The following is a statement from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on the community organizing group’s observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year:

“The contributions made by Indigenous peoples the world over are vast, invaluable, and forever woven into the fabric of our society.

“Audacious in every which way, Indigenous communities for centuries have withstood the destructive force of racial capitalism and white supremacy.

“Their unshakeable resistance against the genocidal tool of colonization serves as a stark reminder why our movement’s fight for the liberation of us all – no matter the color of our skin, the language we speak, or where we call home – is as vital as it is non-negotiable. 

“We know full well that Indigenous rights are human rights, and that our efforts to advance racial and economic justice for Black and Latino Texans will always be intertwined. It’s one reason why TOP now shares land acknowledgments in our organizing spaces.

“Each and every day, we are building solidarity across communities of color in our state, as TOP seeks to dismantle the systemic racism that for too long has held back Black, Latino, and Indigenous people, and instead manifest a #TXForAll vision rooted in freedom and justice.”  

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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 is a statement from Michelle Tremillo, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director, on the organization’s observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month this year:

“We can’t stand idly by at a time when morally bankrupt politicians are spewing vitriol and lies about migrants, particularly our Haitian Afro-Latino brothers and sisters, who are the latest target of Republican racist conspiracies intended to divide us. We show solidarity, speak out, and electorally send a strong message at the ballot box.

“Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month means acknowledging the full humanity of ALL who make up and elevate our Latino communities — no matter the color of our skin, the language we speak, or what country we call home. It also means recognizing the growing cultural and political impact we Latinos are having in Texas and across the United States.

“TOP vehemently rejects this bigotry being spread against migrants and is responding by ramping up our organizing rooted in racial and economic justice, while mobilizing Black and Latino Texas voters to participate in what will be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime.”

Andrea Osorio, TOP Education Fund Board Member, added:

“As a mother and proud Latina in Texas, I see firsthand the contributions our communities make, as working Latino families like mine are key to fueling the economic engine of our state. Yet, year after year, our increasingly-authoritarian state Republican leaders seek to diminish and divide us through hateful words and policy.

“Texans are worth more. And I am one of millions of Latinos in this state who is ready to build a future where housing is more affordable, healthcare is more accessible, public education is better supported, and our judicial system is more humane.

“At TOP, we choose to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by remaining committed to manifesting an inclusive vision that gets us closer to our collective liberation.”

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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.

Today, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) announced its endorsement of Colin Allred for U.S. Senate.

Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP Board Co-President based in San Antonio, offered the following statement:

“When MAGA extremists like Ted Cruz continue to push their vile agenda intended to divide, diminish, and dehumanize working Black and Latino Texans, TOP members and supporters just don’t sit on the sidelines. We mobilize, vote, and fight back.

“Building a stronger, more progressive, and inclusive Texas means electing responsive leaders who will fight for a future where ALL in our state can thrive — no matter what part of Texas you live, the language you speak, or how much money you have in our pocket.

“That’s why TOP is proud to endorse Colin Allred, an accomplished civil rights attorney and member of Congress, who has shown he’s committed to championing issues important to our communities — such as good-paying jobs, quality public schools, legal system reform, and the expansion of healthcare access.”

Julie Alonzo-Rivera, TOP Board Member based in Dallas, added:

“Since his election in 2012, working Texans have seen for themselves how out-of-touch Ted Cruz is with the needs of everyday people. He’s too busy being a Trump lackey, and will say and do anything to gain ‘respect’ in the eyes of the far-right fringe.

“Meanwhile, through his work in Congress and in the community, Colin has demonstrated he’s a listener, leader, and humble public servant who truly believes in a Texas for all. 

“Along with millions of others across the country, TOP is ready to turn the page on unhinged Donald Trump and his MAGA loyalist ‘Cancun Cruz.’ Texans can trust Colin Allred to defend our rights and improve our quality of life.”

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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 is a statement from Tempestt McHenry, Staff Union Co-President of Texas Organizing Project (TOP) located in Dallas County, on the organization’s observance of Labor Day this year:

“Make no mistake, it’s the ever-growing vibrancy of our labor movement that helps hold our country’s democracy together while driving its economic prosperity.

“This resurgence of organized labor we’re seeing is putting unprecedented pressure on wealthy mega-corporations and the political establishment to challenge racial capitalism and address equity and justice in ways they have not prior. It’s laying the groundwork for better wages, labor rights, worker protections, and a social safety net — which historically have provided many in our nation, particularly Black and Latino Americans, with an added sense of economic stability and security for generations.

“Now in TOP’s third year as a unionized workplace, we as an organization recognize unapologetically that workers’ rights are human rights. This assertion has and will continue to connect right to the soul of our year-round community organizing and electoral engagement work.”

Shyda Blake, TOP Staff Union Co-President based in Harris County, added:

“As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously stated, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

“At a volatile political time, when implementation of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 is not a distant possibility, we as workers will not have our voices silenced while our fundamental rights are stripped away.

