Year: 2021

HOME > 2021

Fighting for the rights of tenants in Harris County

February 10, 2021

No one should be facing eviction in the middle of a pandemic. Housing is a human right. Since last March, even with the CDC eviction moratorium in place and having been extended, there have been THOUSANDS of evictions filed in the City of Houston.

The CDC moratorium failed to protect the majority of these residents. Houston renters must come together and demand the swift, bold relief we need. We believe all deserve an affordable and safe place to call home.

That’s why our Housing Justice campaign this past weekend was engaging with apartment tenants in the Cypress Station area of Harris County to hear their concerns and let them know of their rights!

For more information on how to get involved in our Harris County Housing Justice Campaign, call or text Rai Prysock at (832) 652-6255.

TOP in the news 

Raw Story: Democrats are ‘clearly poised’ for a Georgia-like victory in Texas: journalist

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

Police accountability will officially be on the ballot in San Antonio

San Antonians have spoken and they’re calling for more police accountability in our communities. After months of petitioning across the city, the San Antonio City Clerk’s office last week verified that our ally Fix SAPD gathered the petition signatures needed to get the repeal of Texas Local Government Code Chapter 174 on the ballot for this May’s municipal election!

Because of the longtime existence of Texas Local Government Code Chapters 174 and 143, it’s nearly impossible to hold bad police officers and the institutions that enable them accountable for their actions.

That’s why TOP is supporting Fix SAPD in this effort, because to make true public safety a reality in our communities, we need to get rid of barriers that shield problematic police officers and their misconduct.

Now that the repeal of Chapter 174 will soon be on the ballot, JOIN US FOR A DIGITAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF this Thursday, February 11, at 6 p.m.

RSVP FOR THE LAUNCH PARTY HERE.

For more information, call or text Jasmine Estrada at (210) 542-2262.

TOP in the news

Raw Story: Democrats are ‘clearly poised’ for a Georgia-like victory in Texas: journalist

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

Celebrating Black history this month and every month

February 3, 2021

Since our nation’s founding, Black Americans have been the cornerstone to its meteoric rise, the reason for its prosperity, and the protectors of its democracy. All the while, our communities continue to endure the many devious forms of white supremacy that seek to diminish us. While forces may try, we will never be defeated and our spirits never broken.

This Black History Month, TOP is celebrating the lives, contributions, and sacrifices of our ancestors whose resilience and tenacity shaped us into who we are today. We invite you to join us.

Through the end of February, we are commemorating each day a figure whose work has gotten us closer to true Black liberation.

Follow along on TOP’s Facebook page daily here!

TOP in the news

The Nation: This Is Why Texas Is The Next Georgia

KXAN: Advocates of undocumented immigrants criticize Texas AG’s lawsuit to halt Biden’s deportation freeze

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

Rejoicing as Ben Spencer is almost free

TOP members are excited about the news this past week of Ben Spencer being closer to getting back his freedom. Ben is the son of longtime TOP member Lucille Spencer who for over 30 years has fought to get justice after his wrongful conviction.

Over the last six months, members have ramped up pressure with petitions, rallies, phone-a-thons, and a letter-writing campaign to make sure Ben gets his shot at freedom.

This progress would not be possible if it were not for the grassroots organizing of our members, ongoing support from community allies, Ben’s legal team, and the Dallas County District Attorney’s office supporting that the conviction be vacated.

TOP will continue to follow Ben’s journey and advocate for his full freedom so he can finally hug his mother Lucille after all these years. Stay tuned!

For more information on our Right2Justice campaign work in support of Ben, call or text Carvell Bowens at (214) 934-8558.

TOP in the news

The Nation: This Is Why Texas Is The Next Georgia

KXAN: Advocates of undocumented immigrants criticize Texas AG’s lawsuit to halt Biden’s deportation freeze

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

A TOP shoutout in The Nation

Organizing is how Texas becomes the next Georgia

Read all about it: This past Friday, TOP’s year-round organizing and voter engagement work to put more power in the hands of Black and Latino Texans was featured in The Nation!

Just as Steve Phillips, founder of Democracy in Color, highlights in his article, “The next state that is most clearly poised for a Georgia-like trajectory is Texas.”

Using the TOP playbook focused on expanding the Black and Latino electorate, Stacey Abrams and community organizers across Georgia poured their heart and soul into not only a presidential election, but two Senate races that as we all know reaped BIG rewards.

