FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 06/06/2020 Contact: Bruce Teague, Mayor Phone: 319-536-1200
Local Black community leaders to join George Floyd demonstrations Saturday; urge for peaceful protests
Since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, protesters have taken to the streets in and around Iowa City. The protests have been wide-ranging and well attended.
The City of Iowa City supports the fundamental rights of protesters to assemble and express themselves. Without the benefit of advance notice or communication from protesters, Iowa City has sought to protect the protesters by closing streets, redirecting traffic, and directing Iowa City Police Department officers to provide public safety support from a distance.
Mayor Bruce Teague, with the support of local Black leaders, and many other elected officials, makes the following specific requests for everyone participating in the ongoing protests:
“The expectation of our Black community leaders is that the protests remain peaceful," Mayor Teague said. "Specifically, we ask all protesters to:
Refrain from using fire or any kind of explosives, including fireworks;
Remain on foot;
Stay on public property and do not access or damage private property;
Avoid stopping traffic on the Interstate, either on foot or by stopped vehicles.
The local protests are important. This is a moment of necessary change. We are ready to keep working. Let’s shift some of the action from the streets to City Hall.”
A local coalition of Black elected officials, community leaders, and allies will again connect with protest organizers on the University of Iowa Pentacrest this evening, at 7 p.m. Saturday June 6, 2020, in peaceful protest and invite the Iowa City community to join in solidarity.
Iowa City remains committed to supporting free expression and peaceful protest, to reviewing police policy and action, and to confronting systemic racism and bias in our community.
All in attendance are strongly encouraged to wear cloth masks or face shields, and should maintain social distance at all times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
