Community Action Network (CAN) Events Scheduled In Cities Around The State 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Kirsten Bokenkamp, Communications Coordinator, ACLU of Texas, (713) 942-8146 x 109 or (832) 691-7013; [email protected]

HOUSTON – The ACLU of Texas campaign for youth rights kicks off in October with a Community Action Network (CAN) “road show” across the state to coincide with National Youth Justice Awareness Month.

ACLU of Texas CAN events are scheduled this month in Houston, Corpus Christi, Austin, and Dallas (see schedule here) with campus groups, local organizations, activists and advocacy groups. The ACLU of Texas CAN is made up of supporters across the state who work to help all Texans realize their rights by furthering the ACLU of Texas’ civil liberties campaigns.

“We are taking our show on the road to find out what’s going on in Texas communities,” said Terri Burke, Executive Director of the ACLU of Texas. “We’re drawing on the activism of our supporters to inform our work and to achieve change in their communities.” Over the coming months the ACLU of Texas will also launch campaigns to protect religious freedoms, bring about smart criminal law reform, and ensure immigrants’ rights. These campaigns will also be introduced through road shows in different cities across the state.

The ACLU of Texas Youth Rights Campaign calls for evidence-based policies and practices that keep children in school and out of the criminal justice system, and seeks to ensure equality for all Texas children.  Students of color and those with disabilities are especially vulnerable to discriminatory disciplinary practices and to being pushed out of school. 

“By working with teachers, school administrators, students, parents, and concerned community members, we will work to replace counterproductive disciplinary models with policies and practices that have been shown to create a positive, safer, and more productive school environment,” said Frank Knaack, Associate Director for Public Policy and Advocacy with the ACLU of Texas.  “Far too many Texas youth are being pushed out of school because of counterproductive disciplinary policies and unsafe school environments,” added Knaack. “We created our road show to hear what’s going on in communities and to work with local advocates to remedy those problems.”

The Youth Rights Campaign also brings attention to LGBT students, who often face bullying, harassment, and discrimination that can result in unsafe school environments, dropouts and, in some tragic situations, suicide. Another issue the ACLU of Texas youth rights campaign is working on is bringing an end to the placement of juveniles in solitary confinement.

For more information on the state of equality and school disciplinary practices in Texas, visit the Youth Rights TX website here. For more information on the ACLU of Texas Youth Rights Campaign and Road Show schedule, please click here.