“The millions of Black and Latino Texas workers who proudly reside in this state have the opportunity to flex the collective power required to create a future where ALL Texans can live free and thrive — regardless of our race, faith, gender, or preferred language. THAT is a future we are fighting for, because as proud workers, we are stronger together.”

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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.

As we celebrate PRIDE Month, the Texas Organizing Project stands in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community, especially our Black and Latino, and non-binary brothers and sisters. This month is a time to honor the resilience, strength, and courage of those who have fought — and continue to fight — for justice and collective liberation. It is also a reminder of the work that remains to be done in our home state of Texas.

The following is a statement by Brianna Brown, Co-Executive director of the Texas Organizing Project. “For years now, conservatives have tried to erase the legacy and contributions that LGBTQIA+ people have made in this nation. Texas is not the first state to attempt to cancel, erase, and reduce our vibrant presence. Greg Abbott’s and Ken Paxton’s continuous attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, especially those targeting our trans community, are deeply troubling. These actions not only undermine the fundamental rights of people to live authentically and freely, but they also perpetuate a state of fear and allow room for discrimination.

“While PRIDE is a celebration of pursued liberation and progress, for Black and Latino queer people, the interwovenness of the two also illuminates the beauty and reality of their interconnected identities and continued marginalization.

“As we confront increasing white supremacy, over-policing, attacks on our freedoms, and attempts to erase our existence from this nation’s fabric. We believe that a better Texas is on the horizon, though — one where all Texans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender identity, can thrive.

“During this PRIDE Month, let us amplify the voices of our Black and Latino LGBTQIA+ community members, ensuring their experiences and contributions are recognized and valued. Stronger together, we’re building a Texas for all.”

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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 former President Donald Trump being found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his New York hush money trial:

“Justice is finally catching up to Donald Trump.

“He can whine and gaslight the public all he wants, but the fact remains that Trump – a coup-plotting, twice-impeached racist who’s racked up four criminal indictments – has rightfully been found guilty on 34 felony counts by a jury of his peers.

“Meanwhile, here in Texas, MAGA loyalists Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick, Ken Paxton, and Ted Cruz, are taking to social media to deflect and provide political cover for a con man who attempted to overturn an election and who incited a horde of white supremacists to storm the U.S. Capitol.

“No matter what we look like or where we come from, each and every one of us deserves elected leaders who will defend our democracy and fairly govern with integrity. Any official who lies to the American people, stokes violence and division, and refuses to take responsibility for the harm they cause is unfit to represent us. 

“While Trump’s self-inflicted legal woes continue, TOP will be in Black and Latino neighborhoods across Texas this fall, engaging with voters at their doorstep and countering his white nationalist MAGA agenda with a bold, transformative #TexasForAll vision where progressive, people-powered candidates uphold our rights and freedoms.”

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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.

DALLAS – The Texas Organizing Project (TOP) strongly condemns the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) annual meeting in Dallas this weekend and former President Donald Trump’s extremist agenda that continues to fuel division and violence across the United States. TOP stands in solidarity with those advocating for comprehensive gun safety measures to address the urgent crisis of gun violence in our communities.

The NRA’s influence and rhetoric have long perpetuated a culture of fear and division, epitomized by their support of Donald Trump, who received more than $30 million from the NRA during his 2016 campaign. Under Trump’s leadership, the NRA intensified its fear-mongering and divisive rhetoric, casting Trump’s opponents in apocalyptic terms and inciting distrust and animosity. 

As the NRA gathers in Dallas, TOP highlights the stark contrast between the NRA’s agenda and the urgent need for gun safety reforms. The NRA’s influence has directly opposed measures that could prevent tragedies like the El Paso shooting, where a white supremacist targeted a predominantly Latino community, killing 22 people and injuring 24 others. This monstrous act, driven by racial hatred, underscores the profound impact of white supremacy and the pressing need for comprehensive gun control measures.

“Hosting the NRA’s annual meeting in Dallas is a painful reminder of the countless lives lost to gun violence and the NRA’s role in blocking basic safety measures,” said OEshay Hutchinson, a  community organizer with TOP’s Right2Justice campaign in Dallas County. “Donald Trump’s extremist agenda and the NRA’s relentless opposition to gun legislation prioritize profit over people, further endangering our communities.”

The NRA’s convention coincides with the anniversaries of the Santa Fe High School shooting and Uvalde tragedy in our state, where dozens of lives were horrifically cut short. These anniversaries serve as somber reminders of the urgent need for action. 

“We stand with the families affected by gun violence and demand meaningful change NOW!” Hutchinson continued. “The NRA and Trump’s words only serve to deepen the divide in our country and incite violence. But as Texans, we know we are stronger together! It’s time to put the safety and well-being of our communities ahead of the interests of the gun lobby. Let’s continue to build power and elect progressive community champions to every level of government. ALL Texans – regardless of our race, income, or ZIP Code – deserve to live in an environment free from the threat of gun violence.”

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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.

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.