By Zoe Mahler, Iowa City
I’m really excited about Oliver running for city council. In the two years since I’ve returned he has proven time and time again how a person can connect with Iowa City. It feels like there is such a turnover or divide between university and permanent residents. Like a pressure to leave, a grief over watching the city commercialize, feeling disconnected from the place I grew up in. It makes it incredibly difficult to stay, especially as Iowa becomes an increasingly hostile state.
But I want to stay! Oliver is someone who shows me that I can stay. He makes me want to connect with my neighbors, to make music, to love it here. If Oliver did not love Iowa City he would not act as he does.
Oliver is a longtime human rights activist who acts upon principles of community care, mutual aid, education and kindness. He has taken the time and energy to truly connect with those he interacts with, to build trust with anyone who crosses his path. So much so that people come to him for help and advice.
When he is presented with an issue he takes action, like last winter when there was a cold snap. The Shelter House needed propane donations to distribute so that our neighbors living on the street wouldn’t freeze to death; we have seen it happen before. Oliver made a call for donations and within 12 hours the community contributions had far exceeded the demand. He then bought and delivered propane and other supplies the same night.
Why should the Shelter House even need to cry for donations? Why should our neighbors be forced to live outside in freezing temps? Why is the city evicting people from camps and destroying their things and giving them no real safe alternative? We are all tired of wondering if we will hear about the eviction or death of a friend. Oliver knows how to put action to answering these kind of questions, and I trust him to include us all in the process.
