‘Nix it or fix it’ says Iowa-Nebraska NAACP about bills it says would harm civil rights in the state

The Iowa-Nebraska NAACP State Area Conferences of Branches will converge at noon today on the ground floor of the Iowa Capitol to oppose bills its president said will have severe consequences for civil rights in Iowa. She urges the public to go to the Capitol and voice their opposition to the bills, which are HF2574 and SF2385.

The NAACP held a virtual emergency meeting attended by 75 people on April 13. The group also developed an Protect Iowa Civil Rights Toolkit with talking points and resources.

“This bill removes the power that the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 gives to our seven Iowa Civil Rights Commissioners and gives it to one person, the director. It is opposed by all six current Civil Rights Commissioners and is not in alignment with the originators of the Iowa Civil Rights Act,” according to a statement in the toolkit.

The bill also removes commissions related to diversity, including the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans.

“Remember, we need them to Nix it or Fix it!” wrote Betty Andrews, NAACP president in an email Monday morning, urging people to contact their legislators.

Lawmakers are expected to take up the issue today after 1 p.m., she stated.