“The Texas Organizing Project is playing a similar linchpin role in Texas,” emphasizes Steve.

Every day through scaling up our work, we are getting closer toward flipping Texas.

DONATE TODAY to fuel our voter engagement work in 2021 and beyond!

TOP in the news

The Nation: This Is Why Texas Is The Next Georgia

KXAN: Advocates of undocumented immigrants criticize Texas AG’s lawsuit to halt Biden’s deportation freeze

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

Plug in to the progress of our Dallas County Right2Justice campaign

January 27, 2021

Our Dallas County Right2Justice campaign is hitting the ground running in 2021, but to win big, bold changes, we need input and support from Dallas community members who want to see our justice system transformed from the inside out.

Be part of our upcoming Dallas County Right2Justice monthly members meeting as we celebrate last year’s wins and strategize on our goals for the months ahead, from bail reform, to ending police brutality, to ensuring a new trial for Ben Spencer, who was wrongfully convicted in Dallas in 1987.

Share the Facebook event and join us this Thursday at 6 p.m.!

For more information, call/text Idania Carranza at (469) 955-5477, or Carvell Bowens at (214) 934-8558. 

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

Hitting back at Ken Paxton for his latest racist stunt

Trump enabler Ken Paxton is at it again. On Friday, our state’s disgraced attorney general had the gall to file a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration’s humane move to temporarily halt some deportations. It’s laughable how Paxton believes he has any legal standing to challenge this.

Then again, he’s only confirming what we Texans already know; that he is a racist, corrupt politician who does not hesitate to use the powers of his office to oppress Black and Latino communities to advance his far-right agenda.

We have two words for our state’s vile attorney general: Resign, Ken. Immigrants will not be intimidated by a fraud who thinks he is above the law.

Instead, we’re focused on winning the large-scale transformative immigration reform our undocumented communities deserve. Measures including an inclusive and swift pathway to citizenship for all, as well as full COVID-19 health and economic relief.

See more of our campaign demands here and call your representative in Congress for bold immigration reform!

For more information, please call or text Damaris Gonzalez at (832) 774-7704.

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

Learn about the bail reform we need in Harris County this Thursday

Join TOP and our Right2Justice allies on Thursday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. for a Facebook Live conversation titled “The Truth about Bail Reform” where we’ll be answering your questions on the “nuts and bolts” of bail reform, as well as laying out our vision for the bail reform our communities deserve.

TOP played a key role in getting Harris County Commissioners to approve a historic settlement to end litigation over Harris County’s unconstitutional misdemeanor bail system in 2019, but our organizing work is far from over.

Our panelists will include Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Judge Genesis Draper (Criminal Court at Law No. 12), and Judge Natalia Cornelio (351st Criminal Court).

Share the Facebook event here and remember to tune in on the 28th.

For more information, call or text Gracie Armijo at (832) 998-0269.

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

HOME > 2021

Channeling MLK’s unwavering spirit in this pivotal moment / Canalizando el espíritu inquebrantable de MLK en este momento crucial

January 21, 2021

Standing on the shoulders of a justice-seeking giant

TOP’s observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day may have looked a bit different this year due to the pandemic, but our celebration of his life remained ever present.

It was less than two weeks ago that the scourge of white supremacy violently roared through the halls of the U.S. Capitol, igniting intense introspection on who we are as a nation, and so clearly illustrating just how far off we are from realizing Dr. King’s dream.

For Black Americans, this introspection is a vastly different and traumatic experience. Since our nation’s inception, Black people have propelled it to prosperity and dared it to fully live out its promise, delivering countless victories for our democracy all while withstanding the many insidious forms of white supremacy that chip away at our humanity.

Our fight for racial and economic justice is intrinsically linked to Dr. King’s bold, unapologetic vision for dismantling institutional racism and the oppressive power structures that still hold millions of Black and Latino Americans back from living the full lives we deserve.

In a matter of hours, a bigot will end his chaotic reign at the White House, having been electorally defeated by our communities that he sought to marginalize at every turn, the same communities Dr. King lifted up and championed.

With our existences on the line, communities of color were fearless in the face of white supremacy and used our collective power at the ballot box to deal it a notable blow. This isn’t a coincidence; this is MLK’s legacy in action.

Offering cold, hard facts on the bail reform we need

Cash bail is wrong, simple as that. No one deserves to languish in jail simply because they can’t afford to post bond.

