Hunter
09/29/22
The former chair of the Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission has now resigned her position as a member of the Commission.
The Press-Citizen reports that Amel Ali submitted a letter of resignation Tuesday in an e-mail to the City Council and city staff. The resignation was immediate, and Ali said that she was, quote, “forever grateful for all of the knowledge and learning that happened over the last two years, even during times of turmoil and frustrations.”
Ali became embroiled in controversy in August when audio of a podcast she participated in surfaced. She reportedly directly insulted Johnson County Board of Supervisors Chair Royceann Porter, who called for her resignation. The audio also finds Ali criticized one community leader as an “old fart” and questioned the value of his experiences as a black man.
Ali apologized for the comments, but refused to resign at the time. The City Council debated on the issue before ultimately deciding to table a motion to remove her.
The members of the City Council and Truth and Reconciliation Commission that were reached for comment after the resignation told the newspaper they remain confident that the TRC can move forward.