plan of action - march 6, 2017

 

Rosa Ortega Update and Action


Rosa Ortega, the Mexican-born Texas woman who was sentenced to 8 years in prison followed by deportation for voting in this country, has been released on bond. Here is an update from her trial attorney, Clark Birsdall:

​​"Thank you everyone for your letters and support. I know many of you wrote letters to the judge and the governor, and your letters were heard. It may only be temporary, but Rosa has been let out of jail and reunited with her kids. Every one of you deserve a pat on the back. There still IS room in this world to influence and change things. There's no other explanation for Rosa's freedom.

"I do not think the government was ready for the public opinion pushback they got from you and others.

"With the money you donated, Rosa will be able to resume possession of her kids and restart her life. This truly is an amazing story of human resilience. Thank you all!"

Rosa Ortega’s ill treatment is precisely indicative of the kind of xenophobia and control-mania which threatens to engulf our country. So let’s continue to speak out for her. Because she has been released pending appeal, let’s write or email to express our relief and thankfulness to some of the parties involved. Judge Catalano agreed to release Rosa on bond and ICE agreed to drop its hold on her; Governor Abbott and the DA just need to hear we support Rosa, are happy she is free, and would like charges to be dropped.

Governor Greg Abbott,                                        Tarrant County District Attorney
PO.Box 12428                                                         100 E. Weatherford
Austin, Texas 78711                                                Fort Worth, TX 76196
online contact form                                            817-884-1400

ICE, Enforcement & Removal                                  State District Judge Robb Catalano
Dallas Field Office                                                 The Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, 7th Floor 
8101 N. Stemmons Frwy                                       401 West Belknap
Dallas, TX, 75247                                                    Fort Worth, TX  76196-0215
Dallas.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov                             online contact form    

If you wish, you may donate to Rosa’s family here.