At What Point Do We Stop Cooperating With State & Federal Governments As They Attack Our Rights

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​I had a good-faith private ten minute conversation yesterday, 5/6, with one of the Houston City Councilmembers who switched on the ICE vote. It doesn't matter who it was. I'm not criticizing the person. I appreciated the talk.

(Above is picture I took of 2015 Veterans Day at Houston City Hall.)

The councilmember talked about the potential of lost resources from the state if the ICE ordinance had been allowed to stand. That's been the argument in favor of greatly diluting the ordinance.

It occurred to me later that this is the exact same point made at the beginning of each Texas Legislative session. Some Democrats-fewer every session-say we have to vote for a Republican Speaker and plead for committee assignments so that we can get whatever Republicans choose to grant.

Now the legislature is getting set to dismantle majority-minority legislative districts in the 2027 session & legislative Republicans support Trump and Abbott no matter how far-right they go.

I keep asking what/where is the off ramp? When do you stop cooperating? What happens when our Harris County elections are interfered with? When does it become a Vichy-type collaboration? The state and federal governments intend us tremendous harm. They are already doing us tremendous harm. They are coming for all our rights.

We are navigating without guardrails. But we do know that business as usual has failed. We have to ask ourselves everyday and assess everyday how to protect ourselves, fight back and move forward.

​My wager is that appeasing the current-day Republican Party is a losing bet.

The next action is when you organize it. The 1st Amendment is your permit. The only credential needed is your presence. The work ahead is ours.

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