Join TOP and our Right2Justice allies on Thursday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. for a Facebook Live conversation titled “The Truth about Bail Reform” where we’ll be answering your questions on the “nuts and bolts” of bail reform, as well as laying out our vision for the bail reform our communities deserve.

Our panelists will include Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Judge Genesis Draper (Criminal Court at Law No. 12), and Judge Natalia Cornelio (351st Criminal Court)!

Share the Facebook event here and remember to tune in on the 28th.

For more information, send an email to Gracie Armijo at garmijo@organizetexas.org.

Ready to usher in new national leadership and hold them accountable

Tomorrow, January 20, we will finally close the chapter on Trump’s failed presidency and welcome an administration capable of delivering actual leadership and the deep-rooted change that millions of Americans are counting on in this moment.

TUNE IN to watch history with us, as Joe Biden and our nation’s first female vice president Kamala Harris get sworn in at their inauguration!

Endorsed by TOP in November’s election, it will be imperative for Biden and Harris to immediately reverse the previous administration’s damaging policies in their first days in office. With control of both the House and Senate, as well as a mandate from a more than 7 million vote margin of victory, it’s imperative they chart a new bold, progressive path forward that puts Black and Latino Americans at the forefront of our nation’s policy agenda.

Voters of color paved the way for a Biden-Harris win, and our communities will be expecting results!

Español

De pie sobre los hombros de un gigante que busca justicia

La celebración de TOP del Día de Martin Luther King Jr. puede haber sido un poco diferente este año debido a la pandemia, pero nuestra celebración de su vida permaneció siempre presente.

Hace menos de dos semanas que el ataque de la supremacía blanca rugió violentamente por los pasillos del Capitolio de los Estados Unidos, encendiendo una intensa introspección sobre quiénes somos como nación e ilustrando tan claramente lo lejos que estamos de realizar el sueño de Dr. King.

Para los Afroamericanos, esta introspección es una experiencia ampliamente diferente y traumática. Desde los inicios de nuestra nación, la gente Negra ha impulsado hacia la prosperidad y ha desafiado a cumplir plenamente su promesa, logrando innumerables victorias para nuestra democracia al mismo tiempo que soporta las muchas formas maliciosas de supremacía blanca que nos quiere arrebatar nuestra humanidad.

Nuestra lucha por la justicia racial y económica está intrínsecamente vinculada a la visión audaz y sin remordimientos del Dr. King para desmantelar el racismo institucional y las estructuras de poder opresivo que aún impiden que millones de Afroamericanos y Latinos vivamos la vida plena que merecemos.

En cuestión de horas, un racista terminará su caótico reinado en la Casa Blanca, habiendo sido derrotado electoralmente por nuestras comunidades las cuales buscó marginar en todo momento, las mismas comunidades que Dr. King levantó y defendió.

Con nuestras existencias en juego, las comunidades de color no tuvieron miedo frente a la supremacía blanca y utilizaron nuestro poder colectivo en las urnas para asestarle un golpe notable.

Esto no es una coincidencia; este es el legado de MLK en acción.

Ofreciendo hechos claros sobre la reforma de la fianza que necesitamos

La fianza en efectivo está mal, así de simple. Nadie merece quedar encerrado en la cárcel simplemente porque no puede pagar la fianza.

Únase a TOP y a nuestros aliados de Right2Justice el jueves 28 de Enero a las 6:30 p.m. para una conversación en vivo por Facebook titulada “La verdad sobre la reforma de la fianza”, donde responderemos sus preguntas sobre los “aspectos prácticos” de la reforma de la fianza, así como también expondremos nuestra visión para la reforma de la fianza que nuestras comunidades merecen.

¡Nuestros panelistas incluirán al alguacil del condado de Harris, Ed González, la Jueza Genesis Draper (Corte Criminal en la Ley No. 12), y la Jueza Natalia Cornelio (Corte Criminal 351)!

Comparta el evento de Facebook aquí y recuerde sintonizarnos el día 28.

Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a Gracie Armijo a garmijo@organizetexas.org.

Listo para marcar el comienzo de un nuevo liderazgo nacional y hacerlos responsables

Mañana, 20 de Enero, finalmente cerraremos el capítulo sobre la presidencia fallida de Trump y daremos la bienvenida a una administración capaz de brindar un liderazgo real y el cambio profundamente arraigado con el que millones de estadounidenses esperan en este momento.

