptency self-paced bingo
Ongoing: Iowa City Public Library's Read Woke Program (all ages)

Past Events:

June 3, 2020: Speak Up, Speak Out: Wetherby Park - watch the video
June 5, 2020: Speak Up, Speak Out: Pheasant Ridge Community Center - watch the video
June 6, 2020: Speak Up, Speak Out: Mercer Park - watch the video
July 22, 2020: Initial Culturally Responsive Communication training for local business community
September 9, 2020: Culturally Responsive Communication training for area property managers/landlords and businesses
September 16, 2020: Listening Post #1 on Community Policing (Mental Health, Crisis Intervention, and Addiction), at Mercer Park.
September 21, 2020: Community Police Review Board Annual Community Forum, via Zoom.
September 22, 2020: Listening Post #2 on Community Policing (Special Needs Population), via Zoom.
September 26, 2020: Listening Post #3 on community policing (UI Students), at Hubbard Park.
September 29, 2020: Listening post #4 on community policing (abuse and victims of abuse), at Wetherby Park.
October 5, 2020: Listening Post #5 on community policing (homelessness), at Chauncey-Swan Park.
October 8, 2020: Listening Post #6 on community policing (youth), at Dream City.
October 22, 2020: Advanced implicit bias opportunity for local landlords/businesses.

Documents and Resources

More Information

Racial equity is the development of policies, practices, and strategic investments to reverse racial disparity trends, eliminate institutional racism, and ensure that outcomes and opportunities for all people are no longer predictable by race.

Why start with race?

The creation and perpetuation of racial inequities is embedded into economic, educational, health care, governmental, and social structures at all levels. Initially focusing on racial equity provides the opportunity to introduce a framework, tools and resources that can also be applied to other marginalized groups based on gender, sexual orientation, ability, class, and age, among others.

Get involved:

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Black Lives Matter Movement & Systemic Racism