KILLEEN, TX (Tuesday, January 11, 2022) – On Friday, January 14, 2022 at 10:00am CT, the voter engagement and mobilization organization, Ground Game Texas, will hold a press conference to announce a new ballot initiative campaign to decriminalize possession of marijuana in Killeen and Harker Heights, Texas.
The initiative, launched in partnership with local community groups and leaders such as former Mayor Pro-Tem Shirley Fleming and candidate for County Commissioner Louie Minor, will amend the Killeen city code to decriminalize low-level marijuana offenses. Last month, with the help of local organizations, Ground Game Texas successfully secured a ballot initiative in Austin to decriminalize marijuana and ban no-knock police warrants.
“In a quickly growing and thriving community like Killeen, there’s no excuse for the continued over-policing and incarceration of community members for marijuana use,” said Julie Oliver, Executive Director of Ground Game Texas. “On the heels of our successful ballot campaign in Austin, we’re proud to partner with local leaders to launch similar efforts in Killeen and Harker Heights — to end the war on drugs and the disproportionate policing of communities of color.”
Nearly 80% of those arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession in Killeen are African-American, while Black residents only make up 40% of the community’s population. Local veterans have routinely lobbied elected officials to reform cannabis laws, citing its benefits in treating pain management.
Details for FRIDAY press conference:
WHAT: press conference to announce Killeen, Texas ballot initiative campaign
WHO: Representatives from Ground Game Texas
WHERE: 1808 E. Rancier Ave., Killeen, Texas 76541
WHEN: Friday, January 14 at 10:00 am CT
RSVP: Email press@groundgametexas.org to RSVP or request interviews.
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About Ground Game Texas
Ground Game Texas is a voter engagement and mobilization organization founded by Register2Vote leaders Julie Oliver and Mike Siegel in 2021. Based in Austin, Ground Game Texas seeks to organize voters community-by-community, collaborating with partners on the ground to meet voters at their doors and push for popular progressive policies across the state of Texas.
Source: Campaign email