At Cedar Rapids rally, advocates urge white allies to unite for racial justice

CEDAR RAPIDS — Racial justice advocates at a rally Saturday urged white allies to uplift the voices of people of color and unite in the fight for equity, some criticizing city and state politicians for slow-walking progress or passing policies they say only perpetuate oppressive systems.

Dozens of community members, activists and politicians from the city, county and state gathered for a “A Rally to Unite” at Greene Square aimed at allies of the movement against racial injustice. The local nonprofit Advocates for Social Justice organized it with support from organizations including the Iowa Democratic Black Caucus, Leaders, Believers, Achievers Foundation and Indivisible Iowa.

Amara Andrews, vice president of the board of the Advocates for Social Justice and a Cedar Rapids mayoral candidate, introduced herself as a candidate “to bring a new vision, and new leadership” to the city but said she was at the rally “as an advocate for social justice.”

Andrews said former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s convictions on all counts for the murder last May of George Floyd is a “small win” that can be celebrated, an instance in which one officer was held accountable.

“We deserve to be protected by the police, not hunted by them,” Andrews said. “We must demand police reform.”

Her request of attendees Saturday was to demand that other humans, regardless of race, identity or socioeconomic status, be treated right. She urged people to call out bad behavior of peers, colleagues, family members and government officials.

“Justice is up to us, allies and people of color, coming together to fight for what's right,” Andrews said. “Simple, equality, dignity and justice for all.”

Tamara Marcus, co-founder of the Advocates for Social Justice and candidate for the District 3 City Council seat, said the movement for racial equity in Cedar Rapids has been successful because of “steadfast support of allies who have continued to show up” as well as groups like the advocates and We Are CR.

Marcus touted the council’s unanimous approval of creating a citizens’ police review board, only the second such panel in Iowa charged with oversight of local police.

People should keep having difficult conversations, showing up and vote for candidates who see activists as “people with the power to make meaningful change — if only they will let us,” she said. “Our elected officials should represent us not ignore us, especially when we're fighting for our lives,” Marcus said.

Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker said the lives lost to police brutality were victims of “a system that is broken beyond repair. Because you cannot repair a system that was originally designed to oppress people of color.”

He said the community is ready to put pressure on Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart and the rest of the City Council for further change. Two council members, Ashley Vanorny and Pat Loeffler, attended the rally Saturday.

“It truly is an amazing thing: In just a year, you forced an entire City Council — an obstinate City Council — to agree to a slate of minimum demands that will put us on a path toward justice and equality,” Walker said.

Hart said in an email to The Gazette that he was not asked to attend the event. “Our commitment to unity is reflected in all the policy decisions we make,” the mayor said.

Chris Cronbaugh, who has attended a number of the rallies in the community since Floyd’s killing, said he feels that in Cedar Rapids, disasters like floods and derecho have disproportionately impacted people of color and other marginalized communities. Having grown up in Cedar Rapids, he said he feels like “there needs to be a recommitment to the entire community beyond just economic development and besides bike trails.”

Other speakers condemned bills in the GOP-controlled Iowa Legislature they considered retaliatory to the racial justice movement. State Rep. Liz Bennett, D-Cedar Rapids, called this legislative session “extraordinarily horrible.”

“Anytime there's progress, there will be a backlash,” Bennett said.

Coe College student Harold Walehwa, an Advocates for Social Justice member, criticized two bills — House File 802 and Senate File 342 — as “the epitome of systemic racism.”

HF 802, which has passed the Iowa House, would prohibit teaching of “divisive concepts” and bar public schools and universities as well as any state or local government agency from having diversity training that suggests Iowa or the nation is “fundamentally racist.”

SF 342, which has passed both chambers but was amended and awaits final approval, would offer qualified immunity to law enforcement, protect drivers who run into protesters blocking a highway from civil liability, withhold state funds from local governments that defund police and add or increase penalties for a variety of crimes.

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