FOR THE PRESS
For press inquiries, please contact Juan Benitez:
(512) 466-9258
juan.benitez@workersdefense.org
Recent Posts

Message From Workers Defense Board Presidents On Next Co-Executive Director National Search
To aid us in finding our next co-Executive Director and a successful transition process, The Board of Directors has engaged Strategies for Social Change (SSC). SSC is a woman of color-owned and -led capacity building and leadership development practice dedicated to working with social justice organizations nationally.

After One Year of Freedom City Policies, Community Groups Call on Austin Police Department to Fully Comply
Austin, TX — On June 14, 2018, following a long community-led campaign, the Austin City Council unanimously approved the Freedom City Policies, a community-based response to

Workers Defense Announces Emily Timm as Co-Executive Director
Workers Defense Co-Founder steps into new role in organization after 15-year tenure

Internal Documents Suggest Pattern of Undue Corporate Influence and Secrecy at Texas Workforce Commission
Documents reveal how lobbyists representing the interests of digital platform Handy coordinated with Commissioner Ruth Hughs on rule that would harm Texas workers.
Press Coverage
Progressive Policing Requires a Well-Funded War on Corporate Crime
The American Prospect | February 2, 2021
New Travis County District Attorney Reopens Batch of Police ‘Use of Force’ Investigations
The Texan | January 25, 2021
Construction workers claim wage theft at Sheldon ISD project
Houston Chronicle | January 8, 2021
A Year After Austin’s Passage of the Freedom Cities Policies, Activists Urge APD to Do Better
Austin Chronicle | June 21, 2019
‘Freedom city’ policies bring misdemeanor arrests down by more than 60 percent
Fox 7 Austin | June 19, 2019
Fox 7 Discussion: Voter Purge Investigation
Fox 7 Austin | June 5, 2019
La organización Defensa Laboral ofrece servicios para empleados inmigrantes
Univision | June 4, 2019
Texas rule limiting worker benefits in gig economy would hurt local businesses, owners say
Houston Chronicle | April 8, 2019
Austin Struggles to Adjust as SB 4 Takes Its Toll on Immigrants
Austin Chronicle | April 5, 2019
Texas Democratic Party leaders call on Trump to stop with threats
CBS Austin | April 4, 2019
Texas Workers Could Lose Employee Rights Under Proposed Rule For Gig-Economy Apps
Houston Public Media | March 27, 2019
Is Gig Work a Job? Uber and Others Are Maneuvering to Shape the Answer
New York Times | March 26, 2019
How Silicon Valley Lobbyists Secretly Pushed Texas Regulators to Rewrite the Rules of the Gig Economy
Texas Observer | March 24, 2019
Thousands of Texans on the hook for payroll taxes they shouldn’t have to pay
KVUE | March 11, 2019
“Troubling Data” From APD on ICE
Austin Chronicle | March 8, 2019
Austin Police Shared Data With Federal Immigration Officials More Than 500 Times In 2018
KUT 90.5 | March 1, 2019