The Texas Civil Rights Project, a nonprofit foundation, promotes
civil rights and economic and racial justice for poor and
low-income people throughout Texas, with offices in Austin, South
Texas, El Paso, Houston, and Odessa.
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TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT ------------------------------
1405 Montopolis Drive Austin, TX 78741-3438
512-474-5073 (telephone) 512-474-0726 (fax) web:
TexasCivilRightsProject.org
James C. Harrington
Director September 8, 2014
Mayor Ivy R. Taylor Council Members Diego M. Bernal, Keith
Toney, Rebecca J. Viagran, Rey Saldana, Shirley Gonzales, Ray
Lopez, Mari Aguirre-Rodriguez Ron Nirenberg, Joe Krier, and Mike
Gallagher Re: McManus plan for ordinance to restrict donations to
needy people Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council: This is
just to put you on notice that we will sue the city if it enacts
the unconstitutional and foolish ordinance that Chief McManus has
put forth. It is a violation of peoples First Amendment right of
expression and interferes with their First Amendment right of
religious expression. It also cruel to punish people, who are
needy; and it is contrary to Americas long tradition of charity.
Instead of a grossly imprudent redirection of police resources and
tax money, it would be better to spend that money on actually
feeding the poor and attending to those on the street with mental
disabilities. Sincerely,
Cc: Robert F. Greenblum, City Attorney
