A district court judge ruled on Friday that the Cedar Rapids City Council’s decision to amend the city’s future land use map last November for Cargill’s rail yard “was supported by substantial evidence” and acted in accordance with statutes. Sixth District Court Judge Mary Chiccelly denied the petition filed by State Sen. Rob Hogg and […]
Cedar Rapids City Council
Posted inCommunity/News
Advocates for Social Justice outline 11 recommendations for a citizens review board in Cedar Rapids
The Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) have published their research and recommendations for what a citizens review board should look like in Cedar Rapids and what should be kept in mind as it’s being established. The 18-page “Citizens Review Board Research Brief” discusses ASJ’s 11 recommendations, as well as how race needs to be “at […]
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‘We will not be silenced’: Protesters in Cedar Rapids march to City Hall and leave messages for elected officials (Updated)
“It’s time we get into some ‘good trouble’ … and this is good trouble today,” Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) member Jorel Robinson said at the start of Saturday’s protest in Cedar Rapids. Robinson was referencing the words of John Lewis, a civil rights leader and Georgia congressman who died on Friday. “We’ve come here […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids officials ‘do not plan’ to hold more meetings with Advocates for Social Justice to discuss police reform
Cedar Rapids officials “do not plan to be part of any additional negotiation meetings” with the Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ), Mayor Brad Hart wrote in an email sent to the group on Friday morning. ASJ members expressed concerns and disappointment over the decision, but said they are not giving up on their efforts. The […]
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Advocates for Social Justice lead a protest march to Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart’s house
Approximately 300 people marched in the heat on Friday afternoon from Monroe Park to Mayor Brad Hart’s house. The group kept up constant chants throughout the walk, including “this is what democracy looks like,” “Black lives matter” and “Black voices matter.” Friday’s march was the fourth event organized by the group Advocates for Social Justice […]
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‘It hurts, it really does’: Advocates for Social Justice feel silenced as Cedar Rapids starts process of forming police review board
Members of the Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) said they feel their voices are being silenced after virtually meeting with city officials last week to discuss how to move forward with establishing a citizens review board in Cedar Rapids. The grassroots group has been meeting with city leaders over the last few weeks to discuss […]
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Cedar Rapids will pay up to $1.2 million to settle lawsuit over traffic cameras
The city of Cedar Rapids will pay up to $1.2 million as part of a class action lawsuit settlement that received final approval on Thursday by a state district court judge. The lawsuit challenged the methods the city used to collect unpaid traffic camera fines. Under the terms of the settlement, the city will issue […]
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Iowa-Nebraska NAACP and the Iowa Police Chiefs Association launch a task force to examine police-community issues
The Iowa-Nebraska NAACP and the Iowa Police Chiefs Association (IPCA) announced the creation of a new statewide task force to work on improving relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. “It is undeniable that now is the time for improving law enforcement and community relationships. Those relationships are authenticated by transparent practices […]
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Big Grove Brewery, ice skating rink and movie theater are part of a new planned development in downtown Cedar Rapids
A public ice skating rink, family fun center, third Big Grove Brewery location and outdoor gathering area — those are just some of the attractions that could be coming to First and First West in downtown Cedar Rapids. During a virtual Cedar Rapids City Council meeting on Tuesday, councilmembers approved a resolution that authorizes City […]
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Protest march in Cedar Rapids turns into a celebration after the city council unanimously backs demands for reform
“Happy Juneteenth,” the crowd of about 150 people chanted on Friday as they marched from Cedar Rapids City Hall to the African American Museum of Iowa in light rain. June 19 — Juneteenth — is the anniversary of the day in 1865 when the news that slavery had been abolished reached formerly enslaved people in […]
Posted inLetters
Open letter to the Cedar Rapids City Council: Support the seven social justice demands
By Chad Cooper, Cedar Rapids In the aftermath of the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, we’ve seen back-to-back weekends of protests in Cedar Rapids, numbering up to 2,000+ people. These protests have united individuals across the city around a common goal to bring about monumental change. The group that organized the protests — […]
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Cedar Rapids City Council will hold special meeting on Friday to discuss Black Lives Matter priorities
The Cedar Rapids City Council is holding a special meeting Friday afternoon for a “discussion and resolution of support for a statement supporting Black Lives Matter priorities.” The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be held via Zoom due to COVID-19. The public will be able to watch on the city’s Facebook page. […]
