Texas Activists Rally At Capitol For Support Of George Floyd Act

Austin TX

25 March, 2021

10:00 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Social justice activists gather at the Texas Capitol building Thursday morning to urge state legislators to pass police reform bills introduced after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last summer. The Austin Justice Coalition gathered at the capitol at 8 a.m. Thursday and will continue to rally this morning for support of the Texas version of the George Floyd Act and another reform bill. Organizers said a group of at least 60 people will speak in favor of the two bills aimed at police reform at a meeting of the state's committee on homeland security and public safety. The committee is scheduled to begin its meeting 10:30 a.m. Thursday. According to the state's website, the George Floyd Act, would ban police choke holds, require deadly force to end "the moment the imminent threat" ends, and limit the use of qualified immunity in police brutality lawsuits, among other measures. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), and Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas), two longtime Black lawmakers. A different bill, filed by state Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock), seeks to ban state law enforcement agencies from being featured on reality television shows, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The Austin Justice Coalition was one of many organizations to rally at the state capitol last summer during the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, according to the event's page. Many protested and demanded justice for the slaying of Houston native Floyd in May 2020 and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2020. Protesters also denounced the slaying of Javier Ambler II and Mike Ramos, who were also killed by law enforcement officers in Austin. Joining the Austin Justice Coalition, the The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition is also scheduled to meet at the southern entrance to the Texas Capitol on 11th Street early Thursday, where they will hold a rally in honor of Floyd. About an hour into the rally, organizers said they will move the crowd toward the COVID-19 testing area to get people an armband to enter the Capitol. RELATED COVERAGE: Mike Ramos Act To Create New Standards For TX Officer Discipline Austin Police Officer Charged With Murder In Michael Ramos Case Assistant Chief Joe Chacon Selected Interim Austin Police Chief