Hunter
08/17/22
The Iowa City Council has indefinitely tabled their decision on whether or not to remove a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Amel Ali came under fire when podcasts she participated in contained racial slurs and disparaging comments about members of the minority community including the Black Voices Project. Royceann Porter of the Project was specifically targeted in the podcasts, and she demanded that Ali be removed.
Ali has since apologized for her remarks.
A special session was held Thursday August 4th to consider Ali’s removal, and the issue was tabled to Tuesday’s meeting. Last night, the council decided to table the decision indefinitely. Mayor Bruce Teague voted against tabling, saying that having Ali on the commission is not appropriate.
Ali was voted out as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission after the podcasts came to light, and discussed with the Council how a potential restorative justice process would unfold. She emphasized that she would not take a leadership role while it was progressing.
During the public comment section of Tuesday’s meeting, there were remaining calls to remove Ali from the council, as well as people who spoke in support of her. Ms. Porter said she was hurt by Ali’s podcast comments, but forgave her. Others urged the council to pause and let the TRC itself figure out how to move forward.
The Council created the commission in 2020 in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Its history has been problematic, with turnover of commission chairs and members, and the City Council putting a pause on the commission’s work for a brief time. Daphney Daniel announced her resignation from the Commission earlier this month, citing health and personal reasons. Interested parties have until September 27th to apply for the vacancy.