The Texas Senate voted today to allow disgraceful Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to remain in office rather than impeaching him.

Above you see Greg Abbott's statement about Paxton. They are getting right back to bad actions. 

Much of the focus about the vote has been about various factions of the Texas Republican Party.  

But who cares? The Texas legislative session earlier this year was cruel and awful. There is not a decent or thoughtful faction in the Texas Republican Party.

It's good to have the clarity the impeachment verdict today provides.  

We are being told out loud there are no standards in Texas other than Republican power. We have an unaccountable thug as the top law enforcement officer in Texas, while at the same time Republicans in Texas and the nation support Donald Trump's return to the White House.

We must vote. 

We must also understand that the Republican Party does not respect democracy. 

There is not some reasonable process and procedure of government going on in Austin. There is a drive toward authoritarian power.  

We must vote, organize, be ready to protest and be aware of our physical safety in this political environment.  

The Houston Democracy Project is working everyday to make protection and expansion of democracy a top issue in 2023 Houston city politics & to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston.  

Protecting democracy is the central issue in Houston and Harris County politics. We've lost our Houston elected school board in what just 60 years ago was a Jim Crow city. Local Republican voters, candidates and officials are strongly aligned with the authoritarian and vengeful plans of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. We must be ready to respond, organize and protect ourselves.  

Please share word of the Project and support the effort with your donation.

The Houston Democracy Project was at the Houston Tejano Democrats municipal candidate endorsement meeting this evening.  

They had a good crowd and it was a lively session. There were many strong rank & file democracy advocates ready to insist that candidates and elected officials fight for us as we confront rising authoritarianism locally and across the nation. 

The Houston Democracy Project is out every day (And on the phone or the Zoom call from home!), making the case for democracy as a top issue in '23 Houston city politics. I had conversations tonight & advocated for a few City of Houston candidates who have made protection of democracy an issue in their campaigns.    

Please support the Project as we work together to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.   

There is a great deal lot of trouble ahead. We must face the reality of our situation & find our way to each other while there is still time. 

I've been reading Let The Record show: A Political History Of Act Up New York, 1987-1993.

I made a post here recently about some ideas in the book.

​A concept explored in the book is acceptance of distressing facts. Here is what author Sarah Schulman writes:

"Acceptance is an essential part of effective political action. It doesn't mean defeat, withdrawal or diminishment, but rather a necessary recognition of conditions as they actually are, so as to better address them.......Here we see how Act Up's reality-driven culture.....The necessarily radical, non punitive and lifesaving approach to the problem of HIV  transmission through sharing needles relied on Act Up'ers lived experiences of narcotics and illegal drug use, developed in the context of realistically facing, without judgment or idealism, the mass death experience that was every day in the lives of AIDS activists."

The acceptance of a harsh reality is essential to our fight for democracy in Houston and Harris County, in Texas and across the nation.

If you'd told me 30 years ago, when I was in my 20's, that in 2023 Roe would be gone, the Voting Rights Act mostly gone, that we had messed up the weather and we'd be fighting for free elections--I'd not have been happy.

But these are the facts that we must grasp are real.

We see open defiance of the Supreme Court by the State of Alabama regarding what is left of the Voting Rights Act & the increasing likelihood of an impeachment effort against a newly elected Democratic Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice by a far-right gerrymandered Wisconsin legislature.  

Law enforcement unions are moving further and further to the right. They are looking to bypass multi-racial democracy in cities and counties to appeal to authoritarian state governments.      

There is no reason to trust that the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives would accept Joe Biden winning re-election next year or that the Texas legislature would certify a Ted Cruz defeat.

A large majority of Republican voters don't accept the 2020 election outcome as legitimate and Republican frontrunner for President, Donald Trump, is open and clear about his second term plans of dismantling the Federal Government and vengeance against opponents.       

Locally, we've lost our Houston elected school board in what just 60 years ago was a Jim Crow city & Harris County Republicans are still in court trying to undo 2022 election results.

