Below is a proclamation developed by a diverse group of Houstonians to address hateful and biased language in the community which could lead to violence. Such language is often directed at people of color, immigrants and Muslims but it can be directed at anyone in the community. Biased and hateful language serves only to harm wonderful people who are trying to live normal lives, raise their families, and who are making positive contributions to our city.

Houston Peace and Justice Center is proud to endorse this proclamation and participate in the activities introducing it to other Houstonians on April 4 (A Discussion at Rothko Chapel) and April 5 (A presentation at Houston City Council meeting).

F or immediate release: February 21, 2011

The Houston Peace and Justice Center (HPJC) decries the radical  agenda of right-wing politcians in Texas who want to pass bills that  will harm immigrants and hard-working families in the state.

HPJC is concerned that a number of bills have been introduced in the Texas Legislature that will harm immigrants - both documented and undocumented.  For example, bills have been introduced that require police officers to check the immigration status of people they  detain, require schools to check the immigration status of students,  require proof of citzenship in order to obtain a driver's license or  any occupational license, mandate English as the official language  of Texas, repeal the Texas DREAM Act, require proof of citizenship  to work in Texas, deny birth certificates to children born of  undocumented parents and impose a fee for money transmissions sent  outside the United States. These bills will lead to racial  profiling and discrimination, and several of them may be  unconstitutional.  However, they are also harmful to all Texans in  that they will create a climate of fear, increase crime and  violence, place an unnecessary burden on local law enforcement and school officals and harm the economy of the state.