Lang
12/13/23
Dozens of local residents packed Tuesday night’s Iowa City city council meeting demanding the council issue a resolution supporting Palestine and calling for an immediate cease-fire in its current conflict with Israel.
The issue was not on the council’s scheduled docket. But numerous residents made the suggestion during the council’s regular community comment section, which allows members of the public to address issues not on that meeting’s agenda. By rule, the councilors are not allowed to question or comment on issues addressed, so no further action was taken.
Many of those who addressed the council also asked that criminal charges be dropped against nine pro-Palestine protestors who chained themselves to gates at Kinnick Stadium during a Saturday afternoon fundraiser. The protestors claimed University of Iowa Police were overly-aggressive and used excessive force during the arrests.
Hayley Bruce, public information officer with UI Police, told The Daily Iowan that if the protestors had simple demonstrated in the parking lot instead of blocking access to attendees and damaging property, they never would have been charged. She also noted that no formal complaints of abuse have been filed by those arrested against university police officers.
There is no indication if the city council plans to address either issue in the future.