Austin voted and said, ‘No Way Prop A’

Latest

Editor’s note:  This article by Chas Moore, Executive Director of the Austin Justice Coalition was originally published at www.AustinJustice.org and is reprinted here with permission.

speaker at podium speaking out against Prop A in Austin
Photo / Chas Moore, Executive Director, Austin Justice Coalition

AUSTIN, TX — The voters of Austin overwhelmingly rejected the politics of fear yesterday and renewed their commitment to a more just public safety system, a more just city budget, and a more just city overall. It cannot be overstated: Prop A was not just voted down. It went down in flames.

Austin voters sent a resounding message of support for a comprehensive approach to public safety that includes improvements to our parks and youth programs, better EMS and fire protection, public and mental health services. And voters want to improve public safety without sacrificing libraries or community centers or no-kill. That means a balance, allowing Austin leaders to invest in all kinds of services that meet people’s real needs. Austin voters also sent a clear message to the Travis County Republican Party and the Austin Police Association — when the people of Austin are informed, hope trumps fear, truth trumps lies, and progress trumps the status quo. City officials must now renew their commitment to the Reimagine Public Safety process and begin implementing the recommendations of the Task Force.

The huge coalition that came together, more than 120 organizations strong, needs to get even stronger in the coming months to preserve this victory and build on it. Austin Justice Coalition will strengthen those bonds as part of our new “District Organizing: Project Engage (DOPE)” that aims to further structure our support across town. We look forward to helping to make Austin a model city for transformative public safety. Our thanks go out to our amazing community and supporters for seizing this victory.

+ Articles by this author

Chas Moore is the local leader, organizer, founder of AJA (Austin Justice Coalition).
Reach the organization at austinjustice.org/

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Pushing People into a Really Bad System Will End Really Badly

President Trump's executive order fuses drug use and homelessness, ignoring that homelessness can cause or exacerbate substance use because people use drugs to cope with pain. Forced institutional settings rather than housing will not help the ill or unhoused.

Chicago Resistance Speaks: ‘Until All Are Free, None Are Free’

An uprising is growing as the government tries to impose a dictatorship. Chicago resistance leaders recently offered their thoughts in public remarks made at demonstrations and press conferences.

Los Angeles Continues to Rebuild and Resist

Angelinos, suffering from the profit over people economy, continue to rebuild after the fires and to protest immigration raids, while also experiencing joy in such difficult times.

Chicago Teachers Union Says: Trump, Stay Out of Our City

Chicago Teachers Union rejects any unlawful federal occupation of their city, while welcoming federal leadership that fully funds public education, restores SNAP, and expands Medicaid to healthcare for all.

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

More from the People's Tribune