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Mayor John Whitmire says the big delays at Bush and Hobby Airport are because of “…TSA employees not coming to work.” He said this at the Wednesday, 11/5, session of Houston City Council. 

The full quote is “First of all let me just thank the airport system for dealing with unbearable conditions due to TSA employees not coming to work.” It is at the one hour 26 minute point of yesterday's (11/6) Council session. Above you see Mayor Whitmire in his comments yesterday. 

There are reasons TSA staff are missing work. 

From NPR station WHYY In Philadelphia: 

​"Morale is low right now for Philadelphia International Airport worker...said Joe Shuker, Region 7 vice president for AFGE Council 100, the union representing Philly’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers.  How low? “On a scale of 1 to 10, we’re a negative-2 right now,” he said. The last paycheck that airport workers received reflected the start of the shutdown and was several hundred dollars short, Shuker said..... The lack of pay is going to stress out TSA workers who are already working high-stakes jobs. “You got us down here checking for bombs,” he said....They’re going to be distracted at some point,” he said. “They’re going to be worried about how they’re going to feed their kid, and how they’re getting to work tomorrow.”  He said some workers may not be able to cover childcare costs without subsequent paychecks. Additionally, he said he has spoken to employees who are struggling to cover the price of gas or tolls to travel to work. "

​Surely there was a union representative or advocate Mayor Whitmire could have brought to Council for public testimony about why TSA is not at work. That would have helped the public understand what the workers are enduring. 

The government shutdown due to the white supremacist, authoritarians running the country also has a lot to do with TSA employees not coming to work. 

According the Mayor Whitmire, everyone is to blame other than Donald Trump and the far-right for the federal government attacks on Houston and cities across the country. 

​Here is what Mayor Whitmire said in a recent interview with the New York Times:

“Most major cities are in turmoil,” Mr. Whitmire said. “We’re not.”.......With rhetoric escalating over immigration raids and National Guard troop deployments, Mayor Whitmire is betting that the best way to govern a large American city right now is to keep your head down.....Mr. Whitmire, in a series of interviews with The New York Times, faulted other Democratic mayors such as Brandon Johnson in Chicago and Karen Bass in Los Angeles for loud public challenges to the president over immigration enforcement and other issues that have only deepened divisions."

There is no major city in "turmoil."  To the extent there is trouble, it is because ICE is terrorizing people and federal troops are being sent where not needed. Is Mayor Whitmire telling us he'll say nothing if low-flying federal helicopters are used to raid Houston apartment buildings like we saw in Chicago?

Our abusers are the problem. Not us. Not TSA employees. Not the immigrants ICE is brutalizing. The problem is the people in power. Not the people out of power and out of a paycheck. 

When habeas corpus is suspended or Harris County elections are interfered with by the state and federal government in 2026, Mayor Whitmire will know just who to blame. 

He'll blame us. 

​I'm on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later on Egberto's YouTube channel.​​​​​

​Tomorrow, 11/4, is Week 456 of the John Cornyn Houston Office Protest. The Protest is echoing Tuesday, 11:30-1, 5300 Memorial Dr. Don't park in any private lot to avoid being towed. You can park along the side streets near the Black Walnut on Memorial. We have extra signs or bring your own. Any amount of time you join us is the correct amount of time to be with us. We are friendly.

It's essential that people see others like themselves willing to stand openly and confidently for democracy and freedom no matter the aggression and lawlessness of the right. Join us and help set the example. 

I've become a big believer in showing up as often as I can and saying much the same thing over and over. It's try to be smart and I think it takes some brains to do that. 

Here is what I said when I spoke at the Downtown Houston No Kings protest on October 18: 

My name is Neil Aquino. I’m the founder of the Houston Democracy Project. 

This event today was organized by people just like you and I. Rank & file volunteers who stepped up. The resources to stage this protest are for the most part directly from our local community. 

The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential you need is your presence. 

This protest is Downtown. But it’s at not the center. Across the Houston-region today, there are No Kings demonstrations in La Porte, Navasota, Katy, Richmond, Clear Lake, Conroe, Cypress, Pasadena, Pearland, The Woodlands, Coldspring & Bryan/College Station. 

No community is on the periphery. No person is on the periphery. We are all in this fight.  

