​Today was Week 461 of the John Cornyn Houston Office Protest. 

Today two men in a black sports car stopped the car in the street, yelled at one of our people on the sidewalk for maybe 45 seconds and then one of the men spit at her. Two weeks ago someone threw a giant acorn at us from his car. We've had many things thrown at us. Though the reactions are in fact always strongly positive. 

Regretfully we don't have a picture or video of the incident today. We did get the license plate. In the picture you see Marsha making a police report to an officer while another one of our crew looks on. You see that Marsha's sign says "Antifa Forever." 

We always do a police report when one of us are assaulted. Last year we got a misdemeanor conviction of a man who threw eggs at us from his car. 

The Antifa person is plenty peaceful. The Trumpers spit and throw things at people. I'm convinced that if you wanted to assemble the 10,000 most lawful people in Houston who use turn signals, pay taxes and return library books on time, you'd organize an anti-Trump protest. 

You also see above how we feel about ICE and below our full crew today. 

​Please join us each Tuesday, 11:30-1, 5300 Memorial Dr. It's essential people see others like themselves standing openly and confidently for freedom no matter the aggression of the right. Voting is essential, but it is not going to be enough. 

​There is little reason to trust 2026 elections will be conducted fairly or that there will not be even greater attacks on our civil liberties. ICE is an extermination unit in the making. We are going to have to show up for ourselves in ways that most elected officials will not.

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This past Saturday, I spoke at the quarterly Harris County Democratic Party Clubs & Organizations meeting, and at a fundraiser in Montgomery for Texas Congressional District 8 Democratic primary candidate Laura Jones.

This is all part of my work on the Houston Democracy Project. I'd be glad to speak at your club or org event or meeting. My e-mail is [email protected] 

​Ms. Jones used her fundraiser to give a platform to a number of community advocates including myself. That was both kind and far-sighted of her. We are going need all our allies and all our tools to get through the very difficult days ahead.

Here is an account of the fundraiser from Politics Done Right host Egberto Willies that captures the event well. Above is me speaking in Montgomery, Montgomery County.

Here is the core of what I said in these appearances:

* Voting is not going to be enough to get us out this crisis.
* Conventional politics and protest are both essential. The line between the two is blurring all the time. We saw this in the response to the martial law declaration in South Korea last year. 
* The No Kings Protests are helping build new networks of both rapid response and political organizing.
* Trump’s new national security strategy document is a white supremacist authoritarian plan. Consider reading it so you can speak to it.
* ICE is an extermination unit in the making.
* Democratic voters have a right to demand standards for our elected officials. It was true for Kim Ogg and Shaun Thierry, and it is true for John Whitmire. It’s not a so-called “purity test.” It is our right to have expectations of the people we help elect.
​* Primary candidates come and go. Our need to live freely remains. 
* Opposing authoritarians isn't going to be safe. We are going to have to accept some measure of risk.
* We have a right to a collective identity as active rank and file democracy advocates and Democrats that is independent from candidates and elected officials. We must advocate for ourselves. 
*The next action is when you organize it, the First Amendment is your permit, the only credential needed is your presence.

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

​It's not enough for Mayor Whitmire and his buddies to tell us what words we can use when talking about ICE, the very act of asking questions is apparently a problem as well. 

At Houston City Council Agenda Session on November 12, Houston Police Officer's Union boss Doug Griffith informed Houstonians that use of the word "fight" in how we oppose ICE, could be taken as encouraging violence against law enforcement. (Mr. Griffith could have said this at a public comment session and heard what I imagine would be clear feedback from the public.) 

It is the role of police to protect the Constitution and the First Amendment, rather than tell us what we can say. Of course the police "union" is not the police. It's a right wing attack outfit.

At the Council Public Comment Session on December 2, Mayor Whitmire got into an exchange with immigration advocate Cesar Espinosa. The exchange was about the 15 year old boy held by the federal government for 50 days after he was turned over by HPD. 

Here is an account of the exchange from NPR KUHF.  If you want to see it all, it is from the 1 hour 19 minute point to the 2 hour point of the HTV video of the meeting. 

One thing that really got my attention was a point shown in the picture above when Mayor Whitmire said "Cesar, let us ask the questions." 

