The following is a statement from Trent Breitung, Staff Union President of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on the organization’s observance of Labor Day this year:

“Like clockwork, Texas Republican electeds — including of course Gov. Greg Abbott — will take to social media today to wish their constituents a happy Labor Day, and all while supporting a law they designed to block local governments from enacting measures such as greater labor protections for everyday Texans.

“The cognitive dissonance is asinine, but completely on-brand for politicians who are terrified of working Texans, especially Black and Latino Texans, having access to such “outlandish perks,” like water breaks on the job, paid sick leave, and safeguards against eviction.

“Plain and simple, it’s OUR labor that drives this state forward each and every day — and no matter our age, race, place, gender, who you love, or who you pray to, we as Texans know our worth, and we are worth so much more than what these electeds who are undercutting workers’ rights would have us believe.

“A unionized workplace, TOP prides itself in showing solidarity with Black and Latino labor allies across the state and nation, as we collectively fight egregious policies attacking our communities and strive to ensure an equitable, dignified work environment for every person who calls this country home.”

Perla Garcia, TOP board member from Harris County, added:

“Despite what our governor and his GOP cronies tell us, Texans want legislation that will uplift the humanity of workers and allow them to earn a living wage, so that they can better provide for their families. We’re ready for it; we’re fighting for it.

“Workers’ rights — regardless of our nationality, faith, or color of our skin — are human rights, and under a true Texas For All that we one day will reach, these rights will be expanded and fully enshrined.”

###

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.

Fresh off their endorsement this week of Sheila Jackson Lee for Houston Mayor, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Harris County members have voted to endorse Tarsha Jackson for re-election to City Council Dist. B, Lloyd Ford for City Council Dist. D, and Dr. Letitia Plummer for re-election to City Council At-Large Position #4 in this November’s municipal election.

TOP board member Ray Brackens of Harris County:

“Tarsha Jackson – a driving force behind TOP’s Right2Justice campaign – has been a fighter her whole life, from advocating for her son’s needs that turned into systemic shifts in juvenile justice, to building coalitions around immigrants’ rights and reforms to the criminal legal system. Tarsha has taken her passion to city council and hasn’t stopped. From her time as a TOP community organizer to city council member for District B, Tarsha’s  journey has been truly inspiring. Since day one, she’s championed the needs of Black and Latino families in Texas. Whether it’s battling illegal dumping, pushing for flooding mitigation upgrades, or advocating for community-focused solutions, like the BeSuccessful initiative that connects residents to good jobs and resources to get a second chance, Tarsha delivers. We’re eager to see her continued impact on our neighborhoods.”

TOP county leadership team member Cecilia Fontenot of Harris County:

“Lloyd Ford understands the daily hardships of Black and Latino Houstonians because of his deeply held roots in District D. Passionate about racial and economic justice, Ford’s drive and vision make him a standout progressive for city council. He’s determined to challenge the status quo for our city’s hard-working residents and make a positive difference. With TOP backing him this election, we’re united in our mission to uplift every Houston community.”

TOP board member Perla Garcia of Harris County:

“Dr. Letitia Plummer on Houston City Council is a game-changer. From COVID relief to housing justice, she’s a relentless advocate for Black and Latino communities. Dr. Plummer isn’t simply talk, she’s digging deep to address core issues and championing progressive solutions. With her, no Houstonian is left behind. TOP is excited to join forces with Dr. Plummer, empowering our city’s hardworking residents and driving Houston forward.”

###

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 Out Dangerous Spread of Far-Right Ideology, Highlighting Urgent Need for Year-Round Community Engagement

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director, on reports this week of Kyle Rittenhouse’s increasing political activity in Texas:

“Kyle Rittenhouse’s establishment of ‘The Rittenhouse Foundation’ is a stark reminder of the growing danger of far-right ideology in our state and nation. This isn’t just about an individual; it’s emblematic of the broader extremist MAGA movement and the white nationalist violence it fomented on January 6. Texas, unsurprisingly, has become a hotbed for this far-right surge.

“The rise of far-right activity in our state is not just a shift in political dynamics; it’s a disturbing development that threatens the well-being of communities across Texas – Black and Latino communities especially. We’ve seen the dangers of unchecked power with Trump’s trajectory, as he continues to lead polls even while facing multiple indictments.

“It doesn’t surprise us one bit that Rittenhouse, a shameless grifter acquitted after killing two Black Lives Matter protesters, is now aligning himself with well-connected, far-right provocateurs in Texas. This ‘foundation,’ which claims to protect ‘human and civil rights’, is a thinly-veiled attempt to further an agenda rooted in white supremacy that directly undermines the rights of Black and Latino Texans. 

“The answer to these challenges lies in the heart of what TOP does: year-round community organizing. Our focus isn’t limited to election cycles; we engage Texans year-round on issues impacting their communities, while emphasizing the invaluable nature of their involvement, especially when our very right to vote is being threatened.

“TOP will continue to organize and mobilize communities across Texas to challenge these far-right narratives, and to pave the way for one day our state becoming a place of inclusivity, justice, and equity for all – regardless of race, place, or background.”

###

About Texas Organizing ProjectTOP 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 August 18, 2023.

The following statement is from Damaris Gonzalez, Statewide Immigration Lead Organizer of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in reaction to the Houston Chronicle reporting on Texas DPS officers abusing and showing callous disregard for asylum-seekers at our nation’s southern border:

“Gov. Abbott will stop at nothing to win over the GOP’s growing white nationalist wing.

“As cruel as he tries to be to outdo his flailing Florida counterpart, Abbott will soon find his own presidential prospects are much like his soul: bleak.

“The heinous details exposed in the Houston Chronicle’s reporting only confirm what we know to be true — that Abbott is a conniving extremist who views asylum-seekers as subhuman.

“This development is consistent with the depraved contempt he has recently shown toward our state’s migrant families and everyday working Texans.

“TOP joins human rights advocates across the nation in demanding the Biden administration put a stop to and investigate the atrocities Texas DPS are commiting along our border under Gov. Abbott’s direction.”

“All Texans — regardless of age, race, or place — deserve a governor who sees the full humanity in people seeking asylum, not one who cynically exploits and brutalizes them.”

###

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, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), reflecting on Independence Day this year:

“The irony of our nation’s most authoritarian politicians using July 4th to espouse independence and personal freedoms is not lost on us one bit.

“Whether enacting regressive policies, litigating in defense of them, or permitting them from a court bench, it’s these officials who are weaponizing government to clamp down on human rights and civil liberties – all with the purpose of sustaining white supremacy.

“Here in our state, the advancement of far-right fundamentalism being enabled by Gov. Abbott is endangering lives, especially those of Black, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ Texans.

“When our sheer existence is seen as a threat to those who are elected to serve us, and when those same electeds are codifying the erasure of our communities, calls to celebrate our freedoms on this day feel even more feigned.

“All who call this country home deserve justice and the ability to lead happy, full lives — no matter our age, race, gender, or income.

“Through continuous organizing, TOP and our movement allies are planting seeds to challenge the powers that be and transform our institutions to make this revolutionary change a reality.”

###

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.

This statement was sent out July 4, 2023.