¡SINTONIZANOS para ver la historia con nosotros, mientras Joe Biden y la primera Mujer vicepresidenta de nuestro país, Kamala Harris, toman juramento en su inauguración!

Respaldado por TOP en las elecciones de Noviembre, será imperativo que Biden y Harris reviertan inmediatamente las políticas dañinas de la administración anterior en sus primeros días en el cargo. Con el control de la Cámara y el Senado, así como con un mandato de más de 7 millones de margen de victoria, es imperativo que tracen un nuevo camino audaz y progresista que coloque a los Afroamericanos y Latinos al frente de la agenda política de nuestra nación.

Los votantes de color abrieron el camino para la victoria de Biden-Harris, ¡y nuestras comunidades estarán esperando resultados!

TOP in the news / TOP en las noticias

WFAA: Reflections on MLK Day after a difficult year…and 6 days

San Antonio Express-News: Editorial: Expand jail property room, ditch fee
 

TOP is YOUR organization! / ¡TOP es SU organización! 

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day. /
Su contribución hace posible nuestro trabajo y nos permite luchar por nuestras comunidades todos los días.

BECOME A MEMBER / HÁGASE MIEMBRO
PAY YOUR DUES / PAGUE SU CUOTA
DONATE / DONE

HOME > 2021

We won’t be intimidated by seditious white supremacists

January 12, 2021

We won’t be intimidated by seditious white supremacists

What President Trump and his Republican enablers like Senator Ted Cruz incited last week in Washington was full-on white nationalist violence. Unwilling to accept the fact he lost a fair election, Trump ramped up his demagoguery to dangerous new heights Wednesday, incited an attempted far-right coup, and as a result, must be removed from office.

TOP also demands Ted Cruz’s resignation for adamantly defending the president’s baseless and dangerous claims that the 2020 general election was stolen, helping set the table for that day’s disgusting display of white supremacy in action.

To see a violent horde of white men storm through the halls of the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn the will of voters should sicken every American and send chills down our spines. We also must recognize the racist double standard: had this been a predominantly Black or Latino group demonstrating for an actual just cause, law enforcement would have shot rubber bullets, tackled dozens to the ground, and forcibly started making arrests before they even approached the steps of Capitol Hill.

From his corruption, to his incompetence, to his cruelty, the nightmare that has been Trump’s presidency cannot end soon enough. We demand full accountability for all who incited last week’s violence and nothing less.

A step closer to the police accountability we need in San Antonio

After months of conversations with thousands of San Antonio residents, we’re happy to report that our ally Fix SAPD presented more than 20,000 petition signatures to repeal Texas Local Government Code Chapter 174 to the San Antonio City Clerk’s office Friday. We’re now one step closer to getting it on the ballot this May and increasing police accountability in San Antonio!

Because of the longtime existence of Texas Local Government Code Chapters 174 and 143, it’s nearly impossible to hold bad police officers accountable for their actions.

That’s why TOP is supporting Fix SAPD in this effort, because to make true public safety a reality in our communities, we need to get rid of barriers that shield problematic police officers and their misconduct.

The city clerk now has 20 business days to verify petition signatures. If the validated signatures meet the threshold, then the item will be on the February 11, 2021, San Antonio City Council Agenda. From there, Council will vote to place the item on May’s ballot.

Learn more about the campaign at the fixsapd.org.

For more information on how you can get involved, call or text Laquita Garcia at (972) 342-5116.

Cultivating powerful women of color who are ready to lead and serve

TOP is proud to kick off our 3rd (Dallas) and 4th (Harris) Cohorts of our Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI)!

BCLI trains and supports women of color who are eager to serve on local boards and commissions to become fierce and effective advocates for their communities. The program begins with an intensive six-month training that provides participants with a framework to analyze issues of equity in the city of Dallas through the lens of race and class. As leaders in their organizations, participants work toward fair policy for all.

This year, we have participants representing Baytown Ganders Black Alumni Group, Mi Familia Vota, Positive Women’s Network-USA — Greater Houston Area, SAFE Diversity Communities, SEIU TX, Texas Advocates for Justice / Grassroots Leadership, TOP, and more. This cohort will meet online in English and Spanish.

Take a moment to get to know our cohort through our class Spotify playlist!

For more information about TOP’s BCLI program, call or text Alpa Sridharan at (832) 998-1885 for Harris County, or Empress Lindsey at (469) 203-0496 for Dallas County.

