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Vision/Mission
History
Press Highlights
Policy Work
Community Power

austinjusticecoalition

Woohoo! Thank you for supporting Austin Justice Co

Woohoo! Thank you for supporting Austin Justice Coalition during @amplifyatx. We were able to raise over $50,000 in just 24 hours. This would not be possible without you all. The team cannot thank you enough for supporting our work. #theworkcontinues

#ilivehereigivehere #austinjusticecoalition

Our hope is to leave the world a little better tha

Our hope is to leave the world a little better than when we arrived and because of your donations we are able to do that.

Today is the final day for @amplifyatx . Our goal is $50,000 and we are currently at $17,179. Here’s a fun fact, if each of our followers donated $2, we’d reach our goal. So today we ask, “What will you give to make the world better?”

To donate, link in bio.

#ilivehereigivehere #austinjusticecoalition

#AmplifyAustin is finally here and we are so excit

#AmplifyAustin is finally here and we are so excited to be participating. The real success of Amplify Austin Day will not be how much money we raise but the tremendous impact those dollars will have when we put them to work! Help us reach our goal of $50,000. Join the giving on March 4th - 5th. Link in bio.

#ilivehereigivehere #austinjusticecoalition

"Perceptions of the police in their community and

"Perceptions of the police in their community and of law enforcement officers in their school varied depending on students’ race and ethnicity. Specifically, compared to their White peers, Asian, Black, and Latino students in this sample reported feeling less safe with the police in their communities.”

Read more, link in bio.

We want to hear from you…

After reading this article, What resonated with you?

#austinjusticecoalition

In the early 70’s the first school monitor (SRO)

In the early 70’s the first school monitor (SRO), stricter discipline policies, drug and law enforcement programs, and increased hall monitors were all introduced to AISD schools in response to Black students being bused to White schools.

This racist response to the mere presence of our Black children continues to this day. You can see that increased presence of SRO’s and the use of stricter policies and practices can be found in AISD schools with mostly Black and Brown students and are less prevalent at schools with mostly White students.

We want to hear from you…

What policies and practices can AISD implement on every campus and office to ensure anti-racist, equitable, safe spaces?

Research/Design by @lauramorrisonpibel

#austinjusticecoalition #ajceducation #srohistory #schooltoprisonline #investinourchildren #atxajc #blackchildrenmatter

“Data shows that the presence of school-based me

“Data shows that the presence of school-based mental health providers not only improves outcomes for students, but can also improve overall school safety.

By contrast, there is no evidence that increased police presence in schools improves school safety. Indeed, in many cases, it causes harm. When in schools, police officers do what they are trained to do, which is detain, handcuff, and arrest. This leads to greater student alienation and a more threatening school climate.”

The recommended ratio for students to counselors is 250:1 and currently students to counselors ratio in Texas is 434:1.

Read more, link in bio.

We want to hear from you…

After reading this article, What resonated with you?

#austinjusticecoalition #educationajc #atxajc #historyofsros #mentalhealth #investinourchildren

It was all good just a year ago. 😅 Literally a

It was all good just a year ago. 😅 Literally a couple weeks before we were all put on lockdown due to COVID-19, we threw our annual art show and fundraiser, “Black Art Matters.” This show is one of our favorite events because we mix fun with our work. Black Art Matters creates a space for black and brown artist to share their talent with the Austin. A city that many of these artist often feel unseen because of the lack of access to venues, events, people, etc...
Typically we hold this event in February during Black History Month but due to COVID, we’ve had to change the date. BUT be on the look-out soon for the details. We are cooking up something special for 2021.
#blackartmattersatx #austinjusticecoalition #blackhistorymonth365 #blackartistconnected #brownartistsmatter

The Texas House is taking public comment before th

The Texas House is taking public comment before the hearing on Thursday, February 25th about the statewide power outage.

You get 3000 characters.

SHARE YOUR STORY!

Tell the Texas House how you have been impacted. Your story and truth deserve to be heard! (Link in bio)

#austinjusticecoalition

"Research shows that SROs contribute to feelings o

"Research shows that SROs contribute to feelings of alienation, disengagement, distrust of authority and lower educational outcomes.”

