COVID-19 Tele-Town Halls

On April 29, Austin Justice Coalition held a virtual community town-hall conversation with Travis County/ Austin judges to learn how they are responding, from a judicial perspective, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Featured panelists:

– Sarah Eckhardt, Judge, Travis County Judge
– The Honorable Brad Urrutia, Judge, 390th Criminal District Court
– The Honorable Julie Kocurek, Judge, 390th Criminal District Court
– The Honorable Cliff Brown, Judge, 147th Criminal District Court
– The Honorable Elisabeth Earle, County Court at Law #7
– The Honorable Nancy Hohengarten, County Court at Law #5
– The Honorable Leon Grizzard, Travis County Magistrate Court

On April 22, 2020, Austin Justice Coalition hosted a virtual community town-hall conversation with Austin higher education leaders, faculty and staff and got the latest updates in regards to how COVID-19 is affecting the learning experience for our local collegiate students. We also heard from community members and students in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featured administrative guests:
– Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, President/ CEO, Huston-Tillotson University
– Dr. Donald Christian, President/ CEO, Concordia University Texas
– Dr. Richard Rhodes, President/ CEO, Austin Community College District
– Dr. Leonard Moore, Vice President, Diversity and Community Engagement, The University of Texas at Austin
– Liz Johnson, Director of Government & Community Relations, St. Edward’s University

Featured student guests:
– Danielle Deckard, Junior, Texas State University
– Grant E. Loveless, Junior, Austin Community College
– Jessica Riley, Junior, St. Edward’s University
– Krista Gehlhausen, Senior, Concordia University Texas
– Saffana Velji, Huston-Tillotson University
– Wendy Rodriguez, Junior, The University of Texas at Austin

On April 22, 2020, Austin Justice Coalition hosted a virtual community town-hall conversation with Austin higher education leaders, faculty and staff and got the latest updates in regards to how COVID-19 is affecting the learning experience for our local collegiate students. We also heard from community members and students in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featured administrative guests:
– Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, President/ CEO, Huston-Tillotson University
– Dr. Donald Christian, President/ CEO, Concordia University Texas
– Dr. Richard Rhodes, President/ CEO, Austin Community College District
– Dr. Leonard Moore, Vice President, Diversity and Community Engagement, The University of Texas at Austin
– Liz Johnson, Director of Government & Community Relations, St. Edward’s University

Featured student guests:
– Danielle Deckard, Junior, Texas State University
– Grant E. Loveless, Junior, Austin Community College
– Jessica Riley, Junior, St. Edward’s University
– Krista Gehlhausen, Senior, Concordia University Texas
– Saffana Velji, Huston-Tillotson University
– Wendy Rodriguez, Junior, The University of Texas at Austin

On April 15, 2020 Austin Justice Coalition for a virtual community town-hall conversation with AISD leaders, faculty and staff as we hear latest updates from the district. We will also hear from community members, students, and parents in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featured panelists:

– Dr. Paul Cruz. Superintendent, Austin Independent School District
– Geronimo Rodriguez, President, AISD Board of Trustees
– Dr. Stephanie Hawley, Chief Equity Officer, AISD
– Ken Zarifis, President, Education Austin
– Jon Bailey, Principal, LBJ Early College High School
– Cai Wilson and Mom, Student/Parent, Anderson High School

On April 10, 2020 Austin Justice Coalition hosted a virtual Tele-Townhall to hear community leaders and organizers discuss the future of housing, renters rights, and affordability in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

Featured panelists:

– Greg Casar, Council Member, District 4
– Mandy De Mayo, Administrator, Neighborhood Housing & Community Development
– John Henneberger, Author, Texas Housers
– Shoshana Krieger, Project Director, Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA)
– Awais Azhar, Steering Committee, Planning Our Communities
– Chris Harris, #HomesNotHandcuffs

On April 8, 2020, Austin Justice Coalition hosted a community town-hall conversation with City of Austin’s top health officials and Human Resources director to discuss latest updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is affecting different systems an communities in Travis County.

Featured guests:
– Lola Gomez, a local photojournalist/ COVID-19 survivor.

Featured panelists:
– Stephanie Hayden, Director, Austin Public Health
– Mark E. Escott, MD, MPH, FACEP, NRP, Interim Medical Director and Health Authority, Austin Public Health
– Joya Hayes, Director, Human Resources