Advocacy Group Demands Local State School Be Closed

An advocacy group called Community Now is demanding the closure of the Corpus Christi State School.

CORPUS CHRISTI - An advocacy group called Community Now is demanding the closure of the Corpus Christi State School.

The protesters believe that Civil Rights violations are being committed on an ongoing basis there and since the campus has had problems for several years, they think it cannot be reformed and want it closed immediately.

About a dozen protesters, many wheel-chair bound, gathered at the Capitol.

They're demanding Governor Rick Perry take a closer look at the issues with the state schools and close down the Corpus Christi campus, especially because of the fight-club allegations and fears of abuse against the patients.

Moreover, they want Addie Horn fired from her job with the Department of Aging and Disabilities; she oversees the Corpus Christi State School.

The leader of Community Now said they have filed Civil Rights complaints in Washington against the state school. They're asking Perry to take protective measures now.

"We are appalled at what happened in Corpus Christi with the fight clubs and the patients. We are calling for an immediate closure of that facility. We do not think that place can be fixed," Community Now's Jeff Garrison-Tate said. "Even if we're not heard, someone needs to stand up for the people that don't have a voice here I mean there were 53 preventable deaths last year. Who cried for them? Who was at their graveside?"

Just last month, Perry declared the state school problems an emergency after the Department of Justice found numerous problems at the schools across the state.

Online Reporter: Lauren Williamson