Activist drop off hundreds of petitions to urge Pelaez and Rocha-Garcia to support a Cite and Release Ordinance
SAN ANTONIO, TX — On Friday, October 22nd, members of SA Stands, a local coalition who has worked the past three years to reduce arrests via a cite and release ordinance, will deliver more than 500 petition signatures from San Antonio residents that support reducing arrests in their communities to the offices of Councilman Pelaez and Councilwoman Rocha-Garcia
During the May city council elections, SA Stands sent candidate questionnaires asking whether council candidates would support and introduce a cite and release ordinance within their first 100 days in office— Pelaez answered ‘yes’ but has done nothing, while Rocha-Garcia has refused to meet with the group altogether.
“A cite and release ordinance will greatly reduce discriminatory policing against Black and other communities of color. It will save money in police and jail upkeep, which can be spent on other needs such as housing and public health,” stated Carolina Canizales, an SA Stands leader. Since 2019, SAPD has implemented an administrative cite and release policy, but SA Stands is urging city council to permanently codify this policy into an ordinance to ensure an increase in the number of citations issued by police officers. The last two years of data continue to show racial disparities in who officers cite for offenses like marijuana possession, theft and driving with an invalid license.
Activists will drop off petitions to these respective council offices, have speakers highlight the lack of leadership on this issue, and ask that councilmembers publicly support an ordinance or not be a barrier.
WHEN: Friday, October 22, 2021 12-1:30 PM CT
WHERE: 12pm- Pelaez District 8 Office (13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78249)
1:05pm Rocha-Garcia District 4 Office (5102 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242
NOTES FOR MEDIA: Speakers available for comment before and after the event
SPEAKERS INCLUDE: (All members of SA Stands coalition)
Ananda Tomas, ACT 4 SA
Rodney Brown, Texas Organizing Project
Carolina Canizales, Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Deborah Ponce, RAICES
SA Stands is a strong non-partisan collaborative in the city of San Antonio and Bexar County that believes no human being is disposable and works towards the abolishment of systems that are inherently racist and dehumanizing. Through organized campaigns, advocacy efforts, community education, and direct action, SA Stands will mobilize against any laws and efforts that criminalize, incarcerate, deport and divide our communities. For more information visit sastands.org