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Freedom Cities Report Reveals APD Failure to Comply with Policies
Austin, TX -- Austin’s Freedom City Policies went into effect on November 1, 2018 to reduce discretionary arrests for citation-eligible offenses and racial disparities in arrests overall. Last Friday, August 9, 2019, the Austin Police Department (APD) issued its second round of quarterly reports covering the April - June timeframe as required by the Policies. In response, a coalition of community groups issued the following statement: Read more about Freedom Cities Report Reveals APD Failure to Comply with Policies
Travis County Commissioners vote on public defender office budget and oversight board
Members of the Indigent Legal Services Working Group outside the Commissioners Court, May 7, 2019
AUSTIN, Tex. — Earlier today, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted on two items related to the establishment of a public defender office. The first item establishes an oversight board composed of community members and those involved in the criminal justice system while the second item lays out the budget that cuts funds from the initial proposal for 24/7 magistration and four full-time staff critical to the success of a public defender office, including an immigration attorney.
The following is a statement by Grassroots Leadership in response to this vote: Read more about Travis County Commissioners vote on public defender office budget and oversight board
Violent attacks against Austin couple likely stem from escalating anti-homeless rhetoric; coalition raising money to protect people targeted by the attacks
AUSTIN, Tex. — The following is a statement from the Homes Not Handcuffs coalition concerning the most recent apparent hate-motivated attack targeting two Austin homeless residents Wednesday afternoon: Read more about Violent attacks against Austin couple likely stem from escalating anti-homeless rhetoric; coalition raising money to protect people targeted by the attacks
Lights for Liberty: Community unites outside T. Don Hutto Detention Camp for vigil and worldwide moment of silence
**PRESS ADVISORY**
Friday, July 12, 2019 @ 7pm
WHAT: Vigil and moment of silence
WHO: Grassroots Leadership, DSA-Austin, Indivisible Austin, community members, immigrant women formerly detained
WHEN: Friday, July 12, 2019, 7-9pm CST Read more about Lights for Liberty: Community unites outside T. Don Hutto Detention Camp for vigil and worldwide moment of silence
#HomesNotHandcuffs victory is under attack. Fight back with this social media toolkit!
July 9, 2019 by Holly Kirby
Our #HomesNotHandcuffs victory is under attack by a targeted misinformation campaign that is trying to undermine the work we did to decriminalize homelessness in Austin.
We need your help to fight back against folks online who are spreading lies and fear. Not sure what to say? Check out this social media toolkit: Read more about #HomesNotHandcuffs victory is under attack. Fight back with this social media toolkit!
