Be Ready To Show Up In Any Way Required

Four weeks to Election Day. Below are some thoughts and observations from the Houston Democracy Project.

* In addition to voting, we must be ready to show up in any way required. Republicans don't intend to accept election results they don't like. After we vote, we need to be prepared for next steps.      

* Republicans promise violence if they lose and authoritarianism if they win. It's not acceptable. You don't have to accept it.      

* Elected officials are often not reliable allies. Winning election after election in low turnout gerrymandered districts is barely democracy. The political fate of many of the people we vote for is in fact not connected to elections.  We must advocate and fight for ourselves.     

* Elected officials and well-funded candidates in Houston and Harris County have an obligation to show up on the campaign trail in 2024. So do elected Democrats not on the ballot in ’24. How could you not help out with so much at stake?    

* Police and firefighter unions endorsing candidates who won’t commit to accepting election results and support mass deportations are a threat to public safety. There is no public safety without democracy. These unions support these candidates right out in the open, but elected officials don't say a word.  

* Local political journalists must ask local elected Republicans if they will commit to accepting election results they don’t like and about mass deportations. Will they take part in implementing Project 2025 locally? Authoritarianism will require a local infrastructure. It is people right here at home who put Turmp/Vance/Musk polices in place on a day-to-day basis.      

* Be able to connect with the people you would trust in an authoritarian crisis. Large social media networks can't be counted on. Have the information you need to contact the people you trust.   

* Don’t neglect what a mental health crisis this push towards authoritarianism is for millions of Americans.    Don't neglect your own mental well-being. 

​Here is a fundraising pitch for Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways.  Please help the effort. 
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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.

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