Groups come together to help eligible community members clear old charges
The Texas Organizing Project (TOP) held its first-ever Dallas expungement clinic Saturday, Sept.12, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, with nearly 250 people in attendance. A total of 87 eligible participants were seen by legal professionals during the clinic, giving many peace of mind knowing they will have old charges removed from their criminal record.
“This clinic was about more than clearing records, it was about clearing barriers,” said Dr. Doshie Piper, Restorative Justice Coordinator at TOP and the lead of the organization’s Right2Justice campaign centered on legal reform. “For eligible participants, we are investing in actually clearing those records and removing barriers to employment, housing, economic stability, and full participation in their communities. This is what Right2Justice looks like. This is what a path to liberation looks like.”
TOP allies Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), ACLU of Texas, CN Initiative provided helpful resources during the clinic, with Easy Expunctions conducting direct assessments with attendees who qualified to have their records cleared.
“Events like this show what is possible when legal support and community-based resources come together in one space,” said Brenda Piloya Todwong, Founder & CEO, CN Initiative. “For CN Initiative, it was especially meaningful to connect with people not only seeking resources, but also looking for ways to stay engaged, give back, and be a part of their community.”
Christopher Rivera, Criminal Legal Program Senior Advocacy Manager at TCRP, added: “The need for these services are apparent, and it’s organizations like TOP who are ensuring that our residents rights are being restored after they have served their time. The city and county need to step up and offer more records clearing clinics to help people get back on their feet.”
To learn more and get involved in TOP’s Right2Justice legal reform efforts, contact Dr. Doshie Piper at dpiper@organizetexas.org.
###