VOCAL-TX hosted a mayoral candidates forum in Austin at the Central Presbyterian Church on September 12th. In attendance were mayoral candidates Kathie Tovo, Doug Greco, Jeff Bowen and Carmen Llanes Pulido.
At the forum, Alfredo Reyes, Jr. and other VOCAL-TX members asked mayoral candidates what they plan to do to address homelessness, HIV/AIDS, the drug war, and mass incarceration.
“Police, jail, and prison are used as the primary tool to address drug use in our society,” Reyes told the candidates. ”We need a Mayor that supports shifting away from Drug War approaches to drug use, and prioritizes public health strategies instead.”
“People sleeping outside are criminalized and face devastating harm through encampment sweeps,” said Barry Jones, a leader of VOCAL-TX. “We need a Mayor that understands that sweeps set a homeless person back to absolute zero. We need a Mayor that works to minimize the harms caused by sweeps.”
Austin’s mayoral election will be held on November 5, the same day as the general election. No matter who becomes mayor, VOCAL-TX looks forward to working with them to expand housing, services, and care for people across Austin and across the state.