Iowa City Today

Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague said during the latest episode of Community Connection that the Iowa Freedom Riders (IFR) have been making waves to change the city for good.

"Iowa Freedom Riders have made powerful demonstrations to pave the path for change in our city," Teague said during the video. "There is a movement happening here across the nation and in our city."

Raneem Hamad, an organizer for IFR, said she hopes they are making meaningful change for the city.

"This started with black youth in the community coming together," Hamad said. "In 2016, we were already protesting with students against discrimination and that was an organization my sister, I, and some friends started that organization when we were at West High in 2016. We already had that experience in the past."

Hamad said she hopes IFR can have a more permanent role within the city to make sure black lives and black issues are taken care of.

"We are looking to have a permanent seat on the council with IFR and making sure demands are fulfilled," Hamad said.

Teague said the protests have been a great opportunity for the city to make really bold moves.

Hamad said the stories being told by black individuals are important — not only to officials but also to white allies.

"This teaches white allies in the community what is going on," Hamad said. "How are minorities in my community dealing with this? It's not just an eye-opening thing for officials but it's eye-opening for our white allies as well."

Teague said he knows people have been calling for the Black Lives Matter movement and want the movement to be meaningful.

"Our white allies, in particular, want the movement," Teague said. "But, the personal stories are something people aren't getting to understand why this is important. When we say black lives matter it's something specific."

Hamad gave an example of a burning house when discussing why saying that all lives matter is not the same thing, saying if one house is burning in the neighborhood and a person goes and sprays water on the other houses, saying, "all houses matter."

"We're talking about the consistent struggle of black lives," Hamad said. "All Lives Matter completely invalidates the movement and the struggle."

Teague said he loved Hamad's analogy, saying it was a perfect example.

"Black lives are on fire and we need everybody to play a part to simmer it out," Teague said. "People have a yearning to learn and be a part of the movement and that education piece will arise throughout the community in various facets so that people can be more educated. I know their intentions are good, but, I believe we need more education."

Hamad agreed, saying those who want to be a part of the movement need to really know what the movement is about.