Police Reform On The Agenda For Cedar Rapids Protestors

Hundreds of people took part in a protest march Saturday in Cedar Rapids. KCRG reports that the march took place from Bever Park to First Avenue and back. The topic? Police reform.

The group 'Advocates for Social Justice' has been working with the Cedar Rapids officials on numerous proposed changes. Some of which include:

• Establishing a Citizens Review Board
• Investment in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Ban the use of chokeholds, knee to neck moves, and strengthen existing use of force standards.
• Decriminalize marijuana crimes and other lower-level offenses.
• Impose strict body camera provisions for officers.
• Make the negotiations between municipal authorities (management) and the bargaining units that represent police officers public.
• Get rid of qualified immunity for officers.

Protestors say that they are working for police reform and building a better future for their kids. KCRG reports that Cedar Rapids police officials say that they know change needs to happen, and have already said that they are working on adding a citizens review board and adding language to its policies that would ban chokeholds.

Organizers of the march told KCRG that they want the government and the city of Cedar Rapids to understand that the pressure is on and that they are standing behind their demands. They also understand that police reform is only the beginning of the changes that need to be made. One protestor said that if we don't march, "my kids will be affected by the same things I've been growing up affected by."