We are at Houston City Hall. There is a mayor, a city controller and 16 council members. The Mayor is John Whitmire. The Controller is Chris Hollins. The Mayor Pro Tem is Martha Castex-Tatum. There are 10 Democrats and 6 Republicans on Council. 

Local government and local officials matter. Just last week, people in Conroe, in deeply conservative Montgomery County, went to city hall and successfully opposed an ordinance proposed by the police chief that would have restricted protest. 

Every elected official takes an oath to the Constitution. They must meet that oath. When ICE rounds up people without cause, elected officials must remember the oath they took. Call, e-mail and speak to Houston City Council. You can speak at Council most Tuesdays at 2 PM. Learn the details of the process and demand local accountability.  

Our opponents seek to criminalize political opposition and restrict free speech. They didn’t scare us off today. We are confronting authoritarians and white supremacists. It will not be inherently safe. The thing is of course, that a future under authoritarian, white supremacist government that can’t be removed, will also not be safe and it will be terrible. 

We have rights. We have First Amendment rights, and as we’ve been told over and over all our lives, we have Second Amendment rights. We have the right to show up, to speak up and to self-defense. 

We are the ones who will show up when habeas corpus is suspended, when Greg Abbott does not permit Harris County to have free and fair elections in 2026, when low flying helicopters terrorize Houston communities as we’ve seen in Chicago. 

The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential you need is your presence. No community is on the periphery. No person is on the periphery. We are all in this fight.  

I'm on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later on Egberto's YouTube channel.​​​​​
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Above you see a note a woman drove up and handed to one of our crew at last week’s John Cornyn Houston Office Protest. 

The John Cornyn Houston Office Protest is each Tuesday, 11:30-1, 5300 Memorial Dr. Next week will be Week 456. 

Here is my response to this note: 

1. Thank you for taking the time and effort to offer unsolicited acknowledgment that we are seen and heard.Good to know. How about next week you bring us lunch? 

2. We find authoritarians and white supremacists running the country to be stressful. This stress is constant rather than the 90 minutes a week we are protesting. If you are content with the insurrection attempt of January 6th, 2021, I'm certain you can take 90 minutes of lawful First Amendment activity each Tuesday. 

3. We are wary of anyone telling us that they don’t like how we protest. It is unlikely you are here to offer helpful suggestions. 

4. My father found serving as a medic in the Korean War to be stressful. He was glad though to have a hand in bringing some democracy to South Korea, and to have served in the first racially integrated combat units. 

Because of people like you, Trump pines for the approval of the North Korean dictator, hassles high-ranking Black officers and demoralizes Black enlisted men and women. My father and many like him paid a substantial price for the things you are now helping undo. 

5. We would not be here causing you upset if you had made better and more kind decisions at the ballot box. 

6. Instead of handing us a note opposing us, you should instead support us and join us. Why do you insist on compounding your error at the ballot box with this bad note? Please employ your efforts more productively.  

And as always to everyone reading this: The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential you need is your presence. Voting is not going to be enough. 
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I'm on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later on Egberto's YouTube channel. 

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Here is the Houston Democracy Project Grassroots Freedom Calendar for October 31-November 10. There are  two events after 11/10 as well because it is good to keep ahead of things. 

Please tell folks this resource exists & leave a comment if I'm missing something. I mostly feature autonomous actions outside the networks of elected officials & traditional organizing groups. Nobody is coming to organize most of us. The task ahead is ours. 

The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential you need is your presence. Voting is not going to be enough. 

The Houston Democracy Project works everyday to promote fellow-organizers doing the work across the Houston-region. It takes effort and expense. Please use the button above or the button below to contribute. My efforts are as good or bette an investment than most political campaigns. My work offers return to local communities and organizers. 

Here is the list: 

Friday, 10/31 & 11/7--Weekly Protest organized by Marsha Kamish at the Social Security office at 13302 Westheimer from noon to one. They get strong support from passers-by at a busy intersection. There is parking. 

​Saturday, 11/1--We Rise Up-Fight For Democracy, 501 N. Thompson, 9 AM-12 PM. You see the details in the picture above. This protest takes place every two weeks. These are the people who went to Conroe City Hall to helped defeat a proposed ordinance that would have restricted protest in the city. 