“There are so many other ways that Austin ISD could explore really creating a holistic school environment for young people that doesn’t involve investing in police and security and surveillance.”
-Andrew Hairston, Texas Appleseed

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that there are significant links between police and poor health outcomes.

Why do we police youth if it decreases mental health and educational outcomes?

We want to hear from you…

What are some practices that schools can put into place that increase mental, physical, and emotional health while also creating safe spaces for our students?

Research/Design by @lauramorrisonpibel

#austinjusticecoaltion #educationajc #educatorsinsolidarity #historyofsros #mentalhealth #investinourchildren

We worked nonstop in our community making sure we

We worked nonstop in our community making sure we helped anyone we could. Our volunteers and staff were available around the clock to serve our community. And we couldn’t have done it without you all.
The last couple days have shown the aftermath of the winter storm are equally, if not harder on people who soldiered through. Your donations helped us provide food, water, and supplies to +500 people most of them children and elderly. As well as provide warmth and shelter to people coming out of jail and our neighbors in need. So from the AJC staff and team, we say thank you! ❤️🙏🏽

#austinjusticecoalition

We converted part of the Austin Justice Coalition

We converted part of the Austin Justice Coalition space at Servant Church into a temporary shelter for community members that need to stay warm and fed. There’s still plenty of space for anyone who needs it. Please let people know where we are located and send a DM if you know of anyone who needs help.

1605 E. 38 1/2 Street
Austin, Texas
78722

Donations we need are blankets, socks, and gloves.

Thank you to everyone who’s helped us provide for our community. From the cots, food, water, etc... This is what community looks like.

#austinjusticecoalition

“As I walked down the hall, one of the police of

“As I walked down the hall, one of the police officers employed in the school noticed I did not have my identification badge with me. Before I could explain why I did not have my badge, I was escorted to the office and suspended for an entire week. … Walking to the bus stop, a different police officer pulled me over and demanded to know why I was not in school. As I tried to explain, I was thrown into the back of the police car.” —MICHAEL REYNOLDS, 17, testifying before the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing

“These collateral consequences are not experienced equitably.”

Read more: Link In Bio

We want to hear from you…

After reading this article, What resonated with you?

#austinjusticecoalition #atxajc #investinourchildren #historyofSROs

Swipe left for your ways you can help your local c

Swipe left for your ways you can help your local community.

• We are currently seeking 30 small cots or mats that can be used as temporary beds for those seeking shelter. If anyone would like to contribute or knows of any available, we have a mobile driver who can pick them up.

• Conserve energy where you can. Only use essential lights when necessary and keep your thermostat at 68 or below.

#austinjusticecoalition

Knowing that the introduction and increase of SROs

Knowing that the introduction and increase of SROs in schools was in response “to the perceived threat that school-based crime was on the rise. These fears centered particularly on violence and drug use, which data shows were not actually increasing.” The fact that violence and drug use were not increasing points to the fact that these fears were actually based on racial bias in response to recently enforced desegregation.

This quote from Maya Lindberg and the data in this post point to the fact that SROs were not introduced to schools to ensure student safety. Centering the students when focusing on their safety needs means that we get curious about what safety means to them and prioritize implementing their expressed needs.

We want to hear from you…

What ways can school leadership and the Austin community help ensure student safety in school?

Research/Design by @lauramorrisonpibel

#austinjusticecoaltion #atxajc #educationajc #historyofajc #investinourchildren

The ATX Mobility Coalition will be holding a commu

The ATX Mobility Coalition will be holding a community update session on February 13, 2021 at 2:00pm–3:30pm. This will be a virtual event that will give the community updates on the Project Connect time-line in regards to:
1) The creation of the CAC – Community Advisory Committee;
2) The creation of the equity assessment tool, and;
3) Community engagement opportunities.

There will also be opportunities for Q&A.

Spanish translation will be provided for the event.

This event is hosted by:
• People United for Mobility Action (PUMA)
• Austin Justice Coalition (AJC)
• Planning Our Communities (POC)
• Workers Defense Action Fund (WDAF)

Link In Bio to RSVP

#austinjusticecoalition #projectconnectatx

"The iconic cartoon character Betty Boop was inspi

"The iconic cartoon character Betty Boop was inspired by a Black jazz singer in Harlem. Introduced by cartoonist Max Fleischer in 1930, the caricature of the jazz age flapper was the first and most famous sex symbol in animation. Betty Boop is best known for her revealing dress, curvaceous figure, and signature vocals “Boop Oop A Doop!” While there has been controversy over the years, the inspiration has been traced back to Esther Jones who was known as “Baby Esther” and performed regularly in the Cotton Club during the 1920s.

