East Side Leaders: No More Broken Promises for East Side Economic Development
April 28, 2025
“We were told there will be jobs for the communities, hotels, restaurants, stores — empty promises,” said Darīus Lemelle, a leader with St. Paul United Methodist Church-COPS/Metro during a community stakeholders meeting in January. “That we see leaders continue to allow these developers to...
Read MoreEast Side Leaders Gain Community Investment Commitments at COPS/Metro Accountability Session
April 28, 2025
“We are at a crossroads in our community,” said Fr. Dennis Schafer of Mission San Jose Parish. “San Antonio is the third poorest large city within the entire country. Will we be a city, a community that seeks good for the people or wants...
Read MoreFr. Jimmy Drennan Reflects on his Encounter with Pope Francis
April 23, 2025
Fr. Jimmy Drennan of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church reflects on his encounter with Pope Francis and how the Pontiff impacted his journey as a priest.
Read MoreHonoring the Legacy of Pope Francis
April 21, 2025
It is with great sadness that COPS/Metro joins the world in mourning the loss of Pope Francis today. Pope Francis was a friend, an ally, and a supporter of our organization because he, too, believed in our focus on social justice. He welcomed our...
Read MoreCOPS/Metro Holds South/West Side Accountability and Know Your Rights Session
April 07, 2025
On April 6, 2025, COPS/Metro convened a nonpartisan accountability session at St. John Berchman Catholic Church - drawing more than 200 leaders representing 15 institutions across San Antonio’s South and West sides. The session brought 10 city council candidates from districts 4, 5, and...
Read MoreSpurs Ownership Has Failed to Make the Case for a New Publicly Funded Stadium
March 27, 2025
[Excerpt] The whole effort has been largely shielded from the public, with meetings behind closed doors. Now that San Antonio and Bexar County have entered into an agreement to continue these conversations, the lack of transparency will likely continue. That's why we're calling...
Read MoreCOPS/Metro Leads Charge Against Project Marvel, Bexar County GOP Follows Suit
March 26, 2025
Last year, at a City-wide Action with over 1100 members, COPS/Metro came out as the first organized opposition to the use of any public funds for a new downtown stadium for the Spurs, or for the creation of a sports and entertainment district surrounding...
Read MoreCOPS/Metro Leader Atanacio Garcia Recognized in Natatorium Renaming
March 26, 2025
On March 20, 2025 the San Antonio City Council unanimously approved renaming the San Antonio Natatorium to Atanacio Garcia Natatorium, recognizing the determined COPS/Metro leader of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Catholic Church who organized his community to create the city’s first Olympic-sized public...
Read MoreBexar County Sheriff Assures COPS/Metro that Sheriff's Dept. Will Recognize Parish IDs, Works to Allay Deportation Anxieties
February 05, 2025
In front of an assembly of 1,500 COPS/Metro leaders, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar committed to recognizing parish identification cards (developed in collaboration with the Archdiocese of San Antonio and other COPS/Metro congregations) as well as training deputies to ensure their recognition. [Photo...
Read MoreCOPS/Metro Leaders Tell Judge: “Signing the MOU Gives... Message That They Can... Negotiate Behind Closed Doors.”
February 04, 2025
[Excerpt] The city still hasn’t briefed Commissioners Court on their plans for Project Marvel, [Bexar County Judge] Sakai said. “That is another part of due diligence...What exactly is this thing called Project Marvel, and who's going to pay for it?...” Bernadette "Bernie" Barrett, a...
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