CM Martinez Asks For Light HPD Hand With Striking Workers-Council Can Also Address HPD & ICE And Pro-Democracy Protesters

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Democratic Houston City Councilmember Joaquin Martinez said an interesting thing at yesterday's, 9/3, Council meeting. 

Councilmember Martinez spoke in support of striking UNITE HERE Local 23 workers. They are striking the Hilton Americas Hotel. It is good that Mr. Martinez backs the strike. 

From Channel 11:

"Workers at the Hilton Americas hotel in downtown Houston have been on strike since Labor Day. It's the first strike of hotel workers in Texas history. The workers have said they want higher wages and respect. They want at least $23 an hour in a new union contract. They said they've been negotiating since their last contract expired on June 30. "I’m on strike for better pay, a fair schedule, and more affordable health insurance. I’m in need of a surgery right now, but if I were to take off, I wouldn’t be able to survive. I had to take out loans this month just to afford my rent. I haven’t been getting the hours I need, even though I’m a full-time employee. Cynthia Pratt said. Pratt has been a server at 1600 Bar & Grille for 13 years."

At the 2 hour 3 minute mark of the HTV broadcast of the meeting, Councilmember Martinez said he called Mayor Whitmire to make certain the strikers could proceed without concern they would be arrested. Above you see a screenshot of Councilmember Martinez and a portion of his comments. 

I found his comments interesting. It is useful to hear the public assertion that HPD response to a situation can be guided by elected officials. Over Labor Day, I wrote about a peaceful pro-democracy rally and march that commanded significant Houston police resources. 

As we move deeper into authoritarianism in Texas and the nation, we can ask that Houston City Councilmembers advocate for a light police hand for pro-democracy Houstonians using First Amendment rights to demand freedom.

At the Houston City Council Public Comment session of August 26, many Houstonians asked Council to end HPD's cooperation with ICE. No Councilmember responded one way or another. But now we know for certain that Councilmembers do have a voice and do make asks regarding HPD responses. (Councilmember Martinez held a Know Your Rights event that included immigration rights this past January. He knows the deal about what is going on about all our rights & could speak about ICE if he decided to do so..) 

Each day offers opportunity for Houston City Council to ask that HPD stop working with ICE. 

Every elected official takes an oath of office to protect the Constitution of the United States.

​Councilmember Martinez has asked that we be able to "..lift up our voices without any threats of being arrested." 

Let's hold those words as a standard for Mayor Whitmire and Council as we oppose the far-right takeover of our lives and our futures. 

Here is information to help learn about & interact with Houston City Council: 

Public comment time at Houston City Council is each Tuesday at 2 PM with the exception of the last Tuesday of each month when it is at 5:30 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 is available at any time on the HTV feed on Facebook. Here is the link to past sessions of Council. Here are maps of Council districts so you can see who represents you. 

Below is contact information for Mayor Whitmire & Council. 

Mayor Whitmire—713-837-0311 [email protected] 

Democrats: 
At-Large-Letitia Plummer 832-393-3012  [email protected]
At-Large-Sallie Alcorn 832-393-3017  [email protected]
District B-Tarsha Jackson 832-393-3009  [email protected]
District C-Abbie Kamin 832-393-3004  [email protected]
District D-Carolyn Evans-Shabazz 832-393-3001 [email protected]
District F-Tiffany Thomas 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District H-Mario Castillo 832-393-3002  [email protected]
District I-Joaquin Martinez 832-393-3011 [email protected]
District J-Edward Pollard 832-393-3015  [email protected]
District K-Martha Castex-Tatum 832-393-3016  [email protected]

Republicans: 
At-Large-Julian Ramirez 832-393-3014 [email protected]
At-Large-Willie Davis 832-393-3013 [email protected] 
At-Large-Twila Carter 832-393-3005 [email protected]
District A-Amy Peck 832-393-3010 [email protected]
District E-Fred Flickinger 832-393-3008 [email protected] 
District G-Mary Nan Huffman 832-393-3007 [email protected] ​

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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