This article was originally published September 29, 2024 at 4pm CST and was updated September 30, 2024 at 5:45 am CST.
Dallas, TX – Members of the Dallas Weekly team spent the past Saturday immersed in civic engagement around the city, attending two significant events that highlighted the importance of education and community involvement.
The morning began at Paul Quinn College, the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in Dallas. The exclusive event featured a special appearance by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who engaged in a Q&A session with the college’s president Dr. Michael J. Sorrell. The discussion showcased and highlighted the potential for collaboration and progress across state lines as the Maryland Governor drew parallels between the two states.
The morning provided high school and college students with valuable lessons in leadership, policy, and the intersection of education and governance as Governor Moore shared insights into his life, career, and offered valuable advice to the young students in attendance. The students also were in for additional surprises in the form of pop up visits from U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett, Texas Senator Royce West and several additional elected officials and community leaders who showed up to round out the room.
Following a morning at Paul Quinn College with Governor Wes Moore, the Dallas Weekly team made a notable appearance at the Civilized Fest at Cedar Valley Community College, founded and hosted by Shy Speaks. The festival was dedicated to civic education and engagement, featuring a diverse lineup of speakers, artists, and performers – including a headlining performance by rapper Scrappy.
As a sponsor of the festival, the team had the opportunity to engage with the community and participate in a segment called “Civics 101” – named after video series, produced by the Dallas Weekly, that aims to demystify civics topics related to the city of Dallas and empower citizens with essential knowledge.
The “Civics 101” roundtable discussion allowed Dallas Weekly’s Marlissa Collier to share expertise and passion for civic education and engagement alongside Texas State Representative Carl Sherman (TX-109) and Shy Speaks. By providing clear and concise information, the team helped to bridge the gap between complex civic issues and the everyday lives of Dallas residents.
While the Civilized Festival was largely a success, there was a notable incident involving the Dallas College Police. The department set up numerous security checkpoints that the festival’s team and some attendees deemed excessive and intimidating, leading to patrons being refused entry, a delayed start, and the premature wrapping of the event an hour before the contracted end time. The incident concluded with officers lining the walls of the venue and ultimately cutting the sound as Lil’ Scrappy performed.
Though the Civilized Fest’s team released an official statement about the incident and promising to pursue legal action, the overwhelming police presence raised questions about the balance between security and public access to community events – specifically around events focused on civic engagement and voter registration efforts.
Dallas College also released an official statement on the outcome of the event.
Dallas College proudly hosts thousands of community events on our campuses, and many are repeat events year over year. Through this experience, our Dallas College Police Department prepares for and works with organizers to ensure safety for the participants and performers.
On Saturday, we hosted an event at the Dallas College Cedar Valley campus and the permitted number of participants was for 500. Through discussion with the organizers and their planned entertainment and promotion on social media channels, we had reason to believe that the number could exceed 500. Our contract with the event organizer included provisions for managing larger crowds, and as a result of this, the Dallas College Police Department added the appropriate number of officers for a group of that size while simultaneously managing the safety of participants at several ongoing events at the campus. We were pleased to have police presence to ensure safety throughout the event.
Dallas College supports the purpose of this block party – a free community gathering that featured engaging panels on empowerment and civic engagement. In addition, Dallas College was a major financial sponsor of this event.
In the best interest of everyone present, and consistent with the contract with the event organizer which provided for a 5:00 p.m. event conclusion time, Dallas College made the decision, based on the facts at the time, to conclude the event at the scheduled time, despite a request from the event organizer to extend it. We prioritize the safety and well-being of our community, and we believe this decision reflects our commitment to those values.
Overall, Dallas Weekly’s involvement with both events highlighted the importance of civic engagement, education, and community involvement in Dallas. The events provided valuable opportunities for young people to learn from leaders, connect with their community, and gain a deeper understanding of civic issues. Though without incident, the day was a testament to the Dallas Weekly’s commitment to serving its community.
The post Dallas Weekly’s Day of Civics: A Morning with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and an Afternoon at Civilized Fest appeared first on Dallas Weekly.