Following a thorough process of written questionnaires and interviews, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) members of Bexar County have voted to endorse Jalen McKee-Rodriguez for re-election to San Antonio City Council District 2, and Teri Castillo for re-election to San Antonio City Council District 5. TOP members also voted to endorse Proposition A, the San Antonio Justice Charter.

TOP Board President Dr. Doshie Piper of Bexar County:

“The first openly gay Black man to be elected to any office in Texas, Jalen McKee-Rodriguez has worked to improve quality of life for every resident of District 2 — no matter age, race, or background. Jalen’s community engagement efforts have been undeniable as he has been an active force for good while on City Council, championing pandemic relief, neighborhood infrastructure investments, as well as housing and policing reforms. He’s looking out for everyday working San Antonians, and just as in 2021, TOP is proud to be in his corner this election.

TOP Bexar County Leadership Team member Jade Pacheco:

“From her time as a housing organizer to now, Teri Castillo has made clear she is committed to lifting up working San Antonio families and creating a better city where every person can grow and thrive. More importantly, she has shown a commitment to equity in issues that impact our lives and those of our neighbors, ranging from tenants’ rights, to healthcare, to climate change, to local law enforcement. In her first term, Teri has proven to be a progressive fighter, and as TOP we are excited to get out the vote for her once again so she can continue to get results for District 5.”

TOP Board Member Kevin LeMelle of Bexar County:

“Through the San Antonio Justice Charter, we have an opportunity to vote for a brighter future for the entire city — especially for Black and Latino residents. This package of common sense reforms will decrease unnecessary arrests, reduce racial profiling in policing, conserve city resources, make our communities safer, and save lives once passed at the ballot box. Every San Antonian deserves to feel safe and have their dignity upheld. This citywide proposition gets us closer to that.”

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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 press release was sent out March 24, 2023.

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project, in reaction to bodycam footage made public Friday of five Black Memphis police officers violently beating Tyre Nichols on the streets of his neighborhood, ultimately leading to his death: 

“These gruesome, sinister acts captured on video and released to the public once again confirm to Black people across the country what we already know to be true: that law enforcement dehumanizes us.

“The sheer brutality inflicted on Tyre Nichols further shows how the violent legacy of white supremacy is still at the foundation of policing institutions in the United States today, no matter the race or ethnicity of officers. As report after report continues to show, Black people are still killed by police at a higher rate than other groups.

“One does not have to subject themself to watching trauma-inducing footage of Black death to fully understand the magnitude of the atrocity committed by Memphis police.

“Only yards away from the safety of his home, it was a reprehensible abuse of power of the badge that ended Tyre’s life. There is no justification whatsoever for the inhumanity unleashed on him.

“With raised fists, our hearts are with the Nichols family during this emotionally jarring time. We demand these officers be held to nothing short of full accountability for their vile actions. Eliminating police brutality is only possible through a complete, community-driven overhaul and reimagining of policing itself ― a fight TOP continues to be fully committed to.”

Synnachia McQueen, a TOP Right2Justice campaign member in Harris County, added: 

“Pepper-sprayed, tased, and horrifically beaten, Tyre Nichol’s murder is indicative of a legal system that for centuries has devalued and dehumanized Black lives at each turn.

“Every person ― regardless of where they come from, what they look like, or where they live ― is deserving of having their basic rights respected and dignity upheld.

“To be clear, a beloved son and father is no longer with us because five Memphis police officers ruthlessly violated Tyre’s rights and dignity AND because their actions are rooted in the history of white supremacy in this country. The officers and the system must be held to account.”

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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 January 28, 2023.

The following statement is from Michelle Tremillo, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in response to the two-year mark of former President Donald Trump inciting white supremacist supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn a national election and overthrow the federal government:

“Our nation’s democracy is still as fragile as ever now two years after the white nationalist violence that transpired at our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021.

“The findings of the House Select Committee on January 6 over the course of the last year were invaluable, as they exposed just how entrenched and complicit Donald Trump and far-right figures were in an elaborate plot to cling to power by reversing an entire presidential election.

“A handful of these same far-right 2020 election deniers and insurrectionist sympathizers are still wielding power as government officials and are dead set on dismantling democratic processes, weaponizing the rule of law to attack Black and Latino communities, and stifling opposition to their extremist agenda.

“We are seeing them in action right now in the halls of Congress, as they seek to extract as many concessions as they can in the House speaker’s race, with one of their main goals being to gaslight Americans about what took place on January 6, and to seek vengeance on those who spoke up to tell the truth.

“No matter our age, race, or political leanings, all in our country deserve representation from elected leaders who want to preserve our democracy, not destroy it. TOP will not stand idly by as far-right politicians try to minimize the clear-cut white supremacy we as a nation witnessed on January 6.

“We also will never forget our state’s GOP elected officials who purposely cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.”

