Brianna Brown, deputy director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), made the following statement in reaction to District Attorney John Creuzot’s public letter release yesterday announcing policy changes:
“TOP applauds DA Creuzot for unveiling these reform policies that lay a solid foundation for ending mass incarceration and the criminalization of poverty in Dallas County. We also appreciate his acknowledgement that racial disparities exist in the criminal justice system and that Black people are disproportionately targeted.
“By taking these first steps, Creuzot is sending a message to the community that he is ready to do the critical work needed to repair and bring more humanity to our broken justice system. These policies move us farther away from the destructive and racist “tough on crime” mentality of the past. Incarceration should be a last resort.
“We look forward to continuing collaborating with DA Creuzot to work toward putting an end to practices that for too long have diminished and marginalized communities of color in Dallas County.”
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Texas Organizing Project organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris and Bexar counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.