Updates from the 10th Episcopal District Social Justice and Social Action Ministry

By Rev. Dr. Micael Waters, 10^th Episcopal District

In this article, we wish to highlight some of the work of the 10^th Episcopal District’s Social Justice and Social Action Ministry. As you well know, we are fighting on several fronts in Texas. Not only have we faced the fight over redistricting, but also the Department of Justice uncovered that youth in detention in Texas faced the worst abuses in the nation, including sexual assault while in custody. I interviewed with Roland Martin about this crisis last year. 

See the DOJ report below:

https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-finds-unconstitutional-conditions-five-texas-juvenile-justice-facilities

The links below are highlights from our various responses. Please find:

– Flyer from the Fight the Trump Take Over Rally in Austin, Texas, featured myself, Beto O’Rourke, Dolores Huerta, and others. Also, please find the link to the rally below (I opened the rally at around the timestamp 18:20):

– Video of the Tenth Episcopal District’s Advocacy Day in Austin featuring interviews with Bishop Brailsford, Supervisor Brailsford, and me:

– Video of my speech for the 160^th Emancipation Day Service (Juneteenth) at Reedy Chapel AME Church in Galveston, Texas, at which President Biden was the special guest:

– Dallas Observer article noting our work in Dallas County, which has inspired additional actions across Texas to address Juvenile Justice concerns. By the grace of God, we were able to hold the line and to help defeat a new proposed bill to increase the number of detention centers rather than invest in communities to help youth:

Also, our church, Abundant Life, was featured on the front page of the Dallas Morning News this week, noting our work in collaboration with the Lone Star Justice Alliance to address youth violence—the Rev. Atty. Yulise Reaves Waters, chief innovations officer at LSJA, led this initiative. Due to her legal reform work, the Rev. Atty. Waters was also admitted into the United States Supreme Court Bar this past spring:

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/faith/2025/08/18/how-south-dallas-pastors-are-walking-by-faith-to-prevent-youth-violence-in-south

Several 10^th District members, including Presiding Elder Pamela Rivera, testified in hearings in favor of HB 200. Her testimony can be found at this link (page 7):

Here is a copy of the youth justice report that was produced:

https://www.lonestarjusticealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/final_BW_LSJA_Dallas-Youth-Safety-Collaborative.pdf

Again, we are working on several fronts in Texas, and these are a few recent highlights of our efforts. Not included are the numerous strategy sessions, GOTV initiatives, and other issues of concern in which we continued to be engaged.