AUSTIN, Texas — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI bans, and targeted ICE operations has led to a call to action from the Austin Justice Coalition (AJC).
On Wednesday, members of the coalition were joined alongside community members to condemn the actions brought forth by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the Trump administration.
Chas Moore, the founder of AJC and its organizing director, said the coalition will be expanding their Justice Access Support coalition to provide legal help, as well as relaunching their Radical Advocacy group to help people use their voice.
“This is not just about policy. This is not just about politics,” said Moore. “This is a full on, unapologetic war against marginalized people.”
Moore added they are not opposed to turning their office into a sanctuary for people afraid of ICE.
According to Austin leaders, so far, there have been more than 30 arrests in recent weeks. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis told KVUE in an exclusive interview that federal officials told them they were targeting “wanted violent offenders.”
“I just want people to know in Austin, because ICE is here doesn’t matter,” said Moore. “We’re still going to be the Austin that caused you to move here.”
Moore and others also spoke out on what they call an attack on DEI programs.
On Jan. 31, Abbott signed an executive order that directed all state agencies to cut any forms of DEI policies. In a statement regarding the order, the governor said: “DEI agendas divide us rather than unite us and have no place in the state of Texas.”
In 2023, Abbott signed SB17 into law, which banned DEI practices at public institutions of higher education.
“I’m begging and pleading not to the governor who doesn’t see us, not to the president or any of his cronies that are trying to erase us, but to the community, to good hearted people, to the people that are afraid but want to to do something about it – don’t give up,” said Moore. “Now more than ever, we cannot give up.”