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Our Mission

The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) promotes racial, social, and economic justice through education and litigation. TCRP strives to foster equality, secure justice, ensure diversity, and strengthen communities. TCRP was founded in 1990 as part of Oficina Legal del Pueblo Unido, a non-profit community-based foundation located in South Texas. We have offices in San Juan (in the Rio Grande Valley) and Austin, as well as VAWA staff in El Paso and Midland/Odessa.

Since its beginning, TCRP has achieved substantial system gains in ensuring justice for all Texans. TCRP uses education and litigation to make structural change in areas such as voting rights, police and border patrol misconduct, sex discrimination, employment bias, privacy, disability rights, grand jury discrimination, traditional civil liberties (i.e. free speech), and Title IX in secondary education. TCRP also conducts a program under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

What Our Clients Say

"I want you to know you handled everything so wonderful. You were even able to soothe my broken heart and up-and-down emotions...." (from mother of daughter who committed suicide in county jail)

"Every time I go by there, I feel a slap in the face of people with disabilities has been avenged -- that there is hope against money, power & privilege & insider deals...." (from client in "Day in the Life" Americans with Disabilities Act campaign)

"With all my heart I give a thousand thanks to the attorney Isaac Harrington and to Jessie Hahn for the great interest they showed in my case. Thank you for your nobility, comprehension, and all the hard work you put into my case. I do not have words to thank you for all the help you have given me. God bless you, many thanks." (from VAWA client)

"Great working with you all!" (from leader of disabilities rights organization)

"Now, I can tell everyone my story thanks to the great help that the Project gave me, especially Jaime Ortiz. I feel very proud to have become his friend, because he was an angel God sent to me. Although Jaime was doing his job as a legal assistant, he treated me not just like a client, but like family.

"My most sincere appreciation to this entire organization and to all the people who make this possible, allowing women like me to realize the great American Dream."

"I hope that programs such as this one can keep working so that other women who are in the situation I was in and are still suffering these problems can find help in time because we only live once."

"Once again with this letter, I would like to express my most sincere appreciation to everyone at the Project, including Jaime, Moira, the people in Austin, and all those people who have dedicated themselves to helping us. In the name of all the women who have benefitted from this VAWA program, MANY THANKS." (from South Texas VAWA client)

"Victory is sweet! A big thanks to all of you at TCRP. Jim you did a great job. Glad you were on our side. Wayne can tell you all that, when we lost that first case, it was hard to get us back together to make a decision on going on with the appeal. A loss like that can discourage you. But Wayne made us see that we couldn't really call ourselves activists and leave this opportunity on the table. What matters most is how we act when we are challenged, not when things are easy. We had a good case. TCRP always felt this was a strong case. Wayne won one for us at the 3rd Court of Appeals, and now the whole rest of your team did an absolutely fabulous job bringing back the win." (Sonia Santana, Plaintiff in Democracy Coalition case)

"I am very happy because I got a person who is very capable, very pleasant, and very good, she is an excellent person. She explains things to me very well, she is professional; her name is Jessie Hahn. Thank you." (from East Texas VAWA client)

"The Civil Rights Project attorneys did a great job. I am hoping your excellent participation will make a great change at the McConnel prison facility."

"I am forever indebted to TCRP for your kind and professional assistance, following the aggravated assault and hate crime against my roommate and me ...."

"Other than my church, no one else had come to help me, not until December 28, 2006, when I met a woman name Gabby from the Civil Rights Project through Pastor Bob. I met her at a meeting for the victims of domestic violence. I remembered her friendly and trustworthy face. At that time, I wished she could help me. However, due to the language barrier, I didn't get to talk to her very much. So when Pastor Bob told me that she called for me, I was thrilled. How could she still remember me when she seemed so busy? I prayed to God and thanked Him for sending an angel to help me." (from West Texas VAWA client)

"I am totally amazed by the quality and dedication to civil rights your staff has."

