The Mexican American Bar Association of Dallas was founded to maintain and elevate standards of professional conduct; to increase professional skills through continuing legal education; to improve the opportunities for and promote recognition of the capabilities of Hispanic/LatinX attorneys and judges in their roles as legal professionals, public servants, and community leaders; to facilitate member participation in pro-bono legal services; to promote a better understanding of the legal profession to the Hispanic/LatinX community and the public; to give voice to legal issues affecting the Hispanic/LatinX community, and to support greater participation in the legal profession by members of the Hispanic/LatinX community. As a bar organization of minority legal professionals representing a majority of minorities ourselves, we have seen firsthand how the education system, prison system, housing system and even the legal system disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. We understand the frustration, sadness and anger many people feel from systems that, more often than not, are stacked against them through no fault of their own.
As lawyers, we swore an oath to support the constitutions of the United States and of this state. As such, we stand behind peaceful protesters exercising their rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Sections 8 and 27 of the Texas Constitution. These peaceful protests provide a productive way for people to have their voices heard and remain fundamental to democracy in our country. Recent actions taken by the City of Dallas and partner government agencies in their handling of the protests, in particular the peaceful protest on Monday, June 1, 2020, have us very concerned. As an organization, we ask the City to reevaluate their recent conduct, put policies in place that respect individual’s rights to protest peacefully, and communicate those policies to the community.
As individuals, we know the courthouse has its limitations. On September 6, 1990, the great U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall delivered a speech before the Annual Judicial Conference of the Second Circuit and stated, “The legal system can force open doors, and sometimes-even knock down walls, but it cannot build bridges. That job belongs to you and me. The country can’t do it. Afro and White, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, our fates are bound together. We can run from each other, but we cannot escape each other. We will only attain freedom if we learn to appreciate what is different and muster the courage to discover what is fundamentally the same. America’s diversity offers so much richness and opportunity. Take a chance, won’t you? Knockdown the fences, which divide. Tear apart the walls that imprison you. Reach out. Freedom lies just on the other side. We shall have liberty for all.”
We stand with anyone who wishes to exercise their constitutional right to peacefully protest, we also implore everyone from all walks of life to reach out to one another and begin productive dialogue to determine how we can build that bridge and achieve equality and liberty in all aspects of life.
We also encourage everyone to get registered to vote and get involved in our upcoming elections to make sure future representation reflects change that is well overdue. Our organization stands poised ready to ensure everyone has a seat at the table.