Two more Truth and Reconciliation Commission members resign

IOWA CITY - A week after vowing to stick with Iowa City's Truth and Reconciliation Commission after her resignation as chair of the group, Royceann Porter has resigned.

Joining her is former vice chair T'Shailyn Harrington. Three of the commission's nine members have resigned since a contentious March 4 meeting. The group's recently hired facilitator, Jesse Case, also has informed the Iowa City Council he cannot serve the commission.

'I believe in this work, and the power it offers to create necessary change in our community,” wrote Harrington in her letter. 'However, I am discouraged by the manner in which the Commission has operated, and I see no way forward in the current structure.”

In her letter, Porter cited the 'recent inappropriate, hostile and disrespectful behavior that has interfered with the ability of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to move forward with good faith.”

While thanking the City Council for appointing her to the commission, Porter said she has seen little support from the council.

'During our most recent and difficult meeting of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, I was offered no visible encouragement or support to continue their mission,” Porter wrote.

Porter and Harrington entered the commission's March 4 meeting as chair and vice chair, respectfully. Before facing a vote of no confidence from the commission related to comments she made during an Iowa City Council meeting and to a member of the public following a commission meeting, Porter resigned from the chair.

Harrington, who had led the meeting up to that point, briefly assumed the role of chair before she was voted out of her leadership role. Harrington, Porter and Anthony Currin - the third member of the commission to resign - all opposed her removal.

Commissioner Mohamed Traore was selected as the new chair, and Amel Ali was selected as vice chair during the meeting.

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