I don't believe we've been defeated or that we can't turn events around. The Houston Democracy Project is an act of optimism.   

But we must accept where we are and act with the urgency required to protect ourselves and to save our futures. This involves voting, insisting that the Democrats we vote for are willing to fight for us, understanding that we may need to be on the streets and having confidence in ourselves that we can impact and make better the course of events.

The Houston Democracy Project is working everyday to make democracy a top issue in 2023 Houston politics, and to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.

Please share word of the Project and support the effort with your donation.

The Houston Democracy Project was at the quarterly Harris County Democratic Party precinct chair meeting this evening. 

They had a good crowd as you see in the picture. Lot's of strong rank & file democracy advocates ready to insist that candidates and elected officials are willing to fight for us.  

The Houston Democracy Project is out every day (And on the phone or the Zoom call from home!), making the case for democracy as a top issue in '23 Houston city politics. I had plenty of conversations tonight, made my case for democracy as a top issue in our politics and took in the scene.    

Please support the Project as we all work together to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.   

There is a lot of trouble ahead and we need to find our way to each other while there is still time. 

he Houston Democracy Project tries to keep it local. The fight over the construction of Cop City in Atlanta and the State of Georgia charges resulting from that fight are a matter of both national and local importance.

The charges point towards a criminalization for organizing for justice and freedom. 

Cop City is a giant police training camp planned for construction in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. The legal fights over the place are not just between organizers and the Republican-run State of Georgia. Democratic-run City of Atlanta is refusing to verify signatures that would force a referendum on Cop City.
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​The issue with the Cop City indictments and the refusal of City of Atlanta to certify the signatures is deeper even than organizing for social justice. It strikes right to heart of the fight for democracy. It is not difficult to imagine charges meant to criminalize dissent and the expression of dissent, after the overturning of an election or the exclusion of votes in a close election.     

A Houston-based organization that has grasped the connection of the Cop City issue to organizing in Houston and elsewhere is West Street Recovery. They issued a statement about the indictments that is copied in full below.

Here is the mission statement of WSR: 

"West Street Recovery’s mission is to connect communities to the resources that they need to not only rebuild after climate disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, but to build communities that are resilient,  secure and stronger than before." 

There is a lot of denial about where we are in our politics today.  The right has an anti-democratic gun to our heads. West Street Recovery was right to speak up. Other social justice/human rights-orientated non-profits, and elected officials as well, should do the same.    

Here is the statement from West Street Recovery: 

"This week prosecutors in Georgia indicted 61 organizers and activists on Racketeering and Conspiracy charges related to the resistance to the construction of a massive police tactical training center known as “cop city.”  For WSR, and for any individual or organization engaged in social justice work, the action by the state of Georgia is gravely concerning. The indictment, which you can and should read in full here, describes the Defend Atlanta Forest group as “Anarchists, Community Organizers and Eco Activists.” It explains that the group promotes “mutual aid, collectivism and social solidarity.”  The indictment is an attempt to criminalize dissent and organizing. It is also designed to intimidate non profits and non profit workers who support movements for police accountability and environmental justice.

As an organization we enthusiastically and steadfastly promote “mutual aid, collectivism and social solidarity.” These beliefs and the practices that are inspired by them are essential components of any movement towards liberation. In fact, these beliefs are at the root of community and society itself. Although WSR’s staff volunteers and community members are  ideologically diverse, many members of us could be described with the terms used in the indictment: “anarchist, eco activists” -- and all of us (and we hope many of you reading this) are “community organizers.” Framing these identities, beliefs and practices as part of a criminal enterprise is intentional and is designed to create fear among people like us who work every day to enact a more just, equitable and peaceful world.

