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Timeline: Cedar Rapids’ progress toward a citizen review board
Advocates for Social Justice
Oct. 29, 2020 1:00 am, Updated: Oct. 29, 2020 5:29 pm
' June 6: Advocates for Social Justice released seven demands at protest for George Floyd's murder.
' June 19: Cedar Rapids City Council voted unanimously to implement ASJ's seven demands.
' July 10: Communications reached an all-time low and city officials stated they will not continue talks with ASJ.
' July 27: ASJ released recommendations for a Citizen Review Board. Notable concepts included in the recommendation are:
Subpoena power
Binding disciplinary action
Power to independently investigate
Hire and fire the police chief
Quarterly reports and data with demographic breakdowns
Ability to recommend changes in policies and practices
Board makeup that is at least 50 percent people of color and gender balanced
' July 28: ASJ Citizen Review Board subcommittee began meeting with city staff weekly.
' September 30: City of Cedar Rapids closed Citizen Review Board community survey.
' October 9: Last day of focus groups facilitated by NACOLE and co-hosted by the city and ASJ.
' October 20: Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously voted to approve a resolution to form Citizen Review Board.
Advocates for Social Justice members include Amara Andrews, Anthony Arrington, Anne Harris Carter, Tamara Marcus and Stacey Walker.
Darshaun Smith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, carries a Black Lives Matter flag on a march to City Hall during a We Won't Be Silenced Peaceful Protest in Greene Square in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, July 18, 2020. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
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