On Friday night, the Iowa Freedom Riders led marchers through the streets of Iowa City in their first protest since early July. IFR organizers — joined by five members of Des Moines Black Lives Matter, who had been in Cedar Rapids earlier to deliver donated items to help people affected by the derecho — led […]
Iowa Freedom Riders
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City confirms police did use tear gas on protest marchers on June 3
Iowa City Police Department officers did use tear gas on protesters gathered on Dubuque Street on June 3, an assistant city attorney confirmed on Monday in reply to a citizen’s open records request. Little Village was provided with a copy of the email from Assistant City Attorney Susan Dulek, sent at 4:04 p.m. on Monday. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City launches website to let public track progress on police reform, racial equity and social justice goals
Iowa City has added a section to the city’s website, allowing the public to see how much progress is being made on the council’s 17-point resolution addressing the demands of the Iowa Freedom Riders regarding policing, affordable housing and other issue involving racial justice and equity. City Manager Geoff Fruin called the new section “a […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘My life matters! Your life matters!’: Iowa artists unveil new mural overlooking Iowa City’s Northside
A new mural from Iowa artists Robert Moore and Dana Harrison, titled “The Reciprocal of Humanity,” was formally unveiled Saturday night, July 4, on the side of the Market House on North Linn Street. Building project manager Ross Nusser recruited the artists, who have worked together frequently in the past, for the project. “I love […]
Posted inCommunity/News
School board will meet with Iowa Freedom Riders to discuss their demands for change in Iowa City schools
The Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors will hold a work session on Wednesday with leaders of the Iowa Freedom Riders, dedicated to a discussion of IFR’s demands for changes in Iowa City schools. Some members of the board have already met with IFR representatives, but during its June 23 meeting, the board […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Freedom Riders protest in Washington, where Gov. Reynolds was reportedly staying the night
After the Iowa Freedom Riders’ success in getting the Iowa City Council to address their city-level demands last week, IFR turned their attention to their state-level demands and Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday. Following a march in Iowa City, which attracted more than 150 people, a group of approximately 50 protesters drove to Washington, Iowa, […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa Freedom Riders leader Mazin Mohamedali reaches plea deal with the Johnson County Attorney’s Office
Attorneys for Mazin Mohamedali, one of the leaders of the Iowa Freedom Riders, announced on Friday afternoon their client will enter into a plea deal with the Johnson County Attorney’s Office. In return for Mohamedali pleading guilty to a single simple misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct, other charges recently filed against him will be dropped […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Watch: Mayor Bruce Teague and Supervisor Royceann Porter discuss Juneteenth, Black Lives Matter and the Black Voices Project
During the Thursday edition of Iowa City’s online program Community Connection, Mayor Bruce Teague and Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter discussed Saturday’s Juneteenth Celebration on the Pentacrest, as well as the recent protests in the city and the country. Although other Juneteenth celebrations have had to be canceled due to COVID-19, the Iowa Freedom Riders, […]
Posted inUncategorized
‘This is a moral moment for the world’: Images from the protests in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
“Understand the largeness of this moment,” Stacey Walker told the people gathered in Greene Square Park on Saturday, June 6. “These will be the pictures our kids see in the history books. We know in our hearts, in our souls, that this is a moral moment for the world.” More than 2,000 people had come […]
Posted inCommunity/News, COVID-19
Iowa City Pride hosting virtual parade on Saturday, joining Juneteenth march
Pride events across the country were swiftly canceled earlier this spring, as the risks posed by COVID-19 became clear, but many LGBTQ organizations promised not to let Pride Month pass without a celebration. Iowa City Pride will host its own socially distant celebration this Saturday, June 20, with a virtual parade. Local drag queens and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘This is amazing,’ says mayor as Iowa City Council passes resolution to restructure ICPD and address other demands of the Iowa Freedom Riders
“I’m excited,” Mayor Bruce Teague said at the end of the Iowa City Council’s special formal session on Tuesday night. The almost four-and-a-half-hour meeting followed the city council’s two-hour-long normal formal meeting, and was devoted to developing a plan to address the social justice issues that have come to forefront as a result of local […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Council will consider Iowa Freedom Riders’ demands at special formal meeting Tuesday night
The Iowa City Council will take up the demands of the Iowa Freedom Riders, as well as other issues related to systemic racism and policing policies, during a special formal meeting on Tuesday night. The council discussed the demands and related issues during its special work session on June 9, but this will be the […]
