En español: bit.ly/ocofspanish

Our moral courage compels us to condemn in the strongest possible terms the failed leadership of Mayor Eric Johnson, City Manager T.C. Broadnax, and Dallas Police Chief, Ulisha Rene Hall. People’s anger, due to the public murder of George Floyd at the hands of four police officers, has resulted in protests worldwide, including in our beloved city of Dallas. His murder showcases the deeply entrenched systems of violence, anti-Blackness, and oppression upheld by policing in this country and the city of Dallas is no exception. Our communities are still grieving over Botham Jean, Clinton Allen, Genevieve Dawes and countless others who have been killed by Dallas police officers. And we have the constitutional right to express our grief and anger in public protest. How DPD officers were directed to respond with brute force at this moment is a reflection of failed leadership. Efforts to discuss solutions, policy, and proactive measures to preserve dignity and lives here locally have been met with arrogance, disregard, and an unclear path forward. It has become clear that there is a need to move beyond reform and instead focus on the redistribution of resources into our communities and work to undermine the systemic racism and culture of violence. It is clear this vision of a stronger Dallas is not shared by Mayor Eric Johnson, City Manager T.C. Broadnax, and Dallas Police Chief, Ulisha Rene Hall.

Monday night, 674 protesters were detained and intentionally criminalized by an arbitrary curfew. Both sides of the bridge were blocked and protesters, including children and people of various health conditions, were ambushed by the police with gas canisters and excessive force. This comes after a weekend of Dallas police deploying tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber-like pellets on thousands of community members coming together in grief and anger. The excessive use of tear gas also exasperates the public health crisis of COVID-19 among vulnerable populations. Dallas police officers have received training and should deescalate all situations involving protesters. These types of oppressive measures are unwarranted and discredit Dallas’ claims’ to be a “welcoming city.”  We demand the immediate resignation of Dallas Police Chief Ulisha Rene Hall.  We are also putting Mayor Johnson and T.C. Broadnax on notice. Put aside your differences and lead and manage this city by aggressively responding to COVID-19 and not toward residents righteously protesting in defense of Black lives. We live in a city that has divested from protecting our residents and instead invested in criminalization, surveillance, and mass incarceration. We demand that you reimagine public safety beyond policing Black people, who have borne the brunt of neglect by our city for decades, and prioritize public well-being this budget cycle.

We deserve the #freedomtothrive and a #saferdallas for all.

Organizational Signatories:

*Our City, Our Future
*Dallas Black Clergy
*Mothers Against Police Brutality
*Take Back Oak Lawn

Individual Signatories: bit.ly/ocofsignatures