Iowa City City Councilors plan to move forward with discussion on a resolution drafted by Councilor Jim Throgmorton in light of the slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

"There are things going on in this community that are not good for African Americans," Throgmorton said. "Attention needs to be paid. The main thing I was hearing was people expressing their outrage about the shooting and how things are unfolding in this city. The proposed resolution is the beginning."

Throgmorton and Councilor Rick Dobyns plan to further discuss the resolution and meet with appropriate city officials before putting it on a council agenda.

Councilor Susan Mims expressed some concerns.

"[We must be] really cautious that about where we start and draw the line on making resolutions on national issues," she said. "To me, as a council, what we need to focus on is what’s going on in our own backyard. Racism is alive and well in this community."

Mayor Matt Hayek agreed with Mims.

"I take a more limited view of what the charge of the City Council is," he said. "We get into uncharted water when we take up specific issues in other states and around the country."

The resolution will likely appear on a future council agenda.

— by Kristen East