Organization recognizes the magnitude of uprisings taking place across U.S. college campuses

The following statement is from leadership of Texas Organizing Project (TOP) on the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza at the hands of the Israeli government, in response to the horrific attacks on Israeli families on October 7 by Hamas:

“As a pro-Black, anti-racist organization challenging racial capitalism, and amidst the backdrop of historic college campus protests, TOP stands against all forms of oppression and supports the liberation of oppressed people here in Texas, across the United States and worldwide. Recently, troubling reports have emerged at Texas universities where peaceful, nonviolent protesters are being arrested and subjected to law enforcement activity that does not necessitate such harsh responses. At TOP, we call on elected officials to urgently safeguard the rights to peaceful protest and freedom of speech throughout Texas, especially on our college campuses. This local and global perspective aligns with and manifests one of TOP’s core values, solidarity.

“We feel deep sorrow for each and every life lost to the rising violence between Israel and Palestine. We are once again reminded that injustice and violence breeds only more oppression and bloodshed, as the continued stream of devastating visuals of the genocide of now nearly 35,000 Palestianians in Gaza, many of whom are children and rises every day.

“That the United Nations’ highest judicial body convened in January for a case brought forth by South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza should be a clarion call to us all that this inhumanity must stop. Despite the inaction of our national leaders, two-thirds of Americans support an immediate ceasefire. It was reported this week that the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be preparing to issue arrest warrants for Israeli government officials on charges related to the conduct of its war.

“Resolving to live in a world where every person can live a complete life with peace, dignity, and fearlessness requires us to reject attempts by those who would use our suffering as justification for more violence and bloodshed. This includes the people of Palestine, who have endured decades of oppressive occupation and apartheid, as well as the Israelis who are being held captive by Hamas. 

“We demand the Israeli government stop destroying lives, homes, and communities, and that it stop punishing Palestinians collectively for the actions of Hamas. The Israeli government must also acknowledge the massive humanitarian impact of its actions in Gaza. Millions of Gazans — of whom half are children — have been left without food, water, or electricity, and their homes have been bombarded. To do anything less than demand an immediate cease-fire would be to assist in the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinian people.

“It’s imperative to address the root causes of this methodical dehumanization, while working toward a sustainable, peaceful solution that respects the rights and dignity of all people involved. Any meaningful progress toward lasting peace and stability will require an immediate cessation of hostilities, and a commitment to dialogue and justice.

“The Israeli government’s embargo, occupation, and generally accepted apartheid system, which causes immense, ongoing misery for Palestinians and only serves to escalate conflict that denies everyone peace and safety, must end.

“As emphasized in TOP’s staff union statement, ‘We also echo the calls for liberation to lift the siege on Gaza, end the apartheid, and end the settler-colonial occupation of Palestine.’

“The Biden administration and Congress must do everything in their power to fight bigotry, antisemitism, and genocide. Despite the apparent darkness of our times, we continue to feel that it is worthwhile to struggle for a future in which everyone can prosper, regardless of the color of our skin, the language we speak, or where we call home. We are all capable of bringing about the peace we need more of in this world.”

Co-signed:

Michelle Tremillo and Brianna Brown (TOP Co-Executive Directors)
Dr. Doshie Piper and Maria Victoria De La Cruz (TOP Board Co-Presidents)
Debra Walker (TOP Education Fund Board President)

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About Texas Organizing Project:

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.

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director, in response to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reaching a deal with special prosecutors to avoid going to trial for securities fraud after nine years:

“This sham deal shows us clear as day how there exists two ‘justice’ systems in this country; one for the wealthy and well-connected, and one for every one else.

“It also doesn’t change the fact that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is our state’s most corrupt elected official in modern times. 

“Just like his insurrectionist idol, Donald J. Trump, Paxton is a power-hungry white nationalist grifter who will say and do anything to avoid accountability. After all, he not only attended, but spoke at Trump’s infamous Stop The Steal rally on January 6.

“For years, Paxton has weaponized our state’s attorney general’s office to infringe on people’s constitutional rights – from access to the ballot box, to abortion, to seeking asylum, and more.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a corrupt politician in Texas who is more deserving of being removed from office for their years of attacking our communities, restricting our freedoms, and destabilizing our democracy.

“Part of BlackTOP’s historic effort to reach out to 1.4 million Black Texans in the 2022 midterm included attempting to serve Paxton a “People’s Subpoena” at a political fundraiser hosted by one of his right-wing mega-donors in Colleyville.

“A darling of the far-right, Paxton has elevated himself politically at the expense of the well-being of Black and Latino Texans, illustrating time and time again how he is dangerous for our families, dangerous for our state, and dangerous for our country. 

“No matter age, race, economic status, or political leanings, ALL Texans deserve honest elected officials who lead with integrity, not status-seeking, immoral politicians who only look out for themselves.”

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About Texas Organizing Project:

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.

TOP Calls On Elected Officials to Reject Discriminatory Policies 

Today the Supreme Court narrowly ruled in a 5–4 decision to allow the enforcement of SB4, the state’s new law targeting migrant communities. Texas Organizing Project (TOP) vehemently condemns the ruling as a direct attack on communities of color and a flagrant disregard for federal authority over immigration laws. TOP Co-Executive Director Michelle Tremillo and TOP Immigration Lead Organizer Damaris Gonzalez issued the following statements:

Michelle Tremillo shared, “This jeopardizing of human lives must stop. Today’s reckless Supreme Court ruling emboldens racial profiling, attacks personal freedoms, and directly threatens the wellbeing of our state’s immigrant families. As TOP has made clear before, SB4 is white supremacy in action. This disgusting law was only designed to sow division and fear in Texas communities, not enhance public safety. TOP continues our fight for justice and the rights of ALL people across Texas.”  

Damaris Gonzalez added, “It cannot be overstated how this gutless move from the Supreme Court further codifies discrimination and endangers lives in our state. This is the future that today’s increasingly white nationalist Texas GOP wants. We’re not cowering in the face of their extremism, though. TOP and our strategic statement partners remain dead set on utilizing every organizing and legal tool at our disposal to combat and put a stop to SB4. TOP also urges local elected and law enforcement officials to reject implementation of this racist law, while ensuring that the fundamental rights of EVERY Texan is protected — no matter our race, preferred language, or nation of origin.”

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About Texas Organizing Project:

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.