In 1980, Texas became the first state to adopt Juneteenth as a holiday. It is officially recognized in all but three states: Hawaii, North Dakota and South Dakota. As Americans continue to march for racial justice, black Texans say the holiday has taken on additional weight.
Police brutality in Texas
Protesters across Texas have turned out to demonstrate against police brutality after Houston-native George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis police custody. Texas officials have largely condemned the killing of Floyd. The state has its own history of black Texans dying at the hands of police — including Mike Ramos, a 42-year-old black and Hispanic man in Austin who was shot and killed by police in April 2020. Ramos’ name has been invoked alongside Floyd’s during the state’s most recent protests. Read our coverage of the protests and tell us about your experience protesting here.
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Police brutality in Texas
Austin Police Chief Brian Manley will keep his job despite calls for his removal, city says
City Manager Spencer Cronk said Manley assured him that he is committed to making reforms in the police department. City Council members had asked for Manley to resign.
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Police brutality in Texas
Texas cities took quick actions after George Floyd’s death. Advocates doubt they’ll have a big impact.
As protests erupted in major Texas cities, local officials announced policy changes to reform policing. Advocates doubt the quickly cast votes and signed orders will have a real effect.
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Police brutality in Texas
George Floyd killing energizes a new generation in fight against racism in East Texas
Young people with little experience in activism are propelling a series of protests in East Texas, a region known for its history of violence against black people.
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Police brutality in Texas
Texas Legislative Black Caucus starts planning legislative responses to police brutality, racial inequality
Lawmakers took input from constituents during the first in a seres of virtual town halls scheduled this week.
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Police brutality in Texas
Protests against police brutality and racism: scenes from small Texas towns and cities
The demonstrations against police brutality that have swept through Texas haven’t been confined to its largest cities. Texas Tribune photographers documented marches in smaller cities and towns across the state. Here are some of their images.
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Police brutality in Texas
Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff’s deputies
In 2019, Williamson County sheriff’s deputies held down Ambler and stunned him four times before his body went limp. He died at a hospital about an hour later.
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Police brutality in Texas
Joshua Howell doesn’t want “thoughts and prayers.” He wants Austin police to take responsibility for critically injuring his brother at a recent protest.
While Howell says he’s pleased Austin police have vowed to stop using such tactics in crowds, he hopes his brother’s story sparks real change. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.
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Police brutality in Texas
For these Texas organizers and officials, defunding the police means remedying effects of racism
Some Texas cities are eyeing cuts to police department budgets to fund social services like housing assistance, mental health services and job training.
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Police brutality in Texas
Austin City Council unanimously limits police officers’ use of force and asks for cuts to department budget
The moves came after the department was criticized for how it responded to police brutality protesters and as residents continue calling for the police chief’s resignation.