As the nation reels from George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants his office to have the authority to prosecute cases in which police kill. That currently falls to local authorities.
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
Donald Trump cautions against “falsely labeling” racists while in Dallas to talk about George Floyd
The president largely expressed deference to police, arguing that there are “bad apples” but “not too many of them.”
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Police brutality in Texas
Houston officials increase police budget as Dallas and Austin officials consider decreases in wake of police brutality protests
Some of Texas’ biggest cities appear headed in different directions with police budgets during nationwide calls to cut law enforcement funding.
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Police brutality in Texas
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo tells U.S. House committee defunding police is “not the answer”
George Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd was also a featured witness at the hearing, where he spoke about the pain of losing his brother.
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Police brutality in Texas
Greg Abbott has condemned the death of George Floyd, but he’s been silent on Texas’ recent history of police killings
Abbott also has praised Texas’ “legacy of success” on criminal justice reforms. In recent years, many police reform efforts have repeatedly failed at the Texas Capitol.
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Police brutality in Texas
In George Floyd-inspired protests, Texas organizers find new allies in quest for police reforms
“They had to watch this man literally gasp for air … to give a damn,” one Austin organizer said about the momentum building after millions saw the video of Floyd’s death. “They saw it. It was real, and I think that’s why we are where we are.”
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Police brutality in Texas
George Floyd laid to rest in Houston as protests against police brutality and calls for change continue
After the service, Floyd was carried by a horse drawn carriage to his final resting place in Pearland next to his mother.
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Police brutality in Texas
The Texas lawmakers who led the Sandra Bland Act are pushing to reinstate the police reforms stripped from their original bill
The lawmakers said they are acting in response to the death of former Houston resident George Floyd.
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Police brutality in Texas
Anger, anguish and calls for change mark George Floyd’s memorial in Houston
Mourners from across the nation gathered in Houston for a public viewing to celebrate George Floyd, a friend, father and martyr to many in attendance, but also a victim of police brutality and racial injustice.
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Police brutality in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott raises idea of “George Floyd Act” at Houston visitation
Without offering specifics, Abbott said he is committed to working with lawmakers and Floyd’s family to prevent police brutality.