Texas Civil Rights Project

Early Bird Prices for El Paso Fiesta Fronteriza

Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project announces our Fourth Annual Fiesta Fronteriza Remembering Our Roots, Building Our Future El Paso Community College Administrative Services Building 9050 Viscount El Paso, Texas 79925 Friday, May 7, 2010 11:30 am - 1:30 pm In order to thank our loyal supporters we are offering discounted registration prices for a limited time. Register on our secure site and reserve your table now! Sponsorship opportunities (RSVP by May 1st to qualify for current prices!) Civil Rights Champion $1000 Table for ten, half-page ad in program, recognition on promotional materials and at event, 2 raffle tickets Civil Rights Advocate $750 Table for ten, quarter-page ad in program, recognition on promotional materials and at ...

Texas officials agree to destroy babies’ blood samples after settling lawsuit

Jay Root, The Associated Press AUSTIN -- Texas health authorities will destroy more than 5 million blood samples taken from babies without parental consent and stored indefinitely for scientific research. The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Tuesday it would destroy the samples after settling a federal lawsuit filed by the Texas Civil Rights Project. The project, acting on behalf of five plaintiffs, had sued the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas A&M University System. The lawsuit alleged that the state's failure to ask parents for permission to store and possibly use the blood -- originally collected to screen ...

El Paso Woman Files Lawsuit to Recover Wages, Stop Retaliation

Gabriela Barraza (far left) speaks about her case (click here to view press conference video) El Paso, TX -- Gabriela Barraza, a local El Pasoan represented by Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project, filed a complaint in state court to recover unpaid wages and other damages from local couple John and Lupe Garcia. Ms. Barraza worked for the Garcias from September 2008 to February 2009. During this time, she cleaned their house, did their laundry, took care of their children, and cooked dinner for them, among other responsibilities. For over five months, she was at their house Monday through Friday without fail. Despite her ...

Program News

Texas officials agree to destroy babies’ blood samples after settling lawsuit

Jay Root, The Associated Press AUSTIN — Texas health authorities will destroy more than 5 million blood samples taken from babies without parental consent and stored indefinitely for scientific research. The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Tuesday it would destroy the samples after settling a federal lawsuit filed by the Texas... Read More »

Austin Police declare compliance with federal recommendations

Police chief says department has adopted all but a handful of suggestions from Justice Department. By Tony Plohetski AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo announced Monday that the department has made dozens of reforms in the past year to comply with federal recommendations for the agency, including how officials review use-of-force... Read More »

Spreading the gospel of the 2010 census

By: Karina Kling Stand up and be counted — right along with Mary and Joseph. There’s a push to promote participation in the 2010 census using the gospel, and it’s causing some controversy among religious organizations. But some say the message could make all the difference in future representation. As Christians across the country... Read More »

Civil Rights Project: History Needs Your Help!

By Ouisa D. Davis Attorney at Law On the “legal-aid landscape” of El Paso, an oasis for the voiceless is housed at 1317 Rio Grande. The Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project, a subsidiary agency of the Texas Civil Rights Project, is El Paso’s own voice speaking out for the most vulnerable in our midst – those whose civil rights... Read More »

TCRP VAWA: Serving more than 1,000 Victims of Domestic Abuse in FY 2009

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Program is comprised of six staff members — four out of Austin and two out of El Paso — who help immigrant survivors of domestic violence apply for immigration status in this country. In addition to the OAG program, we offer VAWA services from our San Juan... Read More »

El Paso Human Rights Groups Gather in National Day of Action to Stop Wage Theft and Retaliation

Human rights organizations and local community members gathered to take action against wage theft, a national crime wave that takes billions of dollars out of the pockets of workers every year, according to Ray Rojas, Executive Director of Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center. Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project, the Labor Justice Committee, Las Americas... Read More »