It is notable that the indictment says that the conspiracy began May 25, 2020, the day George Floyd was murdered by Police in Minneapolis. This choice by prosecutors makes it clear that ending organized resistance to police violence is a key goal of the prosecution. Because authorities understand how social movements work they have targeted the logistical, financial and communications support that makes protest effective and sustainable. All movements for justice require this kind of support. Montgomery bus boycotters were provided carpools and mechanical repairs for community drivers by churches and civil rights leaders. LGBTQ+ people with AIDS were provided hospice care by nuns and queer nurses alike when governments refused to acknowledge that the virus existed. And, during the 2020 Black Liberation Uprising protesters were provided legal support, bail assistance and street medic care.  Because we believe in a world rooted in justice and equality, and because we believe radical shifts in material distribution, power relations, and connection with our environment are needed to achieve a just world, WSR will continue to support the movements and coalitions, like those in Atlanta, that are working tirelessly towards that goal. 

WSR stands in solidarity with the resistance to Cop City. We stand in opposition to an indictment that seeks to criminalize mutual aid work and educational work intended to create a more just future. And, finally, we call on anyone reading this to continue doing the mutual aid work, community organizing work and collective action that has always been the engine for equality, justice and peace." 

Houston City Council At-large #1 candidate Conchita Reyes has added democracy to her campaign website after discussion with the Houston Democracy Project.

Ms. Reyes' words well-reflect her pre-exisiting commitment to freedom for all.

(Picture above is Ms. Reyes at a recent community forum.)

Here is what Ms. Reyes' says on the front page of her campaign website:

"As a strong advocate for democracy, I am committed to upholding its principles and working tirelessly to represent the interests and aspirations of the people I serve. I firmly believe in the power of democracy as the cornerstone of our society, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.

Democracy empowers us to shape our collective future, fostering inclusivity, diversity and collaboration."

Ms. Reyes is the fourth Houston '23 municipal candidate so far to add protection and support of democracy to their campaign websites after talking with the Houston Democracy Project. The other three are Obes Nwabara for At-Large #2, Donnell Cooper for At-Large #3 and Ivan Sanchez in District J. Ethan Michelle Ganz for At-Large #3 also has strong pro-democracy language on their campaign website.

The Houston Democracy Project is working everyday to make protection and expansion of democracy a top issue in 2023 Houston city politics & to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston.

Protecting democracy is a big issue in Houston city politics. We've lost our elected school board in what just 60 years ago was a Jim Crow city. Local Republican voters, candidates and officials are strongly aligned with the authoritarian vision of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. We need to be ready to respond, organize and protect ourselves.

Please share word of the Project and support the effort with your donation.

The Houston Democracy Project was at the Houston candidate endorsement meeting of the Houston Black American Democrats today.

It was a well-attended event as you see in the picture.

The Houston Democracy Project is out across the city each day (Or on the phone from home!), making the case for democracy as a top issue in '23 Houston city politics. I had plenty of conversations at the HBAD meeting and took in the scene. 

Please support the Project as we all work together to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.   

There is a lot of trouble ahead and we need to find our way to each other while there is still time.  

In addition working everyday for democracy, the Houston Democracy Project likes to take pictures. 

Above is a recent picture I took of Houston. 

Everyday life is fun, hopeful and interesting.  

Some of these pictures are on the front page of the Project. Check out the pictures and read the text as well! 

There is a full selection of my pictures on the Pictures I Have Taken section of the Houston Democracy Project. 

Give it a look & share it around. 

The Houston Democracy Project works everyday to make protection of democracy a top issue in 2023 Houston city elections & to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston.    

Here is an account of the first four successful months of the Project.   

Come for the pictures and stay for the freedom. Or the other way around.

​And please contribute to the Project before you go. Your support allows me to be a strong pro-democracy voice in Houston and Harris County.

Below are themes and ideas the Houston Democracy Project has written about on the Houston Democracy Project Blog. Ideas matter. They translate into action even in our lousy politics. Rank & file voters in Houston and Harris County with a commitment to a future rooted in democracy, have the ability to make a difference in local politics.    

The Houston Democracy Project is working everyday to make democracy an important issue in 2023 Houston city elections & to help inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County. After this year's city elections are over, the Project will focus on 2024 elections in Harris County and Texas.     

(Above is picture I took of Houston.)

