TOP statement on Supreme Court striking down right to safe and legal abortion

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director, in response to the Supreme Court ruling overturning the landmark case and legal precedent of Roe v. Wade:

“Today, our nation’s right-wing political machine, fueled by lies and a desire to continue the sinister, violent legacy of white supremacy, stripped Americans of their fundamental right to safe and legal abortion – a ruthless crusade nearly 50 years in the making. 

“Words alone cannot fully convey the atrociousness of this partisan opinion, the ways in which it jeopardizes countless other inherent personal freedoms, and the level of harm it will inflict on our nation’s marginalized communities – notably Black and Latino. 

“This methodical undermining of our fundamental rights is par for the course for this Supreme Court. It is this right-wing court that has shattered protections in the Voting Rights Act and has now gutted rights established by Miranda v. Arizona.

“It is no coincidence whatsoever that right-wing extremists are hell-bent on banning us from making decisions for ourselves, literally not allowing us as human beings to have the power to determine our own futures. The fight for healthcare broadly, and abortion access specifically, IS a fight for racial justice.

“In his absurd majority draft opinion drenched in cynicism, Justice Alito states “Women are not without electoral or political power” – a twisted and insulting invitation for us to re-secure these human rights ourselves at the state legislative level, since our reactionary-ruled Supreme Court will not recognize them.

“We fully intend to turn Alito’s backhanded dare on its head, and fight tooth and nail with allies for however long is necessary to ensure that all – no matter our race, income level, or ZIP Code – have access to the abortion care we all deserve. 

“We will leave no stone unturned in using this dare as a catalyst for bold, people-powered transformation. Our presence will be felt in the streets, and our rage will be channeled at the ballot box as we will stop at nothing to win, because future generations deserve so much more than regressive policies holding us back from living the full, happy lives we all have a right to live.”

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Texas Organizing Project organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.

This statement was sent out June 24, 2022.

Securing a Houston housing justice organizing win

ORGANIZING WIN: On June 1, 2022, TOP’s Harris County Housing Justice campaign members were pleased to see included in next year’s Houston city budget the funding for salaries for eight habitability/health inspectors in the first year of the Apartment Inspection Reform program — an initiative of Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer (At-Large, Position 4).

TOP Houston members testified in support of this passed budget amendment which will increase accountability for landlords to provide livable housing for ALL Houston tenants.

Our Harris County Housing Justice campaign believes housing is a fundamental human right. Every Houstonian deserves to live in a home that is clean, safe, and inhabitable. We are proud that this passed budget amendment will ultimately improve housing conditions for many more Houston tenants in the coming months.

Contact Mitzi Ordoñez at mordonez@organizetexas.org to learn more about this victory and how you can get involved in our Harris County Housing Justice efforts.