Ramping up pressure to defeat bad bail bill HB 20

HB 20, a similar bill to horrible bail bill SB 21, will be heard by the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence this afternoon.

More than 60% of people in Texas jails – nearly 40,000 people – have not been convicted of an offense and are stuck there simply because they cannot afford bail. HB 20 will result in even more people held in jail pre-trial.  In addition, the bill would largely take away a judge’s discretion to release people on personal recognizance bond, and would require discriminatory risk assessment tools to be used for all who can not afford to purchase their release.

Share this Facebook graphic and call (512) 883-8959 to demand your state representative oppose HB 20!

For more information, call or text Laquita Garcia at (972) 342-5116.

Learn about state bills that will lift up our communities

The Texas Legislature is now in full swing, and the stakes are high for Black and Latino families.

Join us Thursday, March 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. for a virtual town hall on Facebook Live, where we will hear from some members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus who are introducing House and Senate bills on the critical issues of police reform, bail reform, second chances for people previously incarcerated, juvenile justice, and more.

During the livestream, you’ll also have a chance to learn more about our Justice Can’t Wait 2021 Legislative Platform.

RSVP on Facebook here and share the event.

For more information, call or text Koretta Brown at (713) 418-0251.

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Plug in to our Right2Justice meetings this week

Live in Bexar or Dallas counties and want to transform our legal system? Join our online campaign meetings this week!

During these meetings, we’ll share with you the progress of our justice reform efforts at the local level and strategize on our work for the months ahead, from fighting mass incarceration, to enacting bail reform, to ending police brutality.

Bexar County Right2Justice meeting
Tuesday, February 9, at 5 p.m.
Facebook event with more info
For more information, call or text Dan Stanford at (210) 765-8435.

Dallas County Right2Justice meeting
Thursday, February 11, at 6 p.m.
Facebook event with more info
For more information, call or text Carvell Bowens at (214) 934-8558.

TOP in the news

Raw Story: Democrats are ‘clearly poised’ for a Georgia-like victory in Texas: journalist

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Police accountability will officially be on the ballot in San Antonio

San Antonians have spoken and they’re calling for more police accountability in our communities. After months of petitioning across the city, the San Antonio City Clerk’s office last week verified that our ally Fix SAPD gathered the petition signatures needed to get the repeal of Texas Local Government Code Chapter 174 on the ballot for this May’s municipal election!

Because of the longtime existence of Texas Local Government Code Chapters 174 and 143, it’s nearly impossible to hold bad police officers and the institutions that enable them accountable for their actions.

That’s why TOP is supporting Fix SAPD in this effort, because to make true public safety a reality in our communities, we need to get rid of barriers that shield problematic police officers and their misconduct.

Now that the repeal of Chapter 174 will soon be on the ballot, JOIN US FOR A DIGITAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF this Thursday, February 11, at 6 p.m.

RSVP FOR THE LAUNCH PARTY HERE.

For more information, call or text Jasmine Estrada at (210) 542-2262.

TOP in the news

Raw Story: Democrats are ‘clearly poised’ for a Georgia-like victory in Texas: journalist

TOP is YOUR organization!

Your contribution drives our work and allows us to fight for our neighborhoods every day.

BECOME A MEMBER
PAY YOUR DUES
DONATE

“When is Juneteenth: Are we really free?” livestream this Saturday

TOP and Black Citizenship in Action this Saturday will present “When is Juneteenth: Are we really free?,” a safe space for Black people in Texas. This event will allow Black people from across the state to come together to discuss our citizenship identity in America.

At 11 a.m. Saturday on TOP’s Facebook page, we will broadcast a panel discussion covering past and current events impacting Black citizens and how we organize our communities moving forward.

Share the Facebook event here.

For more information, call or text Terrance “TK” Koontz at 832-998-1886.