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TOP statement on latest DACA court ruling

September 14, 2023

The following statement is from Damaris Gonzalez, Statewide Immigration Lead Organizer of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in reaction to U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen once again ruling against the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“Conservative judges like Andrew Hanen can keep issuing awful rulings, but the truth is no legal challenge will ever break our movement for liberation.

“No person — regardless of race, documentation status, or nationality — should have to endure this legal limbo, where our basic humanity is called into question with every lawsuit rooted in white supremacy that Republicans file against DACA.

“Each passing day of congressional inaction on passing permanent protections for DACA recipients is an insult to migrant families that contribute to and move this country forward.

“We demand the Biden administration now urge leaders in the U.S. House and Senate to prioritize a pathway to citizenship for not only DACA recipients, but for the 11 million migrants who fuel our country and who for years have been living in fear of deportation. Every legal option must be exhausted to ensure that Dreamers such as myself have the freedom to thrive in this country that we call home.”

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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.

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TOP Calls For Paxton​ Accountability As Impeachment Trial Set To Begin

September 4, 2023

Former Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has proven himself unfit for leadership time and time again. During his tenure, Paxton abused the power of this office, using his role to service wealthy donors and a far-right agenda. A Trump and MAGA acolyte, who participated at the January 6th rally ahead of the insurrection at the Capitol, he has also been under indictment for securities fraud since 2015. The following is a joint statement from Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Directors, Brianna Brown and Michelle Tremillo, on the start of Paxton’s impeachment trial:

Brianna Brown, TOP Co-Executive Director, said, “Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial is not just a reckoning for one man’s corruption; it’s a referendum on an Attorney General who has consistently made life harder for many Texans, particularly Black and Latino communities. From voter suppression to leading the effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, his record is a laundry list of policies that harm the most vulnerable Texans. And let’s not forget Paxton’s audacious attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, another glaring example of his willingness to undermine democracy for political gain. Paxton’s behavior is a betrayal of Texans’ trust and an affront to the principles of justice and fairness that should guide any Attorney General.”

Michelle Tremillo, TOP Co-Executive Director, emphasized, “Unlike Paxton, Texas deserves an Attorney General who actively champions voter engagement and defends democracy. Our communities want an Attorney General who fights voter suppression under the Americans with Disabilities Act and protects constitutional rights by scrutinizing counties that criminalize voting. It’s time for an Attorney General who serves the interests of all Texans and expands access to the ballot box.”

The Paxton impeachment trial is an essential step in restoring Texans’ faith in democratic institutions and ensuring that future elected officials know that if they exploit their powerful positions for personal gain, there will be consequences. 

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About Texas Organizing Project

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. 

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TOP Celebrates Historic Win for New Mothers in Texas: A Full Year of Medicaid Coverage

August 31, 2023

Solid Start Towards Equitable Healthcare, but the Fight for Full Medicaid Expansion in Texas Continues

Texas Organizing Project (TOP) is proud to have played a role in securing a healthcare legislative victory for Texas families. Starting tomorrow, September 1, 2023, new mothers will benefit from extended Medicaid coverage for a full year after childbirth. This policy change marks a huge step forward in the fight for equitable healthcare access in Texas, particularly for Black mothers who have been hit hardest by the maternal health crisis. 

TOP Board Member Dr. Doshie Piper shared, “Extending Medicaid coverage for a full year postpartum will save lives and improve health outcomes for both mothers and their children. TOP, along with its members and allies, has been at the forefront of this fight, and we are thrilled to see our hard organizing work translate into meaningful policy change.” 

Dr. Piper continued, “The significance of this policy change is especially impactful for Black mothers, who face a maternal mortality rate in Texas that is twice as high as that of white women. The root causes of this crisis are deeply entrenched in systemic inequalities, including racial bias in healthcare and inadequate access to culturally competent care providers.”

TOP SW Healthcare Organizer Ivory Howard added, “Every Texan deserves access to affordable healthcare—regardless of age, race, gender, or income level. Together, we need to continue to push for Texas to expand Medicaid and dismantle the barriers that perpetuate these health disparities.” 

