Interview with João Paulo (JP) Connolly

Interview with João Paulo (JP) Connolly

At the time of this interview, João Paulo (JP) Connolly was the Organizing Director of the Austin Justice Coalition. In this role JP has helped the greater Ausftin community to fight against extreme policing and police violence, housing and displacement— specfically against Prop B— and cretaing a safer community for all. JP believes that we can and should reiamgine our communities as inclusive and sacred spaces where neighbors support each other and housing is a right, not a siginifer of wealth. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of community organizing and community building and seeks a future where communities are the foundation fro people’s safety and well-being, not government entities and white hegemonic political structure. In this interview, JP discusses the reprecussions of the passing of Prop B and how rapid gentrification in Austin is leading to community displacement— specifically impacting Austin’s communities of color and historic black neighborhoods. JP speaks about AJC’s start working with BLM protests to work against police brutality, and how they have shifted to also focus on Austin’s housing crisis and insufficient resources for mental health and addiction. Although the work is hard and often discouraging, JP maintains hope that a better future can await us if we start relying on each other.

João Paulo (JP) Connolly

Texas After Violence Project

June 11 2021

Amy Kamp, Jane Field, Emily Henry

public -- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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Video

English

Interview

tav00123

Vimeo

Amy Kamp

João Paulo (JP) Connolly

Austin, TX

1:27:48