Baby Esther’s trademark vocal style of using “boops” and other childlike scat sounds attracted the attention of actress Helen Kane during a performance in the late 1920s. After seeing Baby Esther, Helen Kane adopted her style and began using “boops” in her songs as well. Finding fame early on, Helen Kane often included this “baby style” into her music. When Betty Boop was introduced, Kane promptly sued Fleischer and Paramount Publix Corporation stating they were using her image and style. However video evidence came to light of Baby Esther performing in a nightclub and the courts ruled against Helen Kane stating she did not have exclusive rights to the “booping” style or image, and that the style, in fact, pre-dated her.

Baby Esther’s “baby style” did little to bring her mainstream fame and she died in relative obscurity but a piece of her lives on in the iconic character Betty Boop."

#austinjusticecoalition #blackhistory365 #blackhistoryfacts #blackhistoryeveryday #atxajc

This summer we saw young people at the forefront o

This summer we saw young people at the forefront of protests against racial injustice, but their voices are often overlooked in the conversations we have. So, what can we do to make sure that the youth are being heard? And how can we support their efforts to advance racial equity?
This Thursday 2/11 at 5:30pm, teens and staff from Creative Action, an arts-based youth development organization in Central Texas, will discuss how young people view racial justice and what we can do to empower the youth in our lives.

This week’s panelists include:

Dawn Burnside, Senior Director of Racial Equity and Social Justice, Creative Action

Natalie Goodnow, School-based Program Director, Creative Action

Young people from Creative Action Teen programs

Moderator: Karen LaShelle, Executive Director, Creative Action

You can also join the Central Texas Collective for Racial Equity on Tuesday at 6:00 pm for Path to Equity: The Aftershow, an in-depth recap into each week’s episodes through the perspective of Central Texas thought leaders who will share personal reactions, insights and perspectives! #EquityATX

For more information or to register: Link In Bio

#austinjusticecoaltion #pathtoracialequity

Fact 1: Schools are safer now than they ever have

Fact 1: Schools are safer now than they ever have been.

Fact 2: Schools are already very safe and school shootings are not increasing.

Fact 3: Increased security does not make schools safer.

Fact 4: Police officers do not make schools safer”

Press the link in bio to learn more about the research that supports Fact 1- 4.

We want to hear from you…

After reading this article, What resonated with you?

@boundlessnetwork created this awesome artist-des

@boundlessnetwork created this awesome artist-designed apparel collection that gives back! Each purchase represents a $5 donation towards inclusion, racial equity, and amplifying Black creative voices.

Benefitting Austin Justice Coalition and featuring work from some of our fav #blackartists Kwanzaa Edwards @empty_holiday + Lakeem Wilson @naturalborn.studios.

Wear your support: Link In Bio

#austinjusticecoaltion #blackcreatives #supportblackartist #blackartistmatter #blackhistory365 #createunitebelong

"For someone to suggest that SROs prevent school s

"For someone to suggest that SROs prevent school shootings is absolutely UNFOUNDED in terms of science. There’s no support for that statement at all.” -Thomas J. Mowen, Associate Professor of Sociology at Bowling Green State University

We find that when talking about the need for Austin ISD to divest from policing this is one of the first justifications of police in schools we tend to hear. And yet evidence shows that since 1999 there has only been a 1.5% success rate of SRO’s intervening in a school shooting.

“Among all schools that experienced a school shooting over the past two decades, the number of injuries and deaths was actually higher – about 2.5 times higher – in schools that had a SRO.”

Austin Independent School District...
spent $1.7 million on more police officers, cameras, enhanced background checks, and a bus tracking system. This included adding five officers to the AISD Police Department’s 78-officer force.

We know that Austin ISD is capable of doing a better job of creating safety without fear for our children.

We want to hear from you…

What do you think can be used in place of School Resource Officers (SRO’s) to help prevent school violence?

Research/Design by @lauramorrisonpibel

#austinjusticecoalition #atxajc #educationajc #srohistory #investinourchildren

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