Civil Rights Organizations To Demand Answers About DPS Shooting of Unarmed Passengers; Vigil Afterwards
For Immediate Release
Contact: Dotty Griffith, ACLU of Texas; (832) 291-4776 or [email protected]
BROWNSVILLE -- A coalition of civil rights organizations, including the ACLU of Texas, LUPE (La Unión Del Pueblo Entero), Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network, and Texas Civil Rights Project will hold a press briefing on Thursday, November 1, at 2 p.m. in the Lower Rio Grande Valley near the town of La Joya.
Audio and video of the press conference will be available on the ACLU of Texas website by 4:30 p.m.; also a copy of ACLU of Texas letter to Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw (embargoed until 3 p.m.)
Speakers representing each group will address issues of public safety, government accountability, use of force policies, and demand a full investigation of a recent incident that resulted in the shooting deaths of two unarmed passengers by a Department of Public Safety sharpshooter who fired from a helicopter while in pursuit of a suspect vehicle.
Members of the community will gather afterwards for a vigil to remember the lives of the two Guatemalan fathers who were killed and pray for the recovery of another man injured during the indiscriminate law enforcement barrage.
The briefing and vigil will be held near the site of the incident, north of the town of La Joya, at the intersection of FM 2221 (Jara Chinas Road) and Mile 7 Road.
What: Media briefing
When: Thursday, November 1, 2 p.m.
Where: North of the town of La Joya, at the intersection of FM 2221 (Jara Chinas Road) and Mile 7 Road
Why: Demand answers and accountability about unwarranted fatal shooting of unarmed persons
Who: ACLU of Texas, LUPE, Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network, Texas Civil Rights Project
