FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2018 CONTACT: Rev. Wes Helm Organizer Faith in Texas 254-291-3178 [email protected] Clergy Unite to Speak Against Racism and Hatred in Euless City Council Race Over the past weeks, Council Candidate Salman Bhojani has been subject to attacks on his faith and ethnicity, including insinuatory remarks from his Representative in the Texas State House, Jonathan Stickland. Clergy leaders in Euless and surrounding areas have been dismayed to see the fires of fear and prejudice stoked against a fellow member of the faith community. Alongside leaders from Faith in Texas, a multi-faith movement for social justice, these clergy came together to speak out against the hateful and prejudicial remarks made to Mr. Bhojani and his family. “My position is that the church stands firmly in the tradition of Jesus being opposed to racism and hatred. We lament that some who claim the name of Christ treat those who do not as suspicious or less committed citizens. We are committed to following Jesus better today than yesterday, thus loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves. This means all of our neighbors, whether we look alike, think alike, or believe alike,” said Rev. Steve Heyduck, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Euless. Clergy felt it was important for faith leaders from across the region to make a clear moral statement in the face of the hateful rhetoric. “This is not about politics. This is about basic human interaction, rules of engagement, and the ability to disagree with a person without making it about race or religion,” said Rev. Philip Rhodes, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Rev. Jaime Kowlessar, Senior Pastor at City Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church and Faith in Texas Clergy Table Chair, called on other politicians involved in the race to rescind statements that appear to demean Mr. Bhojani’s faith. “Derogatory statements towards Muslims are not simply an assault to Mr. Bhojani’s faith, but are evidence of disregard for his humanity. Our elected officials are given the responsibility of not only leading ethically, but also seeking to bring out the best in their constituents. Today we are witnessing the total opposite. The scriptures teach us to love one another with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Faith in Texas clergy understand that our dignity is found in appreciation for each other regardless of religious affiliation. As a body of clergy, we are calling on everyone involved in this race, including Rep. Stickland and Mr. Bhojani’s opponent, Molly Maddux, to refrain from derogatory anti-Muslim rhetoric that puts politics ahead of our human dignity and the health of our shared community.” Signatories: Rev. Steve Heyduck – Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Euless Rev. Philip Rhodes – Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Hurst Rev. Amy Tate-Almy, AFC – Associate Pastor, City Point United Methodist Church Rev. Ken Ehrke – Pastor, Embrace United Church of Christ Rev. Jaime Kowlessar – Senior Pastor, City Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church Rabbi Kimberly Herzog Cohen – Rabbi, Temple Emanu-El Rev. Ray Jordan – Senior Pastor, Central Congregational United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Michael Gregg – Pastor, Royal Lane Baptist Church Rev. Roy Atwood – Pastor, St. Stephen United Methodist Church Rev. Manda Adams – Pastor, First Community Church, United Church of Christ Rev. Becky David Hensley – Associate Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church Rev. Ben A. David Hensley – Associate Pastor, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church Charles L. Aaron – Associate Director of the Intern Program, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 30, 2018 CONTACTS: Brittany White LIVE FREE Organizer Faith in Texas (937) 546-1668 [email protected] Daniel Barrera Texas Organizing Project Education Fund (214) 957-6234 [email protected] Faith in Texas, Texas Organizing Project Education Fund Join Dallas County Bail Practices Lawsuit to Demand Public Access to Bail Proceedings DALLAS — Today, social justice organizations Faith in Texas and Texas Organizing Project Education Fund became plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleging unconstitutional bail practices in Dallas County, TX, by Civil Rights Corps, the Texas Fair Defense Project, the ACLU of Texas, and the American Civil Liberties Union filed on January 21, 2018. The organizations, who are working to end mass incarceration in Dallas County, were denied access to bail proceedings by the Dallas County Sheriff in violation of the public’s First Amendment rights. “Matthew 25 teaches us that it is our duty as Christians to help the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the weary, and those in prison,” said Rev. Edwin Robinson, executive director for Faith in Texas. “As people of faith we believe it’s not just our responsibility or our legal right, but more importantly it is our faithful calling to be with our sisters and brothers in every place of human need. Being denied access to bail proceedings is not just a hurdle, but a brick wall preventing us from living out our sacred calling of caring for our neighbors.” The lawsuit’s amended complaint alleges that Dallas County and the Dallas County Sheriff have prevented representatives from Faith in Texas and Texas Organizing Project Education Fund from attending and observing the proceedings where people charged with offenses are told their bail amounts, which the First Amendment requires to be open to the public. “Justice can’t be done in secret,” said Tarsha Jackson, criminal justice director for Texas Organizing Project Education Fund. “We are all entitled to fair treatment under the law, and right now by keeping bail proceedings behind closed doors, Dallas County is denying its residents, the accused and the public at large a basic tenet of our criminal justice system—free and open access. We want to force open those doors, and shine a bright light on the injustices being committed on poor people who are being incarcerated before guilt has been established because they can’t afford to buy their freedom. As a group that organizes people of color so they can fight for the power and representation they deserve, Texas Organizing Project Education Fund is proud to join this lawsuit as a plaintiff.” The original suit, filed on behalf of six plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, accuses officials in the county of operating a two-tiered system of justice based on wealth in violation of the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Read the amended complaint here. Faith in Texas is a multi-racial faith movement for social and economic justice. We train teams of leaders in local churches, mosques, and synagogues that serve people of color and low and moderate income people.  Texas Organizing Project Education Fund organizes Black and Latino communities in Harris, Bexar and Dallas counties. For more information, visit organizetexas.org. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is the leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State. Since our formation in 1938, we have worked in the courts, the legislature, and through public education to protect civil rights and individual liberty. The ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice fights mass incarceration and combats racial disparities in the criminal justice system. The campaign’s bail reform initiative focuses on ending money bail and eliminating wealth-based pretrial detention. Civil Rights Corps is a non-profit organization dedicated to challenging systemic injustice in the American legal system. We work with individuals accused and convicted of crimes, their families and communities, people currently or formerly incarcerated, activists, organizers, judges, and government officials to challenge mass human caging and to create a legal system that promotes equality and human freedom. The Texas Fair Defense Project’s mission is to fight for a criminal justice system that respects the rights of low-income Texans. We envision a new system of justice that is fair, compassionate, and respectful.