By Diane Ragsdale
Former Deputy Mayor Pro Tem City of Dallas
In my years of service to our community, both on the Dallas City Council and as a lifelong social justice activist, I have never witnessed a threat to our rights as alarming as the one we face today. Propositions S, T, and U are being pushed by Monty Bennett – a January 6th rioter and Republican extremist. These propositions represent the most significant rollback of African American rights I’ve seen in my lifetime. I implore you with utmost urgency: Vote AGAINST Propositions S, T, and U.
The mastermind behind these propositions, Monty Bennett, doesn’t even live in Dallas. Ask yourself: Why is an outsider trying to rewrite our city’s rules? It’s simple: to take away our tax dollars, override our votes, and police us.
Proposition S is designed to let the rich sue our city left and right. Who has the means to take the city to court? Not our families in Oak Cliff or South Dallas. It’s the wealthy elites and corporations who’ll exploit this. And guess who’ll foot the bill for defending these lawsuits? Us – the everyday Black and Brown folks of Dallas. That’s millions in taxpayer dollars that could go towards bettering our community and improving our quality of life.
Proposition T silences our vote and voice. As a former council member, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of single-member districts. Our people, Black people fought tirelessly to establish single-member districts—to ensure our communities have the opportunity to elect representatives who genuinely reflect our needs and aspirations. Proposition T threatens to erase that legacy. It aims to hand over control of our city to an undemocratic survey of just 1,400 people which would allow for the termination of the City Manager.
Proposition U compromises our safety. This proposition wants to flood our streets with untrained officers, against the advice of our own Police Chief Eddie García, who says this rapid expansion isn’t “responsible.”
In all my years of public service, I’ve not seen a moment more urgent than this. Our hard-won rights are under direct attack. Let’s make sure our children grow up in a city that stands for justice, equity, and the value of every person.
Vote AGAINST Propositions S, T, and U—our future depends on it.
