This is the Houston Democracy Project
Democracy is under assault nationwide, statewide and locally. We must confront the prospect of an authoritarian nation. We already live a state where women are forced to leave to get access to needed medical care & where Ken Paxton is chief law enforcement officer.
Candidates for Harris County and statewide office in 2024 must fully join the fight, speaking and acting.
It is moderate and mainstream to insist freedom be protected. Without democracy, there is no public safety. It is extremist to look the other way. Our candidates and officials must meet the challenges of the day, and by signing up to serve as our elected leaders, have a responsibility to do so.
Citizens of Harris County who imagine a future for themselves and their families rooted in democracy, must be willing to have frank conversations about the future, their commitment to fight for democracy & self-protection.
Democracy is under assault nationwide, statewide and locally. We must confront the prospect of an authoritarian nation. We already live a state where women are forced to leave to get access to needed medical care & where Ken Paxton is chief law enforcement officer.
Candidates for Harris County and statewide office in 2024 must fully join the fight, speaking and acting.
It is moderate and mainstream to insist freedom be protected. Without democracy, there is no public safety. It is extremist to look the other way. Our candidates and officials must meet the challenges of the day, and by signing up to serve as our elected leaders, have a responsibility to do so.
Citizens of Harris County who imagine a future for themselves and their families rooted in democracy, must be willing to have frank conversations about the future, their commitment to fight for democracy & self-protection.
What are the goals of the Houston Democracy Project?
To make protection and promotion of democracy a top issue in 2024 Harris County elections. To insist candidates commit effort and resources to increase turnout in 2024. To demand that our candidates support the full Democratic slate.
For people in power to listen to and engage in discussion about doing things differently without reflexively reducing the substance to an ideological clash or deflect it as merely a gratuitous attack on the local political establishment.
To create a culture where rank-and-file Democrats, active Democrats and Democratic clubs and organizations ask more of candidates and incumbents. We must empower and protect ourselves, and insist the people we support have our backs.
To have candidates willing to challenge police unions. This is not about the police department. It is about police unions backing Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Alexandra Mealer even after and as they attack our election results. There is no public safety without democracy and no public safety when police unions support election deniers.
To ask questions and have discussions about mental preparation and self-protection as confront an authoritarian threat.
To always acknowledge that democracy in Houston and Texas has left some less free than others.
In sum: To create a democracy movement in Houston. We must have the imagination and capacity to act on behalf of freedom without waiting and hoping politicians will do so without our push.
To make protection and promotion of democracy a top issue in 2024 Harris County elections. To insist candidates commit effort and resources to increase turnout in 2024. To demand that our candidates support the full Democratic slate.
For people in power to listen to and engage in discussion about doing things differently without reflexively reducing the substance to an ideological clash or deflect it as merely a gratuitous attack on the local political establishment.
To create a culture where rank-and-file Democrats, active Democrats and Democratic clubs and organizations ask more of candidates and incumbents. We must empower and protect ourselves, and insist the people we support have our backs.
To have candidates willing to challenge police unions. This is not about the police department. It is about police unions backing Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and Alexandra Mealer even after and as they attack our election results. There is no public safety without democracy and no public safety when police unions support election deniers.
To ask questions and have discussions about mental preparation and self-protection as confront an authoritarian threat.
To always acknowledge that democracy in Houston and Texas has left some less free than others.
In sum: To create a democracy movement in Houston. We must have the imagination and capacity to act on behalf of freedom without waiting and hoping politicians will do so without our push.
How Will The Houston Democracy Project Work Toward These Goals?
With this website & updates on the Houston Democracy Project Blog about attacks on democracy in Houston, Harris County and Texas.
By talking to Democratic club and organization leaders, active Democrats, party leaders and candidates and everyone.
With a weekly Houston Democracy Project segment each Thursday morning at 6 AM on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right broadcast on Houston Station KPFT 90.1. The program is then available on Egberto's website.