"Scott Medlock was very personable, and I feel like he really cared about our son. The final result was acceptable -- you never really recover what you feel you should -- but he worked very hard ... and we certainly appreciate him."

What Others Say

I was so thrilled to hear about your settlement up in Round Rock and your interview on NPR today! Good going! I've talked to my students about that litigation numerous times, and what a wonderful moment in legal history to be able to share with them. All of us who try to teach young people, particularly young Latinos, about their rights, are deeply in your debt for this much-needed dose of inspiration. (Austin high school teacher)

"Thank you for all you do to make Texas a better place."

"I don't say it often enough, but I am always filled with admiration at the work you (and your colleagues at TCRP) do." (University of Texas law professor)

"I want to thank you for representing the Round Rock student protestors. My father (deceased) attended school in Georgetown in the early 1900's. He was not allowed to attend the school in the district that he lived in but was forced to walk miles to a Mexican school. When people think of segregated schools, I am sure they think of blacks. Many people are not aware that there was segregation of Mexicans also.... Our family has come a long way and this year my son is One of Five Outstanding Houstonians."

"Happy Labor Day, Jim. I read your editorial and want to congratulate you on a well written piece that we all wish didn't need to be said. Being retired now, Charles and I are painfully aware of how much daily living costs and for those who live from paycheck to paycheck, or even less, it must be gruesome. Keep on telling it like it is and maybe some of it will have an effect on those who have the power to do something about it. Kudos."

"Thank you. Kind words coming from someone who does so much for the principles America stands (or should stand) for means a lot to me." (Austin attorney)

"This summer has really meant a lot to me. I feel like I was involved in some very meaningful work, learned a ton, and met some great people. Thank you for everything that you do. Texas is a better place because you are here. You should know that you not only help the people of Texas, you also help us law clerks open our eyes to the world." (former law clerk, Summer 2006)

"This is FANTASTIC!. LULAC and the Hispanic community appreciate all the work you and TCRP did defending the Round Rock students. Thank you."

"Great to see your face on the front page of the Metro section today. You and other members of the immigration panel are working on such an important issue - thank you!"

"Your commitment to civil rights for all is unbelievable. Onward - don't mourn...organize. Peace."

"... But more than anything else, TCRP's passion, commitment, and devotion to systemic change will stick in my mind the longest. When I've seen people frustrated and overwhelmed, I always got the senses that there's nowhere else this staff would rather be. Thanks for fighting the good fight." (former law clerk, Summer 2005)

Our Inspiration

"The work of the Texas Civil Rights Project is critical in the struggle to bring about justice and equality in Texas." --César Chávez

Fr. Frank Sabatté of University Catholic Center sculpted a memorial bust of César Chávez for the Michael Tigar Human Rights Center, home of TCRP. Fr. Sabatté donated his time and talent.

Materials were donated by these representatives of the legal profession and political leaders:

Prof. Michael A. Olivas (University of Houston Law Center)
Augustina H. Reyes (University of Houston)
Jorge G. Pineda (Attorney, Austin)
Prof. Olga Moya (South Texas College of Law)
Judge Orlinda Naranjo (Travis County Court at Law)
Prof. Jorge Ramírez (Texas Tech University School of Law)
Judge Gisela D. Triana (Travis County Court at Law)
Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr. (Houston)
Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos (Austin)
Lulu Flores (Attorney, Austin)
The Hendler Law Firm (Austin)
Judge Mario E. Ramírez, Jr. (Hidalgo County District Court)
Judge Noé González (Hidalgo County District Court)
Chief Justice Rogelio Valdez (Corpus Christi Court of Appeals)
Judge Aída Flores

César was a great inspiration to us all, and his example motivated many to public service, community organizing, and human rights work. We hope his memorial here at the Project will inspire likewise the many volunteers and law interns who dedicate their time to work with us.

Fr. Sabatté's other work my be viewed at: www.sabatte-arts.com