In response to this week’s murder of George Floyd, and the recent racist, violent killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, Every Texan issued the following statement:
“Texans can’t thrive if they are targets because of the color of their skin. We all deserve safe and supportive communities, but racism is all around us and Texans of color are facing constant aggressions. We can’t work together toward a more equitable and just state if our brothers and sisters are under attack by the very justice system that is supposed to protect all of us. We join the groundswell of Americans that are demanding real justice by holding the systems and perpetrators accountable for these horrific crimes.
“At Every Texan, we seek social justice through public policy. We seek a Texas where people of all backgrounds have a fair opportunity to thrive. The dignity of every person, including the freedom of Black people to exercise, work, and enjoy life without fear of murder and persecution, is so critical and basic that it’s hard to believe we are still saying this again in 2020. We will continue to see more cases like these in the future unless we really look at the racial impact of our laws and policies, including the use of force by law enforcement, and commit to building new systems to truly serve every Texan. With our partners and allies, we will bring our full selves and our commitment to racial equity to our efforts to strengthen public policies that defend our fellow Texans and improve conditions for every Texan.”
Since its founding in 1985, Every Texan (formerly the Center for Public Policy Priorities – CPPP) has expanded opportunity and equity for Texans of all backgrounds. Based in Austin, Texas, Every Texan is an organization pursuing social justice through public policy. Their dedicated team researches, analyzes, and advocates for public policies to expand equitable access to quality health care, food security, education, and good jobs. everytexan.org.