Ken Paxton (Texas Attorney General)Ted Cruz (U.S. Senator)Keith Self (Texas’ 3rd Congressional District)Pat Fallon (Texas’ 4th Congressional District)Lance Gooden (Texas’ 5th Congressional District)Morgan Luttrell (Texas’ 8th Congressional District)August Pfluger (Texas’ 11th Congressional District)Ronny Jackson (Texas’ 13th Congressional District)Randy Weber (Texas’ 14th Congressional District)Monica De La Cruz (Texas’ 15th Congressional District)

Pete Sessions (Texas’ 17th Congressional District)Jodey C. Arrington (Texas’ 19th Congressional District)Troy E. Nehls (Texas’ 22nd Congressional District)Beth Van Duyne (Texas’ 24th Congressional District)Roger Wiliams (Texas’ 25th Congressional District)Michael C. Burgess (Texas’ 26th Congressional District)Michael Cloud (Texas’ 27th Congressional District)John Carter (Texas’ 31st Congressional District)Brian Babin (Texas’ 36th Congressional District)

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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 January 6, 2023.

The following statement is from Terrance “TK” Koontz of BlackTOP, in response to WNBA star and activist Brittney Griner being freed from a Russian penal colony and returned home to the U.S.

“The scale of our work as organizers is freedom. Just like Harriet, Fannie Lou, and Dr. King before us, Brittany coming home is plotted on that freedom scale. After being unjustly locked up and dehumanized for months, a daughter of our state is on her way back to her home. It’s not lost on us how the intersection of her identities as a Black, queer woman makes it impossible for some to see the value for her life.

“BlackTOP stands in solidarity with Black people all across the country who called attention to this and organized around the disgusting treatment of Brittney at the hands of Russian authorities, and we commend the Biden administration for following through on securing her release.”

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BlackTOP was built on the premise that the future of Texas rests in organizing Black folks across the state and getting US to the polls. With offices in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, BlackTOP launched canvassing programs across multiple Texas counties to talk to, organize, and mobilize Black voters ahead of the 2022 election. For more information, visit blacktoptexas.org.

This statement was sent out December 8, 2022.

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director, in response to former President Donald Trump formally announcing his run for the presidency in 2024:

“The sheer fact that Donald J. Trump, an egotistical con man who attempted to overturn an election and incited a horde of white supremacists to storm the U.S. Capitol, has the gall to announce a run for a second presidential term speaks volumes about the fragile state of our democracy, as well as how the wealthy and powerful in our country can unjustly evade accountability for their heinous wrongdoings.

“Trump is an abomination who deserves retribution, not another shot at the presidency. He is not only the embodiment of corruption, he is the poster child of white nationalism in our country today, and is being propped up by far-right election deniers, like Texas’ own criminally-indicted attorney general Ken Paxton. 

“TOP will also continue to shine a light on the 18 current Texas-serving elected officials – including Paxton – who fully deny the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. 

“Just as we did during the 2020 election cycle, our Black and Latino communities are more than ready to show up to the polls again in historic numbers to stop Trump and all that he represents in 2024, should Republicans dare nominate him.”

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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 November 16, 2022.

Texas Organizing Project (TOP) PAC is proud to have played a major role in supporting Lina Hidalgo’s successful re-election campaign for Harris County Judge. This election cycle, TOP PAC’s door-knocking canvassing program engaged with 349,966 voters to help re-elect Judge Hidalgo, the majority of which were infrequent Black and Latino voters. 

TOP PAC also released a digital ad buy highlighting Hidalgo’s successful record as county judge.

The following statement is from Michelle Tremillo, TOP Co-Executive Director: 

“For the past 12 years, TOP has co-led the movement to expand the electorate in Harris County by engaging with Black and Latino voters and connecting voting to everyday issues that impact their lives. Simply put, TOP has worked year-round for over a decade to engage and mobilize voters of color to shift Texas’ political landscape.

“TOP PAC was proud to endorse Lina Hidalgo again, so that she could continue building on the progressive success of her first historic term as Harris County Judge. Over the course of her career, she has consistently prioritized and fought for the wellbeing of all Harris County families by focusing on equity in Black and Latino communities. She kept residents safe during the pandemic and throughout natural disasters including freezes and floods. TOP looks forward to Judge Hidalgo continuing to lift up working families in Harris County by expanding access to affordable healthcare, defending our personal freedoms, and enacting effective, humane legal reforms that protect our rights and keep our communities safe.  

TOP board member Ray Brackens of Harris County added:

“Today, we’re reaping the rewards of the tireless work of TOP staff, members, supporters, and most importantly the Harris County community. But TOP’s work is far from finished. Tomorrow, we keep pressing forward. We won’t rest until our state’s policies and elected officials truly embody a Texas that works for all.”

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Texas Organizing Project PAC runs the largest, independent Get-out-the-Vote political field programs in Texas, focusing on expanding the electorate of color, with an emphasis on turning out Black and Latino voters. To date, TOP PAC has mobilized hundreds of thousands of voters across the state with the aim of building a reflective democracy–one that looks like us and shares our values. Learn more at toppac.org.

This statement was sent out November 10, 2022.