No. 

I'm not sure why Mayor Whitmire bothered to make the comment. Most times when you ask them something, they just stare blankly at you. 

We are facing an authoritarian, white supremacist menace from our federal and state governments. ICE is a gang of thugs rampaging through our cites. 

We will use the words we need to use and we will ask the questions we have to ask. 

Below is information on following and interacting with Houston City Council. 

Public comment time at Houston City Council is each Tuesday at 2 PM with the exception once each month when it is at 5:30 PM. Here is how you can speak at Council and here is how to contact your councilmember.  The earlier before the session you sign up, the higher up on the speaker's list you'll be. You must register to speak by 3 PM the day before. 

The agenda session to conduct Council business is each Wednesday at 9 AM. The agenda is posted in advance. Council can be watched live on HTV Houston Television and the most recent session is available at any time on the HTV feed on Facebook. Here is the link to past sessions of Council. Here are maps of Council districts so you can see who represents you. 

Here is contact information for Mayor Whitmire & Council. 

Mayor Whitmire—713-837-0311 [email protected] 

Democrats: 
At-Large-Letitia Plummer 832-393-3012  [email protected]
At-Large-Sallie Alcorn 832-393-3017  [email protected]
District B-Tarsha Jackson 832-393-3009  [email protected]
District C-Abbie Kamin 832-393-3004  [email protected]
District D-Carolyn Evans-Shabazz 832-393-3001 [email protected]
District F-Tiffany Thomas 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District H-Mario Castillo 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District I-Joaquin Martinez 832-393-3011 [email protected]
District J-Edward Pollard 832-393-3015  [email protected]
District K-Martha Castex-Tatum 832-393-3016  [email protected]

Republicans: 
At-Large-Julian Ramirez 832-393-3014 [email protected]
At-Large-Willie Davis 832-393-3013 [email protected] 
At-Large-Twila Carter 832-393-3005 [email protected]
District A-Amy Peck 832-393-3010 [email protected]
District E-Fred Flickinger 832-393-3008 [email protected] 
District G-Mary Nan Huffman 832-393-3007 [email protected] ​​

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

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I don't comment often on or think about very much who should run in what Democratic primary. Nobody is getting in or staying out of a race off what I'm saying. Who knows what motives everyone involved really has? 

For example, in the Texas U.S. Senate primary Allred, Talarico and if she gets in Crockett, are essentially running multi-million dollar businesses that want to extract our resources of time and money. They are like pop-up stores just around for Halloween or Christmas. They come and go. You can't get your money back if you've been ripped off because the outfit has folded. 

​Above you see a Halloween pop up store. 

One candidate will advance and the resources amassed by the loser(s) will be gone. The nominee will either win or lose the general election.

It is important to defeat Cornyn, Paxton or Hunt next November.

It's also important that the rank & file have the resources, autonomy and power to hold candidates and electeds fully accountable. We are the main act and it is our rights and freedom on the line.

Candidates come and go. Our need to support one another, have each others back and use our own power always remains.

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

​I'm back from a Thanksgiving trip to Cincinnati to visit friends and family. I hope you had a good holiday or whatever you observe or do not observe. It's good to see your people and good to be back. You can't beat having two places you can call home. 

Above is a picture I took of Cincinnati's famous observatory. 

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"Something I noticed when I spoke at city hall yesterday is that my voice was not the only little shaky voice. Many other neighbors in Houston are also working really hard to be brave for you."

The above was posted today by a Facebook friend who spoke at public comment time at Houston City Council yesterday evening. She spoke about ICE in Houston and HPD working with ICE. You see yesterday's session in the picture.

​There were many excellent speakers last night. Here is the video of the meeting. 

What this Houstonian says is very much what I'm saying with the Houston Democracy Project. The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential needed is your presence. Voting is not going to be enough. 

Here is an account by Carol Wells who this past August wrote about attending a protest at ICE detention center. It was the 2nd protest she had ever attended. 

Nobody is coming to organize most of us. There are too many of us. The nearly 8 million people who attended the October 18 No Kings protests were in good part self-organized with few resources. 

Mayor Whitmire has made it clear that there literally nothing the state or federal government can do to the City of Houston or to Houstonians, that he will respond to other than by making up stories and gaslighting people. 

