Statement from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP):
“Texas Organizing Project (TOP) is deeply saddened and outraged by the clear display of white supremacy that took place at the Allen outlet mall in Texas this past weekend killing eight Texans, including two elementary school-age sisters and a 3-year-old boy.
“The absolute least Texas House officials could have done in response this week was to have scheduled HB 2744 – which would have raised the minimum purchase age for semi-automatic weapons in the state to 21 years old – for a full House floor vote before the legislative session ends. The policy is supported by a majority of Texans, with 76% of Texas voters support raising the gun purchase age from 18 to 21.
“While details of the investigation are still unfolding, it’s known the shooter openly espoused white supremacist beliefs and targeted Jews and women in his social media posts. This heinous act of violence is a sobering reminder that hate and the dangerous ideology of white supremacy continue to plague our society.
“As an organization committed to advancing racial and economic justice, TOP understands full well there’s a throughline between white supremacy and the growing number of violent attacks across Texas and our country, and we are steadfast in condemning and combating violence stemming from white supremacist ideology at every turn.
“This includes fighting to dismantle structures that perpetuate white supremacy in our country today, as we strive to create an equitable, more just future for all communities.”
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About Texas Organizing Project (TOP)
TOP 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 May 10, 2023.