11 HPD Units At Protest Over Bike Lanes-How Will Respond When We Are On Streets For Our Most Basic Rights?

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​A peaceful protest in Houston this past Tuesday about Mayor Whitmire's anti-bike and pedestrian safety policies, had a large police presence that did not make sense. Especially when we've told over and over that the Houston Police Department lacks resources and has failed to investigate many major crimes. 

The protest was staged by BikeHouston.  

From The Houston Chronicle. 
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​"Drivers stuck in standstill traffic on Heights Boulevard on Tuesday saw community advocates standing in the now-exposed bike lane, protesting the loss of small protective barriers known as armadillos....As police urged the protesters to stay on the sidewalk, the bicycle advocates held signs, rang cowbells, and cheered as cyclists rode through the unprotected lane, the discolored spots where barriers once stood offering no defense...Around two dozen residents from across the Houston area attended the protest, voicing concerns about cyclist safety..Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin, whose district includes the Heights, said the Memorial Heights Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone paid $100,000 to install the armadillos in 2022....Kamin said the city should be focusing on its $300 million budget shortfall, flooding infrastructure, water leaks and trash pick up instead of diminishing public safety projects."The mayor's weird and wasteful obsession with ripping up community investments is creating a serious safety risk and costing Houstonians at a time that demands fiscal responsibility," Kamin said." 

Here is what BikeHouston said on Twitter, in response to me asking , about HPD at the protest:

"Houston PD showed up with 11 cruisers, and told us to get on the sidewalks or be placed under arrest. There was also a helicopter circling overhead, but not sure it was law enforcement."

Above you see a picture of some of the officers having a conversation and below you see a picture from the Houston Chronicle of what the protest looked like. 

I sometimes focus on the policing of protest in Houston because we are headed to major attacks on civil liberties and democracy. With institutions we've been told to trust not able or willing to fight back, it's going to be up to us. And there certainly has been little pushback on attacks on our rights from the ten Houston City Council Democrats who theoretically have some say over the police. 

If this is how many police are sent to a modest protest about bike lanes, what will the response be when we are on the streets for our most basic rights?

Below is information on following and interacting with Houston City Council. Contact them and remind them of your right to protest and of their obligation to do all they can to protect our freedom.  

Public comment time at Houston City Council is each Tuesday at 2 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. 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 available at any time on the HTV feed on Facebook. Here is the link to past sessions of Council 

Here is the Houston Democracy Project list of things each of us can do to fight Trump/Musk. Here is a fundraising pitch for the Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways.  Please help the effort. ​​

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.

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