With conversations, letters and follow-up with Harris County candidates and incumbents, asking they commit to taking up democracy as a major campaign focus. I will press them again and again to do all they can to boost voter turnout in Harris County in '24.
By being willing to ask tough questions, consider harsh outcomes and always remaining hopeful.
By working consistently to publicize and advance this initiative.
By asking you to be part of the effort. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. I can be contacted at naa61840@gmail.com
With this website & updates on the Houston Democracy Project Blog about attacks on democracy in Houston, Harris County and Texas.
By talking to Democratic club and organization leaders, active Democrats, party leaders and candidates and everyone.
With a weekly Houston Democracy Project segment each Thursday morning at 6 AM on the Egberto Willies Politics Done Right broadcast on Houston Station KPFT 90.1. The program is then available on Egberto's website.
With conversations, letters and follow-up with Harris County candidates and incumbents, asking they commit to taking up democracy as a major campaign focus. I will press them again and again to do all they can to boost voter turnout in Harris County in '24.
By being willing to ask tough questions, consider harsh outcomes and always remaining hopeful.
By working consistently to publicize and advance this initiative.
By asking you to be part of the effort. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. I can be contacted at naa61840@gmail.com
How Can You Take Part?
By imagining our politics in a new way and sharing those thoughts with others.
By demanding accountability from people who seek your vote.
By asking organizations you are part of to speak up for democracy even when it involves tough conversations.
By having confidence that your vote and your voice matter.
By sharing word of the Houston Democracy Project with others, sharing this website with others & supporting this project financially.
By imagining our politics in a new way and sharing those thoughts with others.
By demanding accountability from people who seek your vote.
By asking organizations you are part of to speak up for democracy even when it involves tough conversations.
By having confidence that your vote and your voice matter.
By sharing word of the Houston Democracy Project with others, sharing this website with others & supporting this project financially.
Who Am I?
I'm Neil Aquino
I’m a rank & file Democrat, activist and Houstonian who wants to live in a free society. I’ve volunteered extensively for Democratic candidates and causes, and served as paid staff for multiple Democratic campaigns. My work for Democratic campaigns has involved communications and strategy.
I’m an organizer of the Weekly John Cornyn Houston Office Protest. The Cornyn Protest team has been outside Senator Cornyn’s office each Tuesday for nearly seven years now with one clear message: In addition to voting, we must show up physically and non-conventionally for the fights over democracy ahead.
I’m a member of the Southwest Democrats, Tejano Democrats and the Houston LGBTQIA Caucus. I have a political science degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati and ran a Cincinnati City Council office. I read a lot of books.
I'm Neil Aquino
I’m a rank & file Democrat, activist and Houstonian who wants to live in a free society. I’ve volunteered extensively for Democratic candidates and causes, and served as paid staff for multiple Democratic campaigns. My work for Democratic campaigns has involved communications and strategy.
I’m an organizer of the Weekly John Cornyn Houston Office Protest. The Cornyn Protest team has been outside Senator Cornyn’s office each Tuesday for nearly seven years now with one clear message: In addition to voting, we must show up physically and non-conventionally for the fights over democracy ahead.
I’m a member of the Southwest Democrats, Tejano Democrats and the Houston LGBTQIA Caucus. I have a political science degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati and ran a Cincinnati City Council office. I read a lot of books.
Please donate.
The Houston Democracy Project takes time, effort and money. The project is possible because of skills and experience I have acquired over many years. It’s important and fair that people doing the work for democracy be compensated. Anti-democracy forces have near unlimited funding. I’m asking for contributions to be able to stick with this effort through 2024. I look forward to working with democracy advocates across all Houston and Harris County communities. Thank you.
The Houston Democracy Project takes time, effort and money. The project is possible because of skills and experience I have acquired over many years. It’s important and fair that people doing the work for democracy be compensated. Anti-democracy forces have near unlimited funding. I’m asking for contributions to be able to stick with this effort through 2024. I look forward to working with democracy advocates across all Houston and Harris County communities. Thank you.