Each of us are the leaders in the challenging days ahead. 

​Below is information for following and interacting with Houston City Council: 

Public comment time at Houston City Council is each Tuesday at 2 PM with the exception once each month when it is at 5:30 PM. Here is how you can speak at Council and here is how to contact your councilmember.  The earlier before the session you sign up, the higher up on the speaker's list you'll be. You must register to speak by 3 PM the day before. 

The agenda session to conduct Council business is each Wednesday at 9 AM. The agenda is posted in advance. Council can be watched live on HTV Houston Television and the most recent session is available at any time on the HTV feed on Facebook. Here is the link to past sessions of Council. Here are maps of Council districts so you can see who represents you. 

Here is contact information for Mayor Whitmire & Council. 

Mayor Whitmire—713-837-0311 [email protected] 

Democrats: 
At-Large-Letitia Plummer 832-393-3012  [email protected]
At-Large-Sallie Alcorn 832-393-3017  [email protected]
District B-Tarsha Jackson 832-393-3009  [email protected]
District C-Abbie Kamin 832-393-3004  [email protected]
District D-Carolyn Evans-Shabazz 832-393-3001 [email protected]
District F-Tiffany Thomas 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District H-Mario Castillo 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District I-Joaquin Martinez 832-393-3011 [email protected]
District J-Edward Pollard 832-393-3015  [email protected]
District K-Martha Castex-Tatum 832-393-3016  [email protected]

Republicans: 
At-Large-Julian Ramirez 832-393-3014 [email protected]
At-Large-Willie Davis 832-393-3013 [email protected] 
At-Large-Twila Carter 832-393-3005 [email protected]
District A-Amy Peck 832-393-3010 [email protected]
District E-Fred Flickinger 832-393-3008 [email protected] 
District G-Mary Nan Huffman 832-393-3007 [email protected] ​​

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I don’t like most all the bars along Washington Ave. Few are any place a young midwestern punk rocker would go in the 1980’s. (Pearl is someplace I would have gone.) 

(Above is Washington Ave today, 11/16.) 

However, just because you run one of those lousy bars, does not mean Mayor Whitmire should have you in jail for 48 hours for something that most always leads to a citation. 

Mayor Whitmire appears to be establishing a pattern of using aggressive police actions and harsh application of the legal system to punish opponents and people who just get in the way of his plans. 

From the 11/12 Houston Chronicle:

“Bar owners are crying foul over the City of Houston's recent approach to public safety on Washington Avenue, where in May one owner was arrested over a sanitary complaint that typically ends in a written citation….Seyed Ghoreishi of Sidebar, said he's been in the business 25 years and knew and supported the police officers who patrolled the area…..Ghoreishi said his opinion on the city’s enforcement changed when he was arrested in May and charged with failure to comply with local sanitary laws, according to Harris County court records. Ghoreishi said he spent almost 48 hours in jail after he was arrested and accused of having roaches in his bar (an allegation he denies)….About a week later, prosecutors filed to have the charge against Ghoreishi dismissed, citing lack of probable cause…Jonathan Zendeh Del, a Galveston-based criminal defense attorney and a law professor, said Ghoreishi's experience is unusual. Zendeh Del did not represent Ghoreishi in his criminal case, but reviewed the proceedings to offer a legal opinion for the Chronicle….”Typically, if a business is cited for a sanitation concern, the city issues a notice or a fine and the given establishment is given an opportunity to correct the issue," Zendeh Del said. "It is not something that normally results in a person being handcuffed and taken to jail.”…The fact that the charge was dismissed so quickly causes him to question whether the city is using legally-sound criminal enforcement power, Zendeh Del said….Whitmire has made policing along Washington Avenue one of the centerpieces of his mayoral tenure.”

This is not the only time it Mayor Whitmire has seemingly used police to unusually ticket or rustle up an extended time in jail for someone he does not like.

Mayor Whitmire promised over and over that extension of the so-called Civility Ordinance would not lead to a big jump in tickets for homeless people for being out on the street. However, NPR KUHF 88.7 reported that is just what has happened. Citations went up dramatically right away as the ordinance was extended.