Sunday, 11/2--There is a protest I've seen word of on Tik Tok taking place on the Woodlands Parkway Overpass over I-45, to oppose the masked anti-immigrant men who were camped up there for all to see last week. The event I saw listed was 10 AM- 2 PM and said to bring signs. I think it's legit and I'm glad to see a reply to those bad men. But to be clear, I did not see a group associated with the protest. 

Tuesday, 11/4 & 11/11 —Week 456 & 457 of the John Cornyn Houston Office Protest, 11:30-1 at 5300 Memorial Dr. It is important people see others like themselves standing openly and confidently for freedom no matter the aggression of the right. There are extra signs or you can bring your own. You can park on the side streets near the Black Walnut on Memorial. Do not park in any private lot. 

Thursday, 11/6—Egberto Willies’ Politics Done Right broadcasts the weekly Houston Democracy Project hour from 6 AM-7 AM. Politics Done Right is on KPFT 90.1 every weekday morning from 6 to 7 & there is also Egberto’s 3 PM show on YouTube. Egberto is essential local independent media who merits support.

Thursday, 11/6--Weekly protest at office of Dan Crenshaw, 10 AM-11 AM, at intersection of Kingwood and Green Oak. This is from Indivisible Kingwood. 

Details: We meet up at the intersection of Kingwood Drive and Green Oak Drive at 10:00 a.m. Bring your favorite sign or pick one up there. You will be trespassing if you park in the shopping center with Big City Wings, unless you purchase something from one of the businesses. If you do buy something and park there, hold on to your receipt. Wherever you decide to park, make sure you’re legal! Once you have arrived, find your spot and be seen! Feel free to move around, but always stay on public property. We are a law-abiding group. Since we are individuals, you are not restricted to just this location. Some attendees like to gather in front of Crenshaw’s office.

Monday, 11/10--Fort Bend Indivisible monthly meeting, 6 PM-8 PM, University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land 

They are going to be watching and discussing a movie. Here are the details: Vigilantes, Inc.: America's New Vote Suppression Hitmen isn't your typical political documentary. This award-winning investigation by Greg Palast (narrated by Rosario Dawson, introduced by Martin Sheen) exposes the shocking truth behind the 2024 election—not through partisan talking points, but through hard data and historical context.

Tuesday, 11/11-Bi-weekly Indivisible Kingwood meeting, 6 PM-8 PM, Skeeter's Mesquite Grill 4121 W. Lake Houston. This is a strong grassroots group and they discuss upcoming events. 
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Monday, 11/24--No Avelo Airlines, 7800 W. Airport Blvd, 3 PM-4 PM. This is being staged by Marsha Kamish & Indivisible Katy Huddle.

Details: Avelo Airlines has been selected by the regime in office to fly people they have illegally deported outside of the country. Our rally/protest is to voice our dissent to this action and bring awareness to all those flying in and out of Hobby Airport.

Friday, 11/28-Christmas is Canceled, Woodlands Mall & Market Street, 9 AM-2 PM. 

Details: "This year, Christmas is canceled. We are done feeding the corporate machine that exploits workers, raises prices, and manipulates our traditions for profit. While corporations grow richer, everyday Americans are struggling just to get by. On Black Friday, we’re taking a stand. We will boycott every major corporation, refuse to spend our money on mass-produced consumerism, and encourage others to buy used, buy local, or buy nothing at all."

I'm on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later Egberto's YouTube channel. 

​The Houston Democracy Project works every day to keep the fight for democracy at the forefront of local politics. I’m asking please for your financial support for expenses like gas, wear- and-tear on my car and business cards, as well as for the effort I put into this work. My work is effective and impactful.

The efforts of local organizers are essential, as elected officials often look the other way at attacks on democracy and institutions step back from challenging the right.

The link to contribute is in the comments. You can contribute once or monthly.

Here is what I have accomplished in the past three weeks alone:

* I was a featured speaker at the well-attended Houston No Kings protest at Houston City Hall. My remarks were well-received and are linked to in the comments.

* I spoke about the local fight for democracy at Democratic clubs/Indivisible chapters/No Kings organizing meetings in La Porte, Clear Lake, Missouri City and The Heights.

* Weekly appearances on Politics Done Right on KPFT for the Houston Democracy Project Hour.

