“What has José done except ask for freedom from brutality?” Rev. Marc Schlegel-Preheim of First Mennonite Church of Iowa City asked at a protest in front of the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Thursday. About 100 people were gathered on the steps of the courthouse to support José Yugar-Cruz, a 37-year-old asylum-seeker from […]
Catholic Worker House
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Father Guillermo Treviño, a leading advocate for immigrants and workers in eastern Iowa, dies at 39
Father Guillermo Treviño, Jr., pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty, died on Friday. His sister, Mariela Treviño-Luna, said in a social media post on Friday evening that Treviño had died unexpectedly after a brief illness caused by complications from diabetes. He was 39 years old. In addition to his pastoral duties in […]
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ICE violently seizes an immigrant worker at Bread Garden Market in Iowa City
Shortly before 11 on Thursday morning, two men who eventually identified themselves as “federal agents” violently seized a worker at Bread Garden Market on the Ped Mall in Iowa City. Neither man was wearing a uniform or displaying a badge or identification as they tackled Jorge Elieser González Ochoa, forcing him to the floor. After handcuffing […]
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Talking circles are changing conversations around social justice and discipline in Iowa City
In situations where both sides of a conflict feel disrespected or misunderstood, restorative justice talk circles have provided peaceful solutions, replacing drama and punishments with conversation. Last fall, the Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa (MSEI) created opportunities for school administrators and coordinators of workplace disciplinary programs and criminal justice diversion programs to learn how to lead one of these peacekeeping circles.
