Grassroots Leadership Blog

We can not accept any DACA deal that includes more detention and deportation

September 14, 2017 by Bob Libal

Bob Libal, executive director of Grassroots Leadership, speaking at the University Leadership Initiative press conference on September 5 to respond to news that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session announced the end of the DACA program.

I remain heartened by the defiant response of our community here in Austin to the ending of DACA. We’ve been standing with University Leadership Initiative, with United We Dream, and with undocumented students who have DACA and who don’t have DACA, for years. We’re outraged by the actions of bullies like Donald Trump, Ken Paxton, Jeff Sessions, Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick who have tried to terrorize these communities for months now. Read more about We can not accept any DACA deal that includes more detention and deportation

We welcome Norma Itzel Salas to the Grassroots Leadership team

September 14, 2017 by Cristina Parker

Grassroots Leadership is pleased to welcome Norma Itzel Salas as our new Immigration Social Work and Advocacy Intern. Itzel is a current student at St. Edward’s University finishing her last semester this December with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. 

Itzel has volunteered around Austin with different organizations such as Casa Marianella, has spoken to Senator Eddie Lucio about how to advocate for immigrant rights, is now part of our Grassroots Leadership team! She has a passion for immigration law and policy.  Read more about We welcome Norma Itzel Salas to the Grassroots Leadership team

ICE Muéstranos Tus Papeles: Acción en San Antonio

September 14, 2017 by Elizabeth Welliver

El pasado martes, 12 de Septiembre, Grassroots Leadership, RAICES, Austin Sanctuary Network, Movimento Cosecha, entre otros compañeros locales, se unieron a los defensores de inmigrantes en todo el país para exigir responsabilidad de ICE en San Antonio, TX. Las acciones nacionales coordinadas fueron en respuesta a las mega-incursiones planeadas por el ICE durante el mes de septiembre. Read more about ICE Muéstranos Tus Papeles: Acción en San Antonio

ICE Show Us Your Papers: Action in San Antonio for ICE Accountability

September 14, 2017 by Elizabeth Welliver

On Tuesday in San Antonio, Grassroots Leadership, RAICES, the Austin Sanctuary Network, Movimento Cosecha, and local partners joined with immigrant advocates across the nation to demand accountability from ICE. The coordinated national actions were in response to ICE’s planned mega-raids during the month of September. Read more about ICE Show Us Your Papers: Action in San Antonio for ICE Accountability

No Podemos Aceptar Ningún Trato con DACA que Incluya más Deportaciones y Detención

September 14, 2017 by Bob Libal

Bob Libal, director ejecutivo de Grassroots Leadership durante la conferencia de prensa de University Initiative el 5 de Septiembre para responder sobre las noticias que el Fiscal General de los Estados Unidos, Jeff Session, anunciara el fin del programa

Me siento alentado por la respuesta feroz de nuestra comunidad aquí en Austin sobre la terminación del programa DACA.  Hemos estado a lado de University Initiative, con United We Dream, y con los estudiantes indocumentados que tienen DACA y que no tienen DACA, durante años. Estamos verdaderamente indignados por las acciones de matones como Donald Trump, Ken Paxton, Jeff Sessions, Greg Abbott y Dan Patrick que han tratado de aterrorizar a estas comunidades durante meses. Read more about No Podemos Aceptar Ningún Trato con DACA que Incluya más Deportaciones y Detención

Grassroots Welcomes Chris Harris

September 12, 2017 by Holly Kirby

Grassroots Leadership is pleased to welcome Chris Harris to the team as a Data Analyst & Campaigns Coordinator! Chris has been contracting with Grassroots Leadership since January, assisting with everything from software consulting to data analysis to event organizing. We are pleased to now welcome him aboard in a full-time capacity where he will help coordinate local criminal justice campaigns, in addition to policy and data analysis. Read more about Grassroots Welcomes Chris Harris

Grassroots Welcomes Claudia Muñoz

September 7, 2017 by Cristina Parker

Grassroots Leadership is pleased to welcome Claudia Muñoz to our Austin staff as our immigration Projects Director. 

Claudia was born and raised in Monterrey, México and has called Texas home since 2001.  After her nephew was detained by ICE, Claudia began to organize with other undocumented youth nationwide to secure his release and demand dignity for all immigrants. Since graduating from Prairie View A&M University in 2009, Claudia has worked for various labor and immigrant rights organizations throughout the country.  Read more about Grassroots Welcomes Claudia Muñoz

Grassroots Welcomes Elizabeth Welliver

September 6, 2017 by Bob Libal

Grassroots Leadership is glad to welcome Elizabeth Welliver to its Austin staff. Elizabeth joins Grassroots as the fifth Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) to serve with the immigration team since 2012. The Young Adult Volunteer program with the Presbyterian Church (USA) offers the opportunity for young adults to serve for one year alongside local partners while practicing simple living, vocational discernment, intentional Christian community, cross-cultural mission, and leadership development. Read more about Grassroots Welcomes Elizabeth Welliver

New Action Research Collective Asks Night Out for Safety and Liberation Participants: What Is Safety?

September 5, 2017 by Latasha Taylor

On August 1, Texas Advocates Justice (TAJ) and allied community groups hosted their first annual Night Out for Safety and Liberation (NOSL), a night to redefine what safety and liberation means to us beyond the oppressive structures of police, prisons, and jails. NOSL was created by The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, CA in response to the National Night Out event sponsored by the National Association of Neighborhood Watch, which invited law enforcement into communities of color to promote the myth that policing equates to public safety. Read more about New Action Research Collective Asks Night Out for Safety and Liberation Participants: What Is Safety?

Houston and Austin join national Night Out for Safety and Liberation for #NOSL17

August 7, 2017 by Jorge Renaud

The #NOSL17 in Austin featured spoken word and rap performances, a cookout, and a community project where we defined together what #SafetyIs for our communities. All Austin event photos by Jaynna Sims.

The Night Out for Safety and Liberation is a national event that seeks to redefine public safety by challenging us to question what #SafetyIs for black, brown, and poor people. Texas Advocates for Justice chapters in Houston and Austin came together for #NOSL17 to imagine, celebrate, and connect. Read more about Houston and Austin join national Night Out for Safety and Liberation for #NOSL17

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