TOP Co-Executive Director Brianna Brown emphasized that, “We’re proud of this Medicaid policy win but there is still a long road ahead of us to transform Texas into a state where the health of all its communities, particularly Black and Latino neighborhoods, is paramount. 

This legislation comes at a pivotal moment with the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency ending, which has already resulted in half a million Texans being kicked off Medicaid coverage. Previously, Medicaid benefits were limited to just 60 days postpartum. This extension aims to prevent maternal deaths and address health issues identified during pregnancy, especially crucial given that Medicaid covers nearly half of all births in Texas.

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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.

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TOP Celebrates Historic HB 12 Win: Paving Way for Postpartum Medicaid Extension in Texas

June 20, 2023

The Fight Continues For Equitable Healthcare and Full Medicaid Expansion

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director on HB 12 being signed into law today: 

“TOP is proud to have been a champion for HB 12, a bill extending Medicaid health coverage for mothers up to a year after childbirth. This crucial legislation, fought for tirelessly by countless Texans, will positively affect all mothers across the state, particularly Black women. The passage of HB 12 is a testament to our collective organizing power, however the fight for healthcare justice in Texas is far from over.

“Black mothers face pregnancy-related complications at over triple the rate of their white counterparts, a health disparity that HB 12 aims to mitigate. While the bill is a significant achievement, the battle for a more equitable healthcare system, especially for Black and Latino communities, continues. 

“This recent legislative session further highlighted the existing critical gaps in Texas healthcare policy. It’s shameful our legislature again failed to pass or even hold a hearing on Medicaid expansion, leaving an estimated 1.4 million uninsured low-income Texans, primarily Black and Latino, without vital healthcare access.

“TOP believes healthcare is a human right, and is committed to continuing to fight for just healthcare access, full implementation of HB 12, and holding state leaders accountable for their failure to expand Medicaid. The journey toward healthcare justice remains a priority for TOP, and our goal remains clear ― a Texas where all people, regardless of their race, background, or income, have access to the healthcare they need and deserve.”

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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 was sent out June 16, 2023.

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TOP statement on Gov. Abbott signing HB 17 into law

June 8, 2023

The following statement is from Laquita Garcia, Statewide Right2Justice Policy Coordinator of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in response to Gov. Greg Abbott signing into law House Bill 17 today, which strips away prosecutorial discretion from Texas district attorneys:

“HB 17 is a solution in search of a problem motivated by MAGA extremism. It’s vile legislation at its core, threatening the removal of democratically-elected officials who dare to reform our justice system or stand up for voting rights and reproductive freedom in our state. 

“Duly elected prosecuting attorneys should not have to fear being targeted for choosing which cases they will prioritize, simply because it does not align with our state elected officials’ political agendas. Voters elect district and county attorneys to use their discretion under state law. This law fits right in with Texas Republicans’ latest fixation on attacking local control, which in turn is our state government intruding on our fundamental rights. 

“We as Texans know our worth, and no matter who we are or where we live, we deserve elected leaders who look out for our personal freedoms and don’t try to dictate how communities should govern themselves.” 

Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton added:

“HB 17 will likely be challenged in court as a violation of free speech, separation of powers, and long-standing legal precedent that established the foundation for prosecutorial discretion. 

“Prosecutorial discretion is necessary for the proper administration of justice. Texas law expressly provides, “It shall be the primary duty of all prosecuting attorneys, including any special prosecutors, not to convict, but to see that justice is done.” 

“Further, HB 17 may have an unintended consequence. Some prosecutors may charge defendants with trivial offenses, offenses that they would not otherwise feel justified in pursuing, simply to avoid being the subject of a removal petition. Restricting prosecutorial discretion could result in greater cost to taxpayers due to increased prosecution of petty offenses without any increase in public safety. The ultimate goal of all prosecutors is to increase public safety and reduce harm in our communities. This is achieved by enforcing the law while utilizing best practices and evidence-based prosecution.”

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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 June 7, 2023.

