Lang
3/6/21
The first chairperson of Iowa City’s new Truth and Reconciliation Commission has already resigned amid allegations that she was openly hostile toward members of the commission and the public.
Johnson County Supervisor Royceann Porter resigned from her chair position on Thursday. Commission members Raneem Hamad and Mohamed Traore have accused Porter of creating a “hostile work environment” within the group, and they accused Porter of being openly hostile to members of the public. The two made their feelings known after a February 16th city council meeting in which a member of the public called councilors “cowards” for not making councilor Mazahir Salih’s opinions on the review of the June 3rd teargassing of Black Lives Matter protestors on Dubuque Street public. Porter ripped the man who made the comment, as well as other Iowa Freedom Rider members, for criticizing black politicians at public meetings. She said they were the actual cowards for arguing with the people who are trying to stand up for them.
Traore told the Press-Citizen that Porter was trying to silence the public. Porter argues that she was being unfairly criticized for telling her “own truth”. Other commissioners called for Porters’ resignation, which she issued at Thursday night’s meeting.
Traore will take over as the commission chair. Porter will remain on the commission in a lesser role, with Traore saying he still values her opinions, even if it may mean some difficult conversations in the future.
Traore added that some disagreements are to be expected, citing the original Truth and Reconciliation Commission meetings in South Africa, which also became heated at times.
The commission was created in December as part of a multipart resolution addressing racism in the city.