From KUHF:

"After city officials expanded the so-called civility ordinance in mid-July, effectively banning homeless people from sidewalks in certain parts of Houston, law enforcement officers also ramped up enforcement of a separate, citywide rule prohibiting more general sidewalk obstructions."

​There were unnecessary arrests when the Pride Crosswalk was removed. From Chron.com:
​
"On Monday, Oct. 21, a number of people flocked to the rainbow crosswalk at Westheimer and Taft, set on stopping the removal of the beloved Montrose road art.... Houston METRO was quick to compl. ...A group of Houstonians learned of the plan and appeared at the intersection before the removal was set to begin, and an impromptu protest broke out. Two hours into the protest, when the construction crew began to work...demonstrators staged a sit-in... Houston Police's Special Response Group eventually arrested activists Michael Edwards, Kristin Donaldson, Peter Bratvedt and Ethan Hale....As of Friday, Oct. 24, those charges have officially been dropped by the DA "

I don't have the link here, but I saw a council meeting after the arrests where Councilmember Abbie Kamin discussed with one of the people arrested, Ethan Hale, how he had been kept in jail for almost 48 hours after. There was no need for that. 

​Mayor Whitmire is a bully with a police force at his command. He's made clear he values order as he narrowly defines it, rather than justice or respectfully listening to opponents. As we move deeper and deeper into the authoritarian and white supremacist Presidency of Donald Trump, it's clear Mayor Whitmire cannot be counted on to protect us or to fight for our rights. He can't be trusted to apply the law fairly. 

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.​​​​​​

​As you see above, there is a drive to get people to come to the monthly evening public comment session of Houston City Council this upcoming Tuesday, 11/18. The topic is City of Houston cooperation with ICE. This cooperation has been going on for a while, but only recently did Mayor Whitmire stop trying to hide it. (If you sign up, there will likely be so many speakers that you'll get just one minute to speak even if you sign up for two or three. So have a one minute speech ready.) 

This effort for Tuesday is being made by the groups you see listed in the graphic. Take a look at the logos and be mindful of the efforts these folks are making. If one or more of these groups seems interesting to you, look them up and see how you can help them out. 

In addition to essential issue of right treatment of immigrants, ICE is a Trump personal-militia in the making. ICE is a tremendous civil liberties threat and this must be addressed as well. 

Here is the link from Houston Democratic Socialists of America to join the effort for Thursday. 

Maybe you are a part of a group not listed above. You could encourage your colleagues in that group to come to council next Tuesday or to some other public comment day that works. 

You also always have the ability to organize on your own or just go on your own. The next action is when you organize it. The First Amendment is your permit. The only credential needed is your presence. Voting is not going to be enough.

Whatever works for you and the people in your networks is good. Nobody is coming to organize most of us. There are too many of us and we are cities, suburbs, small towns and rural areas all across the Houston region. Do what works for who you are, who you know and where you are. 

You can also contact Mayor Whitmire and Houston City Council at any point. The contact information along with the party affiliation of each councilmember is below. 

Each of us are the leaders in the fight above. We cannot rely on elected officials or on the systems that have brought us this nightmare. 

Public comment time at Houston City Council is each Tuesday at 2 PM with the exception once each month when it is at 5:30 PM. Here is how you can speak at Council and here is how to contact your councilmember.  The earlier before the session you sign up, the higher up on the speaker's list you'll be. You must register to speak by 3 PM the day before. 

The agenda session to conduct Council business is each Wednesday at 9 AM. The agenda is posted in advance. Council can be watched live on HTV Houston Television and the most recent session is available at any time on the HTV feed on Facebook. Here is the link to past sessions of Council. Here are maps of Council districts so you can see who represents you. 

Here is contact information for Mayor Whitmire & Council. 