Please read the posts linked to here (A few of them at least!) & please support the Houston Democracy Project. I'm making a push for donations in advance of my birthday on September 15th. Keeping up the fight for democracy is a good birthday present for you and for me. (No matter what day your birthday is.)

​Rank & file Houstonians have leverage with municipal candidates and elected officials. They want your vote. Make use of that leverage.   

Houston city elections are not in reality non-partisan.  Party identification of candidates matters and should be discussed. This is so important because the Republican Party is anti-democratic and a threat to our freedom and safety.  

Houston municipal candidates put us at risk when they ignore threats to democracy. It is like ignoring a hurricane warning in the hope the storm will dissipate. 

Houston municipal candidates saying we should reach out to Republicans must make the case it is safe and pragmatic to do so. Shouldn't we  at the least ask that people we are talking to will respect election results?

Sometimes there is no common ground between opposing viewpoints and we must prepare for those type situations. 

We can't allow the threat of violence and acts of violence from the right force us to stop our political activity. 

The people of Houston deserve protection from the right. There is no public safety without democracy.

Law Enforcement unions calling for the removal of elected judges is an attack on democracy. It is one thing to call for defeat at the polls or for the judge to resign. It is another thing to appeal to a far right state government for removal. 

Our elected Democrats must be more energetic and brave in protecting democracy.  

We must be willing to name names. For example--The Houston Democracy Project believes that U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia and Texas Sate Senator Carol Alvarado are damaging the electoral prospects of down-ballot Democrats by supporting John Whitmire for Mayor. Though Sen. Whitmire is a Democrat, his prospects depend on strong Republican turnout.      

Here are reasons to contribute to the Houston Democracy Project. In just four short months the Project has a strong record of action and achievement. 

Your support allows the work to continue, assists the cause of freedom for all in Houston and Harris County & is a self-intrested investment in assuring that democracy remains on the agenda here in the most diverse community in the United States. 

September 15th is my birthday, and I’m taking the occasion to ask for your contribution to the Houston Democracy Project.

The Houston Democracy Project has succeeded in getting four ’23 Houston City Council candidates, so far, to add protection of democracy to their campaign websites and has influenced moderators’ questions at local candidate forums. The Project is speaking clearly across racial, class and educational divisions in Houston about the threat we face from the anti-democratic right and planting seeds for the needed responses in the uncertain days ahead.     

I’ve aggressively promoted the Project, and the fight for democracy in Houston and Harris County, at Democratic Party and human rights-oriented meetings, in numerous one-on-one conversations with elected officials, candidates, opinion leaders and voters, and on social media. I was the featured speaker at the August Baytown Area Democrats meeting. The Project maintains a daily blog with a consistently increasing audience.

Since its launch, the Houston Democracy Project has been written up by a leading Texas political Substack, endorsed by a popular former member of Houston City Council, been the subject of a widely-viewed Facebook Live interview series and was a source for accurate reports for the weekly pre-trial hearings for the Harris County Republican election-denial lawsuits. The Houston Democracy Project is featured weekly on Egberto Willies’ Politics Done Right broadcast on Houston station KPFT. 

I’m asking for your support because people doing the work need resources. As we confront authoritarianism locally and across the nation, there must be independent voices willing to sound the alarm, call on elected officials and candidates to speak up and act, and to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions. 

I’m that independent voice in Houston and Harris County. I must be able to maintain my autonomy and be able the commit the time and effort required to be an effective advocate. After the 2023 Houston elections are done, I’ll use the Houston Democracy Project to focus on the 2024 Harris County and Texas primaries and on the general election.  

Your contribution is a strong assertion that we can change the culture of municipal politics in Houston to include discussion of democracy. It’s a vote of confidence that rank & file Democrats and all people who count on a future rooted in freedom for themselves and their families can have meaningful influence in our politics.  

Your contribution makes it possible for me to continue. The Houston Democracy Project website is  NeilAquino.com. I can be reached at [email protected] for questions or suggestions.   

​Thank you for your support.