National Republicans are planning to recruit lawyers and poll watchers to help make sure they are able to intimidate voters and create a climate of fear in 2024. 

From NBC News-

"A Republican National Committee official told NBC News that the organization has already recruited “tens of thousands” of people to serve in these roles and has hired paid election integrity directors in 13 states, including in key battlegrounds, to oversee volunteers. Weekly trainings are underway, the official said, as the party doubles down on one of former President Donald Trump’s pet issues, election integrity, five months out from the 2024 vote."

The story goes on to say that Republicans may or may not be able to reach the numbers of poll watchers and attorneys they claim they'll get. But the upshot is clear.  They intend to subvert the election to get the outcomes they want. This will be the case in elections up and down the ballot.

The Harris County Democratic Party is going to run an election protection operation in 2024. It is managed  by Nicole Peterson who works for the party.

Here is the link to sign up the help the effort. The specific link here is to be a Poll Watcher.

In my most recent Houston Democracy Blog Poet, I discussed Houstonian Brent Sullivan who signed up to speak before Houston City Council on the subject of being prepared for attacks on democracy in 2024. Mr. Sullivan asked Councilmembers to be prepare for a repeat of January 6 type attacks.        

Republicans promise violence if they lose and authoritarianism if they win. We all have the power to act and fight back. We must do so.      

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]

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Brent Sullivan addressed Houston City Council this past Tuesday. Mr. Sullivan is a citizen of Houston and a friend.  Above you see Mr. Sullivan at Council.

Council takes public comment each Tuesday at 2 PM. The weekly agenda calendar is dealt with each Wednesday at 9 AM. You can attend or watch these sessions as well as watch Council Committee sessions.      

Mr. Sullivan spoke to Council about threats to democracy that impact Houston and the nation.

Here is what he said: 

January 6 2020 was a multi layered attempt to end democracy as we know it. 

Today fake electors are running for office and may be in charge of elections. Violent participants are praised and offered pardons.  

Their leader continues to deny the election outcome and has said if he is not declared the winner, we will see trouble like we've never seen before. 

These are not the words of a man running to enlarge his base and win the election, but to enrage his base and win the next coup.

It's the duty of every citizen to support and defend democracy & the responsibility of electeds to plan for foreseeable events

What can we do to stop a coup? 

History shows massive, nonviolent, non-confrontational rallies for democracy can overcome a coup.

I call on council to plan and hold pro-democracy rallies in every district, and show leadership to the nation -- to be clear these would be nonpartisan rallies throughout the period from the election to inauguration.  

It's understandable to be caught off guard the first time, it's malpractice to be caught off guard the second time.

Let's all stand together for democracy with a series of rallies in every district.
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Brent reports that no member of Council asked a question or replied to his remarks. 

As the Republican Party moves towards violence, using the justice system for revenge and mass deportations, we will have to rely on one another to fight back and be free. Our political class and caste is deeply invested in the systems bringing about the bad outcomes. The public makes them nervous. They are worried for their own careers and access to power.

Thanks to Brent for going to City Hall and speaking to Council about threats to democracy. The Houston Democracy Project urges all Houstonians to do the same.       

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]

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​Above is notice of a forum being held on Zoom by the Houston Society for Professional Journalists tomorrow, 6/6, at 6 PM about covering protests. The forum is open to the public. I've signed up to watch & will add discussion of the event on this post after I watch.

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​Today is the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. It certainly could happen here. 

The BBC reported in 2017 that the death toll may have been at least 10,000. 

Let's recall the brave dead of Tiananmen Square & do our best to fight for freedom while we are living.  

Here is an account of the protests from the BBC.

​Each Saturday, Steve Norris stands with the sign you see below from noon to one at Hermann Park near the roundabout with the big statue of Sam Houston. Steve is a semi-retired college professor.

He printed the signs on his own dime. He has extras to hand out.

Steve has been standing for maybe 15 weeks now. I’ve been with him maybe 10 times. Steve will be there each Saturday through the election. He is a solid & thoughtful guy.

A good thing about the vigil is we are near the tracks for the kids' train. The train goes by twice an hour &
passengers see our signs. We get many thumbs up from the parents. It’s great to have an audience brought right to us.

Here are two pictures from this past Saturday. The gentleman parked, got out and shook our hands. He did so even though it was raining. You see he has the Jasmine Crockett quote on his shirt. Steve gave him a sign.

It’s important people see others willing to stand up for democracy out in the open. People have asked Steve
and myself if we are nervous to be out there. We are not.

Please join Steve on a Saturday. Steve sets the tone of a quiet and kind hour & waves to all who pass by. 

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]

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Above you see notice of a so-called Crime Town Hall in Houston.

With three Republicans as the announced speakers, maybe the event is about how to commit crime. The leader of the Republican Party is someone convicted of 34 felonies & that seems fine with Texas Republicans.    

​Texas Republicans pardoned Danny Perry after he was convicted for murdering a Black Lives Matter protester in Austin, while at the same time saying Trump's conviction for 34 felonies is a wrongful act. Department of Public Safety police troops bash protestors at the U. of Texas, but stood by like cowards while the shooter killed the children at the Uvalde school.  

In Texas, the law is for those with political power to use as they choose. What they choose is authoritarianism and cruelty.   

One of the speakers at the so-called Crime Town Hall is Mike Knox. Mr. Knox is the Harris County Republican nominee for Sheriff. In 2022, Mr. Knox testified in front of State Senator Paul Bettencourt's voter-suppression committee about how voters were getting water and snacks while waiting in line to vote. That's all we need to know about Mr. Knox. He is league with efforts to subvert Harris County elections and take our freedom.  

Another speaker is Houston City Councilmember Julian Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez has endorsed Mr. Knox for Sheriff. (Mr. Ramirez, along with John Whitmire, was endorsed by Senator Bettencourt in 2023.)  

I watch Houston City Council meetings. Mr. Ramirez is a competent and effective Republican partisan. Houston City Council Democrats could learn from Mr. Ramirez and be out on the trail consistently for Democratic candidates. All elections are partisan. Mr. Ramirez gets it. Houston City Council Democrats often do not appear to get it. 

​Here are the names of Houston City Council Democrats-- Sallie Alcorn, Martha Castex-Tatum, Mario Castillo, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Tarsha Jackson, Abbie Kamin, Joaquin Martinez, Letitia Plummer, Ed Pollard, Tiffany Thomas. 

Contact Houston City Council Democrats and ask them to show up to fight for democracy, as effectively and as often as Mr. Ramirez shows up to harm democracy.      

Republicans promise violence if they lose and authoritarianism if they win. They promise mass round-ups of migrants. Take it all at face value. Demand our elected officials show up.  

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.  

Please share word of the Houston Democracy Project and support the effort with your contribution. If you have a question about the Project or a suggestion, please send an e-mail to [email protected]