DALLAS – Today, a coalition of grassroots and faith-based leaders across Dallas County are applauding District Attorney John Creuzot for unveiling policy proposals that will help put an end to unjust practices that have criminalized the Dallas community for decades. The coalition, which includes Faith in Texas, ACLU of Texas, and Texas Organizing Project, is working with the new DA to ensure his promises are more than words and is encouraging him to be an active leader in the effort to end systemic injustice.
“Thank you District Attorney John Creuzot for championing justice starting on your first day of office. We recognize and appreciate your voice of moral courage and the use of your elected political power to value the most vulnerable in our community,” said Kortni Blackmon, national LIVE FREE organizer working with Faith in Texas
Blackmon added: “We look forward to working with you to put your promises into action through hosting monthly community meetings, setting a clear and explicit decarceration goal for Dallas County and publicly releasing your operational budget.
“We are encouraged by your leadership, Mr. Creuzot. Thank you for raising the bar in Dallas County,” said Brittany White, Live Free Texas Campaign Manager. “We believe this is a powerful first step in the right direction, but the path to justice is long. We, therefore, are counting on all other elected officials to follow suit, in dignity and with fairness for all. May Dallas County work to completely reform this broken system, manifesting the power of people when they are able to reclaim their humanity, their due justice, and their wholeness.”
“Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot’s reform proposals are the start of dramatic changes residents have demanded to address deeply rooted issues in the local criminal justice system,” said Sharon Watkins Jones, director of political strategies for the ACLU of Texas. “It is my hope Creuzot will spend his time in office to continue promoting reform that truly benefits Dallas communities.”
“We applaud DA Creuzot for recognizing that racial disparities exist in the criminal justice system and that Black people are disproportionately targeted. We cannot have a fair criminal justice system without first admitting that it is steeped in racism,” said TOP Deputy Director Brianna Brown. “What Creuzot is proposing today begins to acknowledge that we are not made safer by just throwing people in jail. Incarceration should be a last resort. We look forward to continuing our work with Creuzot to end mass incarceration in our communities.”
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View District Attorney Cruezot’s full memo here.