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TOP on migrant deaths: “It’s an injustice, and a searing indictment of our discriminatory immigration system”

August 9, 2022

The following statement is from Jessica Azua, Immigration Justice Director with Texas Organizing Project (TOP) in response to the death of 53 migrants found in a sweltering, abandoned semi-truck trailer Monday:

“Immense sadness and frustration do not even begin to describe how I am feeling in reaction to this tragedy. In that semi-truck trailer were fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters – all with hopes and dreams. 

“State and federal lawmakers can point fingers all they want, but the truth is this: Decades of failed, inhumane immigration policies – from Title 42 to Gov. Abbott’s Operation Lone Star – contributed to what is now being recognized as our country’s deadliest human smuggling incident on record. 

“It is these policies, classist and rooted in white supremacy, that radically restrict entry to this country, forcing migrants faced with desperation to take dangerous paths to come to the U.S., all in search of safety and a better life.

“At the absolute least, the Biden administration must grant humanitarian parole for the victims’ families, and provide survivors of this traumatizing event with T visas.

“What occurred is not just a horrifying mass death. It’s an injustice, and a searing indictment of our discriminatory immigration system.”  

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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 29, 2022.

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

June 24, 2022

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.

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Securing a Houston housing justice organizing win

June 11, 2022

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.

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Winning Enhanced Library Cards for Harris County

April 6, 2022

An ID for the people, by the people

It’s official. After months of organizing with Houston Leads partners, Harris County will now offer residents new enhanced library cards! TOP and allies held a press conference Tuesday, April 5, 2022 celebrating the launch of this new enhanced library card program. Not having a form of photo ID presents challenges for vulnerable communities across Harris County, especially for those who are experiencing homelessness, the formerly incarcerated, domestic abuse survivors who have lost their documentation, and those without the ability to access a state ID.

This is a TOP home-grown campaign win, started by TOP immigration justice campaign members who identified this ID as an opportunity to fill a community need.

The enhanced library cards will include a photo, name, date of birth, and address for the recipient, providing Harris County residents who lack access to a form of identification with a basic form of alternative, non-traditional photo ID. Learn more about the new cards here.

Notable news coverage:

Houston Chronicle: Advocates tout ‘enhanced’ Harris County library cards, urge authorities to accept them as ID

ABC 13: Enhanced library cards designed to help Harris County residents with no photo ID

For more information about this campaign win and TOP’s immigration justice campaign efforts in Harris County, email Damaris Gonzalez at dgonzalez@organizetexas.org

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TOP statement on Border Patrol agents brutally attacking Haitian asylum-seekers

September 23, 2021

The following statement is from Deyonne Primo, a Texas Organizing Project (TOP) member and immigrant from Guyana, in response to U.S. Border Patrol agents physically beating Haitians seeking asylum Monday:

“The U.S. government yesterday committed state violence against asylum-seekers in broad daylight.

“The usage of slave-era tactics to dehumanize Haitian refugees is just the latest disturbing escalation in our nation’s criminalization of migrants and those seeking asylum. 

“What we witnessed further shines a light on the everyday injustices our current immigration system, classist in structure and rooted in white supremacy, inflicts on those who are escaping dire conditions to seek a better life for themselves and their family. By building solidarity through connecting the lived experiences of Black and Latino migrants, TOP’s immigration justice campaign for now a decade has fought to transform this oppressive system from the inside out with progressive, humane policies.

“Having endured this summer the compounding tragedies of a presidential assassination, a massive earthquake claiming more than 2,000 lives, and a tropical storm causing widespread flooding, the Haitians settled along our southern border are refugees who must have their right to seek asylum fully honored.

“The Biden administration, namely DHS Secretary Mayorkas, must answer for this appalling display and be held accountable for the cruelty that transpired. Additionally, Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez, who represents Del Rio, needs to recognize that increased militarization of our border will only lead to more suffering and make matters worse.

“In response to this humanitarian crisis, we are calling on our supporters to sign this petition demanding President Biden stop deportations of Haitian asylum-seekers. We also encourage donations to Haitian Bridge Alliance, an advocacy group working on the ground in Del Rio to help provide direct relief for these asylum-seekers at this pivotal time.”

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Texas Organizing Project organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris and Bexar 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 September 21, 2021.