The following is a statement from Michelle Tremillo, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Executive Director, on Governor Greg Abbott today announcing his plans to abruptly lift precautionary measures that are protecting Texans from the spread of COVID-19:
“Fresh off the mishandling of a massive statewide disaster that resulted in the deaths of dozens of Texans in the freezing cold, many of them Black and Latino, our governor now has the audacity to prematurely lift all COVID-19 safeguards, knowing this virus is disproportionately tearing apart the health of Black and Latino families.
“It’s these same Black and Latino families that endured the worst of Gov. Abbott’s incompetence during Winter Storm Uri, with many still struggling financially right now as a result.
“What Abbott is doing is not leadership. It’s arrogant, racist negligence that puts the needs of his wealthy corporate donors above the health of working-class Black and Latino Texans whose labor has sustained our state through this pandemic, and who in turn are more likely to fall victim to COVID-19.
“With our state continuing to rank near the bottom in vaccine distribution, our lives and the wellbeing of our communities are being used as political chips by a governor hellbent on throwing vulnerable Texans under the bus in order to cater to his already rich donors and look ‘powerful’ in the eyes of national far-right pundits.”
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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 statement was sent out 3/2/21.