Open-Mic Night for UN Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Iowa United Nations Association, a 501(c)3 working in Iowa since 1953, is partnering with Uptown Bill’s Coffee Shop to host an open mic night in support of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The program is at Uptown Bill’s Coffee Shop, 730 S. Dubuque St., on Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00 pm.

Art and self-expression of community members will portray the significance of UNCRPD. Featured speakers and performances by poet Sara Akant and Combined Efforts Theatre are among the acts for the evening. Any community members wishing to perform can sign up at Uptown Bill’s the week before the event.

The program will focus on the rights of persons with disabilities in the Iowa City area and the broader national and international effects of US ratification of the CRPD. Audience members will have the opportunity to sign a petition for both Iowa senators showing support for ratification of the treaty, which will likely come to a vote this fall during the 113th Congress.  The measure failed to gain a super majority last year drawing widespread disappointment among Republican and Democratic supporters of the treaty.  Ratification will allow the US to join the 124 countries that have already ratified the treaty and become a world leader in influencing other nation states to ratifty the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Iowa City Human Rights Commission is co-sponsoring this event.