After hearing from immigrants about their reluctance to report crime, including domestic violence, for fear of being detained, Bastrop Interfaith leaders initiated a conversation with Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook about community safety, including improved communications between the Sheriff’s Department and the community. Leaders will soon meet with Bastrop County’s Crime Prevention Deputy and Victims Services Coordinator in order to advance the conversation.

In previous house meetings, residents of Stony Point had identified trash in their neighborhood as an issue of concern. Leaders worked with Bastrop County Judge Pape, helping leverage a county-funded free clean up day last fall. It proved so popular that resident leaders negotiated a second clean up, held the first weekend of June. Over 40 people hauled pickup loads of trash to the dumpsters, some making several trips! Bastrop Interfaith leaders used the opportunity to talk to people while they waited in line, to better understand their concerns and to include them in upcoming house meetings.

More than 60 Austin Interfaith leaders from institutions across the City packed into Austin City Council Chambers for a hearing on CodeNEXT.  Leaders stood to support gripping testimony from speakers Florence Briceño from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic and Rev. Michael Floyd from All Saints Episcopal who argued for strong neighborhoods and affordability, and against displacement. 

In photo, members of the audience raise their hands to demonstrate support.

[Photo Credit: Jay Janner, Austin American Statesman]

CodeNEXT Opponents, Supporters Gather at Austin City Hall, Spectrum News

Austinites Still at Odds Over CodeNEXT as Rewrite Reaches City Council, Austin American Statesman

Video Testimony by Florence Briceño, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic

Video Testimony by Rev. Michael Floyd, All Saints Episcopal

AI Fights for Agenda in Runoff

On May 10th, Austin Interfaith held an Accountability Roundtable with Texas House District 46 candidates Sheryl Cole and Chito Vela as well as US Congregational District 25 candidates Julie Oliver and Chris Perri at the Congregational Church of Austin. 100 leaders representing 10 Austin Interfaith institutions in East Austin and the University gained commitments on an agenda of issues, developed from hundreds of small group conversations, which included education, immigration reform, affordability, and funding for public schools and workforce programs like Capital IDEA.

Leaders told stories about their experiences with homelessness, deportation of neighbors, essential financial support for adult job training, and inadequate school funding. All four candidates committed to advancing legislation regarding local control, limiting property taxes for low-income homeowners, restoring cuts to federal student aid, and repealing SB 4.

Leaders from Austin Interfaith institutions in South Austin and Corridor IAF held a second Accountability Roundtable around a similar agenda of issues with candidates for CD 21 and HD 45 in San Marcos on May 15th. Please see this Catholic News Service article on the role of Austin Interfaith’s Accountability Sessions and GOTV efforts in addressing issues affecting low-income and marginalized communities (click here).

Leaders Knock on Doors in Travis & Bastrop Counties

On Saturday, May 19th, Austin Interfaith leaders conducted nonpartisan Get Out the Vote blockwalks on their agenda of issues in East Austin (Precinct 124), University/Hancock area (Precinct 206), and Stony Point in Bastrop County. The purpose of these walks is to develop relationships with neighbors, promote voter registration, and sign-on voters to the AI agenda.