The killing of George Floyd by police in Minnesota brings about no new revelations or bold statements to share. That Black people are continuously and systematically targeted and brutalized by the "the New Jim Crow" system of mass incarceration is not breaking news. But the video of the slaughter stings nonetheless. My heart cries for his family and loved ones. I stand in solidarity with those protesting for justice, and for a nation that truly advances equity, protection, freedom and justice for all. Yet, here we are searching for words again, after another horrific killing of a Black man at the hands of police brutality.
His name was George Floyd. We know his name. We must say his name.
George Floyd was a
Houston native and a graduate of Jack Yates High School
. He was a father and moved to Minneapolis in 2018. Monday he was killed in Minneapolis police custody after a white police officer kneeled on his neck while arresting him. Floyd expressed that he could not breathe and the officer ignored him and kept his knee on his neck. Innocent until proven guilty is supposed to be the standard in our country but sadly individuals from communities of color know this to be an alternate truth, one that never reaches the people who come from certain neighborhoods and backgrounds.
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At today's George Floyd March in
Downtown Houston.
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There are no easy answers to fixing an oppressive and discriminatory justice system that targets people of color, the poor, and Black people in particular. We must have sustained action and commitment to changing these entrenched and systematic structures of oppression. We stand on the shoulders of generations before us who were willing to sacrifice to advance the cause of freedom and justice, and we have duty to pay it forward.
Dr. King Jr. said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." But that arc does not bend on its own. It takes each and every one of us to do our part. And we cannot reach justice without facing hard truths. The current criminal justice system fails communities of color repeatedly. Mass incarceration, plea mills, fines, fees and bail amounts that oppress the poor, racial profiling and discriminatory laws continue to target vulnerable communities disproportionately.
Reform must happen at all levels of government and within every framework of our nation. We must all take this personal. People are protesting during a global pandemic because they are far too familiar with the lack of justice. They have seen their rights and lives be equated to nothing when there are no arrests, no convictions and no justice for their neighbors, loved ones and friends.
We must continue to raise our voices and call for justice for all people, a cry we have sounded off for decades and will continue to do so until everyone experiences a nation where there is truly "equal justice for all".
COVID-19 Relief Fund Launches
Economic relief for Harris County's most vulnerable is on the way.
Last Commissioners Court meeting, we made a promise to help our neighbors by using a Harris County's emergency fund to create the $30 million Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund because it is our duty to provide relief to those who need it when our neighbors are facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis.
Since it was approved at court, Precinct One staff has been working alongside Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) -- the fund managers -- to get the program up and running. Yesterday, the fund website --
harriscountyrelief.org -- launched.
The next step in the process is slated to begin in June. This step will get the funds into the hands of those who need it most by working with community-based organizations that have already identified residents in need. Residents can be easily connected to one of the participating nonprofits by visiting 211texas.org.
The second stage of distributing the funds will be t
hrough a public intake process in which everyone will have the opportunity to apply online or by phone. We are using a multilingual call center to accept and screen applicants. Since we expect to have more requests than funding, those who apply will then be randomly selected to benefit from the fund. A nonprofit will verify that selected applicants meet all eligibility requirements.
Although we won't be able to help everyone, all Harris County residents earning at or below 60% of the area median income can apply. However, to spread assistance as much as possible, individuals who received the City of Houston rental assistance will NOT be eligible.
This fund will help keep 20,000 to 25,000 of our most vulnerable residents -- who were already living paycheck to paycheck -- from losing everything in the midst of this crisis.
I want to thank County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Adrian Garcia for voting in support of our much needed COVID Relief Fund.
Residents can go to 211texas.org to be connected to one of the nonprofits and get the most up-to-date information on harriscountyrelief.org.
Fair and Free Elections
Our democracy is based on fair and free elections. Last week, Commissioners Court took an important step in ensuring register voters are confident in our local voting system by appointing an interim Harris County Clerk. Christopher Hollins, who will take office on June 1, will replace Diane Trautman who resigned on May 9 due to health concerns. Hollins will hold the position until a new clerk is chosen by voters in the November 3 election.
As I've said before, voting by mail is the safest and most secure way to ensure that our democratic process is not negatively impacted by the pandemic. No one should have to risk their health to exercise their constitutional right. However, the battle over whether all registered Texas voters will be able to vote by mail in upcoming elections is still waging. The Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the risk of contracting COVID-19 does not qualify as a disability and therefore does not allow voters the ability to request a mail-in ballot.
If you are a registered voter 65 and older, you are still able to apply to vote by mail. The application can be found here. We will continue to keep you informed about the latest updates regarding voting by mail and voter protections that will be implemented in the upcoming July and November elections.
COVID-19: Veteran Emergency Financial Assistance
The COVID-19 crisis has brought an astonishing effect to our country's economy; so quickly that many of us were caught off guard and unprepared. Harris County Veteran Services Department, in conjunction with Texas Veterans Commission, has received limited emergency funding to provide short-term financial assistance for Veterans and their families who have been impacted by COVID-19.
This specific program will prioritize the most vulnerable and under-served in our communities; funding is limited, so please apply now. To qualify, the Veteran or family member must reside in Harris County and provide proof of job loss or reduced income as of March 1, 2020. Documentation includes ID's, DD214, financial disclosure, vacate/eviction notice, utility bills indicating expense and other documents as required. This funding does not include mortgage assistance. If a Veteran does not qualify for this specific program, the department may provide referrals to other programs.
To begin the application process, contact Harris County Veteran Services Department (281) 876-6600.
