Civil Rights Organization Demands That Police Department Train Officers on De-Escalation of Violence The South Texas Civil Rights Project (STCRP) is calling for a full and open investigation into the Jan. 4, 2012 deadly shooting by police of a Brownville middle school student. Fifteen-year-old Jaime Gonzalez was shot by Brownsville police officers while allegedly holding a pellet gun at Cummings Middle School. Police claimed that the boy had plenty of time to lower the pellet gun before … [Read more...]
STCRP Calls for Investigation of Police Involved Shooting Death of Brownsville Student
January 18, 2012 By
TCRP Warns Texas Prison System about Unconstitutional Health Care
January 9, 2012 By
The Texas Civil Rights Project has sent a letter to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission urging reform of the Texas prison health care system. “Texas prison health care teetered on the edge of unconstitutionality [before the last legislative session],” wrote Jim Harrington, Director of the Texas Civil Rights Project. But now, because of recent cuts the legislature made to the prison health care budget, “[h]ealth care in the Texas prison system has, or soon will, become … [Read more...]
TCRP Letter to Texas Sunset Advisory Commission about Prison Health Care Crisis
January 9, 2012 By
Note: the following letter was sent on Nov. 30, 2011. Sunset Advisory Commission Austin, TX 78701 Dear Members of the Sunset Advisory Commission and Rep. Dennis Bonnen, Chair: I hope you are well. In light of your mandate to review the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the Board of Pardons and Paroles (”Parole Board”), and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee, I am writing to express my deep concern about the abysmal condition of health care within the … [Read more...]
STCRP Files Federal Suit for Citizens Denied Social Security Numbers
January 4, 2012 By
Applicant files suit to protect his fundamental right to due process TCRP’s Rio Grande Valley office, the South Texas Civil Rights Project (STCRP), has filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court in McAllen on behalf of a U.S. citizen, who could never get a Social Security number in McAllen because the Social Security Administration’s deliberate effort to delay issuance of numbers to older applicants or those born by mid-wives. Carlos Muñoz, born in Pharr, Texas, filed an … [Read more...]
Opening Statement of the Federal Court Hearing Regarding Arrests and Bans of Occupy Austin Protesters
December 22, 2011 By
Here is the text of the opening statement for a Dec. 21, 2011 federal court hearing in Austin. Co-counsel Ryan P. Bates of Yetter Coleman, LLP argued that the First Amendment rights of his clients were violated when they were arrested during Occupy Austin activities and banned from the Austin City Hall Plaza. Joining Bates as co-counsels from Yetter Coleman were Ed Dawson--who helped to prepare the opening statement--and Anna Rotman. Good morning, Your Honor, and may it please the … [Read more...]
Texas Bar Foundation Awards $6,000 Grant to TCRP’s New Disability Rights Program in Odessa
December 2, 2011 By
The Texas Bar Foundation recently awarded a $6,000 grant to the Texas Civil Rights Project for its new Disability Rights Program in Odessa, TX. Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation. First Disability Rights Gala in Odessa - Dec. 3, 2011 Disability rights are a priority in the … [Read more...]
El Paso City Council Supports Resolution Recognizing Wage Theft Problem
November 30, 2011 By
El Paso, TX -- The Coalition Against Wage Theft, a community-based group comprised of dozens of local organizations, non-profits, faith-based organizations, businesses, and community groups delivered 5,000 petitions and the support of dozens of El Paso groups in favor of passing a city-wide civil ordinance against wage theft. They received the support of the City Council, who voted in favor of a resolution recognizing the rampant problem of wage theft and committing itself to review potential … [Read more...]
El Paso Leaders, Community Advocates Introduce New Wage Theft Law
November 30, 2011 By
El Paso, Texas — State Senator José Rodríguez, District Attorney Jaime Esparza, County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal, Sheriff Richard Wiles, Police Chief Greg Allen, Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project, and the Labor Justice Committee announced that they will collaborate in the investigation and prosecution of wage theft cases under the Texas Penal Code. In certain industries, such as construction, one in every five workers experiences wage theft. Day laborers in particular are significantly … [Read more...]
Federal Suit Filed Against City of Austin’s Policy Banning Protesters from City Hall and Freedom Plaza
November 28, 2011 By
Two “Occupy Austin” protesters filed suit on Monday, Nov. 21 in Austin federal district court, asking that the court immediately halt the City’s policy and practice of ‘banning” them and other lawful protesters from Austin City Hall, its Freedom Plaza, and surrounding sidewalks. The Plaintiffs, Rudy Sánchez and Kris Sleeman, claim that the banning policy unconstitutionally prevents them from exercising their fundamental political speech rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. … [Read more...]
Albert Armendariz, Sr. Award Recognizes Lifetime Achievement in Human Rights
November 16, 2011 By
El Paso, Texas, November 16, 2011 -- Paso del Norte Civil Rights Project is pleased to announce its Fifth Annual Fiesta Fronteriza. The Fiesta Fronteriza will take place on November 18, 2011 at the El Paso Library- Main Branch between 5pm and 8pm. It will feature live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails. The annual event celebrates the history of civil rights activism in the Paso del Norte region and honors individuals and organizations that contribute to the community through their … [Read more...]