* A published opinion column in the Houston Chronicle about threats to peaceful pro-democracy activists in Houston.

* Many posts in the widely viewed Houston Democracy Project Blog 

​* Maintained an active social media presence including more than 8,700 followers on BlueSky.

* Ongoing participation in the John Cornyn Houston Office Protest, which has been on Houston streets for 455 weeks.

* Numerous private conversations, advocacy and organizing with fellow activists, people working in politics and rank and file Houstonians.

* Viewing and offering observations on every Houston City Council Public Comment Session and Agenda Session. There is not enough coverage of Houston City Council. I’m available to talk to anyone about Council. I regularly press Councilmembers and candidates to be more aggressive in standing up for all our rights.

* Involvement in electoral politics with commentary on elected officials and candidates.

​It’s important for me to set an example of empowering everyone and organizing ourselves for the very difficult days ahead. I’m meeting that standard. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions about the Project. I’d be happy to discuss the effort and why I merit your support.

Thank you.

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Two Houstonians who have stepped up to meet the authoritarian, white supremacist challenge we all face, are attorney Brian Harrison and photographer Nora Dayton.

Brian represented the four freedom-loving Houstonians who were arrested when METRO removed the Pride Crosswalk at Westheimer and Taft. 

From Chron.com:

"As of Friday, Oct. 24, those charges have officially been dropped by the DA in the interest of justice, per court documents obtained by Chron and confirmation from Brian Harrison, the attorney representing the protestors. In a statement to Chron, Harrison shared that the DA's office has dismissed all four of the cases, calling the move the "right thing" but expressing frustration at the fact that the community crosswalk had even been targeted to begin with. ...."[Dismissing the charges] doesn't change the fact that the city and the DA did Abbott and Trump's dirty work by removing the four activists and destroying the crosswalks," Harrison told Chron. "These four brave people stood up to the bullying of Abbott and Trump when Mayor Whitmire would not."

A few years ago, Brian successfully represented a friend of mine who faced a $500 "littering" ticket from what was in fact at act of civil disobedience at a protest. He is the attorney for the weekly John Cornyn Houston Office Protest. We've not needed him so far, but you never know. I encourage everyone who takes part in protest to know what legal assistance they would call in case of being attacked or an interaction with police. 

Here is Brian's website. Brian is a decent guy who will hear you out and make a good decision about what the next step might be. 

Nora Dayton has been photographing protest and social justice actions in Houston and other places. Above is a picture Nora took at the October 18 No Kings demonstration in Downtown Houston. Nora shows up all the time and everywhere to document our fight. It's real leadership and an invaluable resource. It is a lot hard work and merits our thanks. 

Here is Nora's website. Check it out. Maybe you need a photographer for an upcoming event. Nora is just the right person. 

The fight ahead is ours. Many are taking the lead without waiting to be asked. Brian and Nora are taking the lead without being asked. 

The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential you need is your presence. No community is on the periphery. No person is on the periphery. We are all in this fight.  

I'm on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later Egberto's YouTube channel

​Dr. Audrey Nath is a great candidate for the HISD Board. She is running on District 7. Here is her website. 

While HISD is currently under state control, it seems that local control-however the state ends up defining local control-will be returned within the four year term Dr. Nath is seeking. 

Above is a picture of Dr. Nath putting a yard sign in the ground a few days ago and below is a map of the district. You see in the map the location of HISD schools. 

Dr. Nath opposes the takeover. Her opponent, the incumbent, is a far-right Christian conservative and supporter of the takeover. 

It's important we regain the right to vote for a school board that has meaningful power. We are losing our rights at the hands of terrible people. We have to fight and fight. 

It's also important to support Maria Benzon in District 5 and Micheal McDonough in District 6. Here is the End The Takeover website. 

Early voting runs until October 31 and Election Day is November 4. If you know someone who you feel would vote for Dr. Nath or any of the other candidates opposing the takeover, give them a call or send them a text. District 7 is evenly-divided politically and the final result may be close. 

Audrey treats people well & will bring empathy and good-policy to HISD. Please vote for her and advocate for her election. 

