I would have personally liked to have seen more consideration given to all of our thoughtfully crafted and well researched amendments but we will take the W.

“I don’t know about these numbers” said Councilor Knudson as he declined to second one of Councilor Huynh’s motions to approve one of the amendments and it fell down dead to further discussion. That’s a moment that will stay with me.

We do know about these numbers and we provided them well in advance for councilor review but it’s more comfortable and convenient to stay in denial than it is to take a courageous stand.

Councilor Huynh is to be commended for genuinely engaging with the work, meeting with constituents to discuss and advise and doing her level best to remind her colleagues of their responsibility to represent all of their constituents.

My final personal note specifically to mayor and council is a condemnation for stationing law enforcement inside the meeting. This is not standard procedure for a Coralville city council meeting and this choice speaks to their view of us as a threat rather than as valued members of a community.

More than anything, I am so gratified by the kind and collaborative work done behind the scenes by people of multiple backgrounds coming together to amplify the message that Americans are crying out for a ceasefire.