Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

Today we celebrate ! Often called the country’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans on June 19, 1865, over six months after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect.

Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.

Visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth to learn more about Juneteenth and for educational resources

The next Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission meeting will be held tonight at 5:30pm. The meeting will be held at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Council Chambers on the 4th floor. The meeting is open to the public.

Discriminatory advertising is illegal under the Fair Housing Act. The Act prohibits making, printing, or publishing any advertisement, notice, or statement that specifies a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on a protected class.

This applies not only to printed ads but also to persons and entities who place advertisements on apartment rental websites and on social media.

This also applies when the advertisement violates the Act, even if the advertised property may be exempt from the provisions of the Act.

If you believe you’ve seen housing discrimination in advertising, contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission at 319-286-5036 or [email protected].

The next Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, June 17, at 5:30pm in the Veterans Memorial Building on the 4th floor, located at 50 2nd Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The meeting is open to the public.

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will discuss and possibly act upon the matters as set forth below in this tentative agenda.

AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call – Introductions
III. Public Comment
This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission on any subject pertaining to Commission business. Each member of the public is welcome to speak, and we ask that comments to be kept to five minutes or less. Please speak when called upon. No discussion amongst Commissioners shall take place.
IV. Approval of Minutes from May 20, 2026 Meetings
V. Report from Chair
VI. Chair and Vice Chair Election Nomination
VII. Director’s Report
VIII. Committee Reports
IX. Information Items by Commissioners and Community Updates
During this portion of the meeting, Commissioners may bring forward communications, concerns, and reports on various matters. No discussion amongst Commissioners shall take place.
X. Adjournment

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission public meeting should contact the Commission at 319-286-5036 or email [email protected] as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the event.

Agendas and minutes can be viewed at www.cedar-rapids.org/civilrights. See less

Need to file a complaint? We can be reached several ways! Contact our office if you feel you’ve experienced discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations, credit and/or education. We’re here for you and we can help!

The next Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 5:30pm. The meeting will be held at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Council Chambers on the 4th floor. The meeting is open to the public.

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is a neutral, fact-finding law enforcement agency that enforces Chapter 69, Cedar Rapids anti-discrimination law.

Individuals are protected under this ordinance in the areas of employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodation.

If you believe you’ve been discriminated against in one or more of these areas based on your protected class, contact us at 319-286-5036 or [email protected].

Today we celebrate the first day of ! While it is important to keep working towards equality and moving forward, we can also look back and celebrate just how far we’ve come.

Cedar Rapids held its first Gay Pride Day in June 1995. The first Gay Pride Month events in June 1998 are often remembered as the first Pride celebration in the area. The celebration was initially about a half-dozen booths and stage. Since then, the celebration has grown significantly, with CR Pride hosting the annual event.