​At the peaceful and successful No Kings protest this past Saturday, I counted from the Houston Police Department 83 cars/SUV’s, 16 horse officers, 8 ATV/dune buggy-looking deals, a golf cart, a giant camouflage high water rescue vehicle, a helicopter, and the officers I saw on the roof of City Hall. There were also DPS state police. Above you see a picture I took of some of the officers and some of the horses. (I spoke at the event. Here is what I said.)

I’m certain I’m missing all sorts of electronic surveillance, and I bet my count of cars/SUV’s is low with units staged and deployed blocks away. 

I’d like to see solid evidence or intelligence from HPD that there is a meaningful prospect of a conflict or big trouble at these protests. I think they imagine worst case scenarios and cover-your-ass scenarios, and then staff up at great cost to the city and to taxpayers. Police overtime is an important budgetary concern in Houston. I’m sure police overtime is just fine with the police officers. (Here is my account of the over-policed Labor Day protest in Houston.) 

Anyone familiar with the ethos and vibe of people who attend these-type protests, knows that if you wanted to assemble people in Houston very likely to use turn signals, return library books on time and vote in pretty much every election, you’d put together a political protest.

We should lean into this fact. Whoever shows up is the correct coalition. 

In terms of counter-protesters and the need to deescalate any conflict, a lot of the local militia-members and goons have maybe been hired by ICE. 

With each round of protests, we are forming our own networks with whoever else shows up. We are not tough, macho and whatever. But we are here and we'll proceed. The task ahead is ours. Seven million people made that clear at the recent No King's Protest. Our opponents are authoritarian, white supremacists and the challenge ahead will have risks. We will meet that challenge at both the ballot box and on the streets. 

The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential you need is your presence. No community is on the periphery. No person is on the periphery. We are all in this fight.

As for the City of Houston, the criminals causing all the problems we are protesting are the people running the country. City resources should be applied to fighting for our rights and freedoms, instead of amassing a small municipal army every time we show up for our democracy. 

​'m on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later Egberto's YouTube channel.​

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Mayor John Whitmire has made it clear again he will not speak up for the rights and freedoms of Houstonians no matter what. 

Here is what Mayor Whitmire said in an interview with the New York Times:

“Most major cities are in turmoil,” Mr. Whitmire said. “We’re not.”.......With rhetoric escalating over immigration raids and National Guard troop deployments, Mayor Whitmire is betting that the best way to govern a large American city right now is to keep your head down.....Mr. Whitmire, in a series of interviews with The New York Times, faulted other Democratic mayors such as Brandon Johnson in Chicago and Karen Bass in Los Angeles for loud public challenges to the president over immigration enforcement and other issues that have only deepened divisions."

(The Houston Chronicle has been reporting that neither Whitmire or his office have returned a request for comment since August 17.) 

There is no major city in "turmoil."  To the extent there is trouble, it is because ICE is terrorizing people and federal troops are being sent where not needed. Is Mayor Whitmire telling us he'll say nothing if low-flying federal helicopters are used to raid Houston apartment buildings? (Low-flying helicopters are also being used to harass people in Portland.) 

I imagine that is just what he is saying. (Maybe some of the training for those raids was done right here in Houston.) 

Martin Luther King would not have been amenable to a definition of order and an absence of turmoil based on failing to challenge power or silence in the face of wrong actions. 

From King's Letter From A Birmingham Jail:

"I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice." 

Above you see picture from overnight of equipment paid for by Metro rolling-over and wiping-out the Pride Crosswalk at Westheimer and Taft. This picture was on social media. Mayor Whitmire says Greg Abbott and Donald Trump made him blot out the crosswalk. 

Mayor Whitmire is right to say that if we get into fights with the State of Texas and federal government, that we might lose important funding. 

However, we need a larger discussion than Mayor Whitmire just looking the other way at loss of our rights, talking only to the press in New York City and arresting protestors as was done at the Montrose crosswalk overnight. 

Mayor Whitmire appears to have no bottom line as to how much of our freedom he'll watch the State of Texas and federal government take from Houstonians, without a word of objection on his part. 

​We must organize ourselves for the difficult days ahead. 

I'm on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right Show every Thursday from 6 AM to 7 AM for the Houston Democracy Project segment. You can hear the show on the radio, stream it on KPFT or watch later Egberto's YouTube channel.​​​​​