Opposition to the Attempted Censure of Councilwoman Crystal Chism

Dear Mayor Pro Tem and Members of the DeSoto City Council,

The Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), the largest human and civil rights organization in North Texas, stands firmly in opposition to the baseless and politically motivated attempt to censure Councilwoman Crystal Chism. Since our founding, NGAN has been committed to ensuring justice, equity, and transparency in governance, and we find it deeply troubling that Councilmembers Pierette Parker and Dinah Marks are seeking to silence an elected official for simply doing the job her constituents elected her to do—advocating for public safety, government accountability, and the well-being of the DeSoto community.

The Notice of Censure (NoC) filed against Councilwoman Chism is not only procedurally and factually flawed, but it also represents an alarming abuse of power. Nowhere in the NoC is there a citation of a violation of the City Charter, which is a requirement for censure under the DeSoto City Council Rules and Procedures (DCCRP). Instead, this is a clear attempt to use procedural mechanisms to punish Councilwoman Chism for exercising her constitutional rights and speaking out on critical issues that impact the residents of DeSoto.

As an organization that has long fought for fair and just policing in our communities, NGAN has always stood for policies that foster responsible and accountable law enforcement—not against policing itself. We strongly believe in creating local policies that ensure our police departments are trained to engage with all members of our community, particularly when individuals are experiencing mental health crises. It is shameful that in a city that is over 70% African American, we find ourselves having to educate Black council members on the need for our police department to understand mental health issues, the unique challenges faced by the Black community, and the historical relationship between African Americans and law enforcement.

Councilwoman Chism’s advocacy on police accountability and mental health awareness is necessary, not controversial. She has a duty to represent her constituents and ensure their voices are heard on matters of public safety. It is deeply disturbing that instead of engaging in meaningful discussions about these issues, certain members of the council are attempting to suppress dialogue through censure. This does not reflect leadership—it reflects fear of accountability.
We call on the DeSoto City Council to immediately dismiss this unjust and politically motivated attempt at censure. The city’s focus should be on policies that foster transparency, safety, and trust within the community—not on silencing those who dare to advocate for them. The people of DeSoto deserve leaders who are committed to real progress, not political retaliation.
We stand in solidarity with Councilwoman Chism and with the residents of DeSoto who demand fair representation, justice, and policies that reflect the needs of the people—not the interests of a few.

Sincerely,

Minister Dominique Alexander President & CEO Next Generation Action Network