Open Letter To Our Elected Officials From the Family of Javier Ambler
State Representative Sheryl Cole and I have been asked to introduce the family of Javier Ambler as they seek solace, support, and justice following the senseless death of their son and brother in the custody of Williamson county deputy sheriffs.
We are honored to have been asked and are grateful for the example they have set, the bravery they continue to show, and the message and challenge they have chosen to relay, particularly on the first day of early voting here in Texas.
Join us as we #standforJavier, the Ambler family, and countless other Central Texans and Americans standing against the systemic inequity that threatens our communities and our country.
Open Letter To Our Elected Officials From the Family of Javier Ambler
On March 28, 2019, the life of our son Javier Ambler was ended in the custody of Williamson County deputy sheriffs for reasons hidden from our family for over 14 months. We learned of the horrific, highly unusual circumstances while being interviewed by a local television reporter on June 8, 2020.
We will continue to pursue justice in our family’s chapter of this all-too-familiar American tragedy and are grateful for the outpouring of support by a nation despairing at the mounting number of similar injustices.
However, we also recognize that many of those offering condolence while hoping for a return to calm are grieving a past that never existed. The current state of our politics, the current morale of our country, the current systemic failures in America’s infrastructure, economy, healthcare, and future are not new to all Americans.
For the American black community, inequity has always existed — there has never been a past that was better. It has long been our burden, serving as an ever-present anchor to our family life, our community, our potential.
Senators Cornyn and Cruz and Rep. Williams, #standforJavier by working for a better America. Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, #standforJavier by working for a better Texas. If you’re a candidate running for any office, you should #standforJavier by publicly committing to work for the better future we’ve all earned and we all share.
This is not something we should disagree on, this is not a political dividing line. Justice isn’t red and it isn’t blue. #standforJavier and help us. Deliver fairness and equity in our policing, policies, and politics. Remove systemic inequity and practice bias toward fairness and parity in your work as public servants.
And please, all candidates, incumbents and challengers: Listen to and help us tell Javier’s story. #standforJavier by exploring and discussing the causes of his death and propose solutions to make a better world an anchor of YOUR potential.
Because voters will be there to #standforJavier, too.