Español

No seremos intimidados por rebeldes supremacistas blancos

Lo que el presidente Trump y sus facilitadores republicanos como el senador Ted Cruz incitaron la semana pasada en Washington fue una violencia nacionalista blanca total. No dispuesto a aceptar el hecho de que perdió unas elecciones justas, Trump elevó su demagogia a nuevas alturas peligrosas el miércoles, incitó a un intento de golpe de estado de extrema derecha y, como resultado, debe ser destituido de su cargo.

TOP también exige la renuncia de Ted Cruz por defender firmemente las afirmaciones infundadas y peligrosas del presidente de que las elecciones generales de 2020 fueron robadas, lo que ayudó a preparar la mesa para la repugnante demostración de supremacía blanca en acción de ese día.

Ver una violenta horda de hombres blancos irrumpir en los pasillos del Capitolio de los Estados Unidos en un esfuerzo por revertir la voluntad de los votantes debería enfermar a todos los estadounidenses y enviarnos escalofríos. También debemos reconocer el doble estandar racista: si este hubiera sido un grupo predominantemente negro o latino que se manifestaba por una causa justa real, la policía habría disparado balas de goma, derribado a docenas de personas y habría comenzado a realizar arrestos por la fuerza incluso antes de que se acercaran a los escalones. de Capitol Hill.

Desde su corrupción hasta su incompetencia y su crueldad, la pesadilla que ha sido la presidencia de Trump no puede terminar lo suficientemente pronto. Exigimos la plena responsabilidad de todos los que incitaron a la violencia de la semana pasada y nada menos.

Un paso más cerca a la responsabilidad de la policía que necesitamos en San Antonio

Después de meses de conversaciones con miles de residentes de San Antonio, nos complace informar que nuestro aliado Fix SAPD presentó más de 20,000 firmas de peticiones para derogar el Capítulo 174 del Código de Gobierno Local de Texas en la oficina del Secretario de la Ciudad de San Antonio el Viernes. ¡Ahora estamos un paso más cerca de incluirlo en la boleta electoral en mayo y aumentar la responsabilidad policial en San Antonio!

Debido a la larga existencia de los Capítulos 174 y 143 del Código de Gobierno Local de Texas, es casi imposible responsabilizar a los malos oficiales de policía por sus acciones. Es por eso que TOP está apoyando a Fix SAPD en este esfuerzo, porque para hacer realidad la verdadera seguridad pública en nuestras comunidades, necesitamos deshacernos de las barreras que protegen a los agentes de policía problemáticos y su mala conducta.

El secretario de la ciudad ahora tiene 20 días hábiles para verificar las firmas de la petición. Si las firmas validadas cumplen con el umbral, entonces el artículo estará en la Agenda del Concejo Municipal de San Antonio del 11 de febrero de 2021. A partir de ahí, el Consejo votará para colocar el artículo en la boleta de mayo.

Obtenga más información sobre la campaña en fixsapd.org.

Para obtener más información sobre cómo puede participar, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto a Laquita García al (972) 342-5116.

Cultivando mujeres poderosas de color que están listas para liderar y servir

¡TOP se enorgullece de dar inicio a nuestros terceros (Dallas) y cuartos (Harris) cohortes de nuestro Instituto de Liderazgo de Juntas Directivas y Comisiones (BCLI)!

BCLI capacita y apoya a mujeres de color que están ansiosas por servir en juntas directivas y comisiones locales para convertirse en defensoras feroces y efectivas de sus comunidades. El programa comienza con una capacitación intensiva de seis meses que brinda a las participantes un marco para analizar los problemas de igualdad en la ciudad de Dallas a través de el lente de  raza y la clase. Como líderes en sus organizaciones, los participantes trabajan por una política justa para todos.

Este año, tenemos participantes que representan al Baytown Ganders Black Alumni Group, Mi Familia Vota, Positive Women’s Network-USA – Greater Houston Area, SAFE Diversity Communities, SEIU TX, Texas Advocates for Justice / Grassroots Leadership, TOP y más. Esta cohorte se reunirá en línea en inglés y español.

¡Tómese un momento para conocer a nuestro grupo a través de nuestra lista de reproducción de clase de Spotify!

Para obtener más información sobre el programa BCLI de TOP, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto a Alpa Sridharan al (832) 998-1885 para el condado de Harris y a Empress Lindsey al (469) 203-0496 para el condado de Dallas.