Mayor Whitmire—713-837-0311 [email protected] 

Democrats: 
At-Large-Letitia Plummer 832-393-3012  [email protected]
At-Large-Sallie Alcorn 832-393-3017  [email protected]
District B-Tarsha Jackson 832-393-3009  [email protected]
District C-Abbie Kamin 832-393-3004  [email protected]
District D-Carolyn Evans-Shabazz 832-393-3001 [email protected]
District F-Tiffany Thomas 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District H-Mario Castillo 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District I-Joaquin Martinez 832-393-3011 [email protected]
District J-Edward Pollard 832-393-3015  [email protected]
District K-Martha Castex-Tatum 832-393-3016  [email protected]

Republicans: 
At-Large-Julian Ramirez 832-393-3014 [email protected]
At-Large-Willie Davis 832-393-3013 [email protected] 
At-Large-Twila Carter 832-393-3005 [email protected]
District A-Amy Peck 832-393-3010 [email protected]
District E-Fred Flickinger 832-393-3008 [email protected] 
District G-Mary Nan Huffman 832-393-3007 [email protected] ​​

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. 

​Today, 11/13, I took part in a press conference held by Greater Houston LULAC Council 4967. This is part of my work on the Houston Democracy Project. The subject of the press conference was the brutal conduct of ICE in Houston and local law enforcement cooperation with ICE. The event was held in the parking lot of a Home Depot along the I-45 S. feeder road just past the Woodridge exit. 

Dr. Sergio Lira is the President of Council 4967. 

Above is me speaking this morning. 

Here is what I said: 

"We've got to come together across communities. 

Whether it is ICE in Houston, attacks on the Voting Rights Act and redistricting, refusal to extend SNAP benefits and a willingness to let people starve, ignoring court orders or erasing the Pride Crosswalk and threats to the Black Lives Matter crosswalk--It is all connected. 

We've got to come together across communities. We can hang together or hang separately." 

The proceedings were recorded by the staff of State Rep. Christiana Morales. Rep. Morales has been out front in addressing ICE and Mayor Whitmire's lack of transparency about HPD cooperation with ICE. 

Houston Councilmember Abbie Kamin was also present. At Houston City Council on 11/12, Councilmember Kamin correctly referenced Neville Chamberlin-type appeasement to describe the overall City of Houston absence of response to the authoritarian malevolence of the current federal administration. 

I was glad to be there this morning & I strongly encourage everyone to speak up. They are coming for all of us. Each of us are the leaders in 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 on Egberto's YouTube channel.​​​​​​

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There was discussion at Houston City Council today, 11/12, regarding HPD cooperation with ICE. 

During the discussion, Democratic District I Councilmember Joaquin Martinez and Mayor Whitmire asked Houston Police Officer's Union President Douglas Griffith to talk about HPD and ICE.  Mr. Griffith's comments begin at the 2 hour and 4 minute point of the meeting as recorded on HTV.  

It's frustrating that Mr. Griffith was asked to talk about this subject. Mr. Griffith's union has endorsed many elected officials who support ICE. Mr. Griffith is a problem rather than a solution. Below you see the ad the police union recently ran telling New York City police officers to come to Houston because of the election of Zohran Mamdani. 

It would have been best to have HPD itself as part of the conversation. HPD is accountable to the public. The police union is not. 

During his exchange with Mayor Whitmire and members of Council, Mr. Griffith had input on how Houstonians should speak when talking about ICE. You see him above in his comments today. (The caption mangled Mr. Griffith's comments to say the word "corks." There was no discussion of corks or wine at council today.) In his testimony/comments at council today Mr. Griffith said multiple times that rhetoric that involved the word "fight" could be interpreted as encouraging violence directed at ICE officers. 

People saying we should "fight' ICE or that we are in a "fight' to stop human rights and due process violations by ICE are not encouraging violence. They are using a common word to describe First Amendment protected peaceful political activity. It is the same First Amendment that protects the idiotic advertisement HPOU directed at New York City. 

Mr. Griffith also had a lot of input for councilmembers how they should contact him before "crazy e-mails" are sent out. I don't wager elected officials need to run public remarks by a police officer. 

​Th only councilmember to push back at Mr. Griffith's remarks was Abbie Kamin. Councilmember Kamin has repeatedly been discussing civil liberties and the conduct of ICE. 

We must protect our rights. Our basic Constitutional rights are not a luxury or some kind of privilege. Protecting the Constitution is in the Oath taken by elected officials and police officers. 

Councilmember Martinez is a good faith actor trying to navigate difficult circumstances. I ask him to broaden his approach to this issue to fully include civil liberties concerns that are at the core of what it means to be an American. 

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.​​​​​