The following statement is from Michelle Tremillo, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP) PAC, in response to Republican Harris County Commissioners Tom Ramsey (Pct. 3) and Jack Cagle (Pct. 4) once again failing to appear at commissioners court Tuesday, preventing a tax rate from being passed and causing millions to be cut from Harris County’s budget.

“Republican Harris County Commissioners Ramsey and Cagle’s failure to show up and pass a tax rate is a slap in the face to the more than 4.8 million people who call Harris County home.

“By putting partisan politics ahead of public service, Ramsey and Cagle have now stripped away millions of dollars dedicated to public safety, public health, and infrastructure in Harris County’s budget.

“The fact they are now patting themselves on the back for slashing funding for law enforcement, flood control, and the county’s health system shows us how their stunt was always about political posturing, not about putting working families first.

“If Commissioners Ramsey and Cagle won’t do the job they were elected to do, then Harris County voters will elect actual leaders to replace them who will.”

Ray Brackens, TOP Board Member and Harris County resident:

“As a Harris County resident and taxpayer, the selfish actions of Commissioners Ramsey and Cagle have me livid. 

“Out of pure spite, these despicable men chose to endanger the wellbeing of everyday working Harris County residents who rely on county services, as well as the thousands of people employed by the county to administer those services.

“That is how much contempt Ramsey and Cagle have for their own constituents.”

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Texas Organizing Project PAC runs the largest, independent Get-out-the-Vote political field programs in Texas, focusing on expanding the electorate of color, with an emphasis on turning out Black and Latino voters. To date, TOP PAC has mobilized hundreds of thousands of voters across the state with the aim of building a reflective democracy–one that looks like us and shares our values.

This statement was sent out October 26, 2022.

The two Republican Harris County Commissioners, Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey, have refused to attend county meetings for over a month. Under current Texas law, county governments require a super quorum of four members present in order to vote on tax or budget issues, effectively giving any two members a veto if they choose not to show up. 

This political stunt has severe consequences for Harris County residents that affect everything from accessing healthcare in a timely manner, protecting their homes from severe weather (such as floods), providing access to libraries, and keeping outdoor spaces clean and safe for all. 

The following is a statement from Michelle Tremillo, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director, calling on Commissioners Cagle and Ramsey to do their jobs:

“Enough is enough, Commissioners Cagle and Ramsey. Stop the political games with Harris County residents’ lives, and show up to commissioner’s court tomorrow and do your job. Your absence and refusal to pass a tax rate is putting all county programs and services at risk of insufficient funding for people who are already struggling with higher prices. Tuesday’s meeting is Harris County’s last chance to pass a tax rate before reverting to an austere budget. We’re calling on Commissioners Cagle and Ramsey to step up and work to help improve our community, not make it suffer over partisanship.” 

Mattie Jackson, TOP Harris County Community Leader, echoed Tremillo’s calls for action: 

“Harris County residents, myself included, deserve officials who show up to work and do the job they were elected to do. It is unconscionable that our literal health – including potential delays in lifesaving screenings like colonoscopies and other screenings – is being put on the line by partisan games. Commissioners Cage and Ramsey, show up and pass a tax rate – now.”

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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 October 24, 2022.

The following is a statement from Michelle Tremillo, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on a study released this week showing the alarming impact that Texas voter restriction laws are having on people trying to vote by mail this election:

“Texas Republicans’ new laws restricting voting by mail in our state are nothing more than the brazen disenfranchisement of communities of color, with voters of color being 50 percent more likely than white voters to have their ballots rejected.

“A new study from the Brennan Center states that while the ballot/application rejection rate for Black voters was at 17 percent, and Latino voters at 16 percent, the rejection rate for white voters was less than 12 percent. For ballots only, Latino voters were rejected at nearly 15 percent, and Black voters at almost 14 percent; in contrast, the ballot rejection rate for white voters was a mere 9 percent.

“These disparities aren’t coincidental; this is clear-cut voter suppression. The far-right knows they can only win elections when they suppress our vote, and TOP is as committed as ever to mobilizing Black and Latino voters to make our voices heard at the ballot box each and every election cycle. ” 

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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 October 21, 2022.

The following statement is from Jessica Azua, Immigration Justice Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in response to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals today issuing a ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, sending the case back to a lower court.

“Since DACA’s inception a decade ago, far-right politicians have launched attack after attack against not just the program, but the basic humanity of recipients themselves.

“Texas has the second-largest population of people in the DACA program in the U.S., but all Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are focused on is villainizing migrant families any chance they get instead of working on policy solutions to uplift immigrant communities. Abbott and Paxton are leading this charge because in the eyes of today’s GOP, the cruelty is the point. Texas Organizing Project will never back down and allow extremists to strip Dreamers of their humanity and right to thrive in this country we call home.

“The fact that Republicans are applauding this partisan court ruling that keeps the well-being of hundreds of thousands of people in jeopardy tells you all you need to know about their malicious intent with their lawsuit.

“This court ruling only makes clearer the urgent need for members of Congress to act to pass a permanent legislative solution that will allow their constituents to fully contribute to our country and live free without the threat of deportation.”

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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 October 5, 2022.