Community holds rally opposing Rowlett’s decision to disband DEI commission
CAROLINE SAVOIE. |. Contributing Writer carolinelsavoie@gmail.com (Photos by Caroline Savoie) Four days after the community-led nonprofit DEI Community Project held a Pride event in Rowlett, dozens of residents took to the Rowlett City Hall on Tuesday, July 2, before the Rowlett City Council meeting to oppose the council’s decision to disband its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commission.
The 2023 passage of Texas Senate Bill 17 banned DEI offices, programs, training and more at public universities in Texas. Subsequently, officials in North Texas cities like Frisco and Rowlett have disbanded similar DEI initiatives of their own, a spokesperson for GLAAD said.
After the demonstration, six people spoke against the decision at the city council meeting during citizens’ input. Ramero Luna, co-founder and executive director of Somos Tejas, spoke first. “We cannot allow the harmful legislation that has been passed at the state level to impact communities of color at a local level,” he said. “These programs make me feel at home in a community.
Programs such as DEI make it so we’re intentional about diversity.” Mandi Delossantos, deputy director of Texas’ League of United Latin American Citizens, urged the council to open up the conversation about a DEI commission again. “When we walked in here we made a pledge for liberty and justice for all,” she said. “When I look at the city’s sponsored events on their calendar, I don’t see diversity there.
