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Austin honors Kathy Mitchell with proclamation recognizing long career in policy and advocacy
Summary
City Council members and community leaders honored Kathy Mitchell for decades of policy advocacy in criminal justice and civil-rights work, presenting a proclamation and tributes at a Sept. 25 ceremony.
Austin city leaders on Sept. 25 presented a proclamation honoring Kathy Mitchell as she announced her retirement, with speakers crediting her decades of policy advocacy on criminal justice, police oversight and equity work in Austin and statewide.
Council member Mike Siegel read a proclamation that noted Mitchell’s longtime work with nonprofit organizations including Consumers Union, Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, Just Liberty and Equity Action. The proclamation described her as a co‑founder and senior advisor at Equity Action and credited her as “a lead author of the Austin Police Oversight Act.”
Chris Harris, a longtime friend who introduced Mitchell at the event, called her work “prolific and relentless,” saying he was “so thankful to have gotten a chance to work with you day in and day out.” Siegel said the proclamation was presented on behalf of Mayor Kirk Watson and the City Council; he read the official text and invited Mitchell to speak.
Mitchell, speaking after the proclamation, reflected on incremental reforms and their real‑world effects. She said, “I’m not dead. I’m just retiring,” and added that she expected to remain active in advocacy through community engagement and volunteer activities.
Speakers credited Mitchell with contributions to reforms including police oversight, corroborating-evidence requirements in drug cases and other criminal justice changes. The ceremony emphasized her role in local ballot and policy campaigns and her ongoing community involvement; no formal council action or vote accompanied the proclamation.
