Councilmember Carter Sends Head Of Police Union To Stand Near Me Because I Was Taking Pictures Of Them In Public At City Hall

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE HOSTON DEMOCRACY PROJECT

​






​







​
​This past Wednesday, 3/19, I went to the press conference at Houston City Hall about the proposed ordinance regulating City of Houston interactions with ICE. 

Also watching the press conference was far-right Republican At-Large Councilwoman Twila Carter. Because I always need content for social media and for my Houston Democracy Project Blog, I took pictures of Ms. Carter. 

There is nothing unusual about taking pictures of a Houston City Councilmember at Houston City Hall. I had no interest in provoking anybody. 

However, Ms. Carter was agitated. She sent a staffer to ask who I was. I told the staffer I was a citizen. Because again, I don't need to identify myself for taking pictures of an elected official in a public place. 

That seemed the end of the matter. 

A few minutes later though, Ms. Carter was joined by Houston Police Officer’s Union boss Doug Griffith. I wanted a picture of the two of them together at the press conference as well. 

I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve had my picture taken at the weekly John Cornyn Houston Office Protest at least 200 times over the past nine years. If not 300 or 400or more. Passers-by take our picture all the time. Some of them are really unfriendly-seeming people in giant trucks.  

It’s okay though because we are in public and that is how it goes. I can stay home if I don't like it. 

In the picture above you see what appears to be Councilmember Carter pointing me out to Mr. Griffith. Below you see Mr. Griffith standing right in front of me as Ms. Carter smiles in the background. Mr. Griffith stood next to me for about five minutes.

It was just so stupid. In addition to having my picture taken many times by strangers , I've interacted with many police officers. When I go to a big protest, I'll get nods or a greeting from a fair number of officers. I'm not intimidated by police officers. I'm not looking for conflict with police officers. I just want to live in a free society. 

It must be nice to be an elected official who can just direct the head of the police union to bug law-abiding citizens. It must be nice at least if you are a lousy person like Twila Carter.

Mr. Griffith came to Houston City Council this past November and said that use of the word "fight" in describing how you'll oppose ICE could be taken as a threat to law enforcement. Last June, Councilmember Carter advised people to stay away from the first No Kings because she was concerned there might be trouble. 

These two do not appear the have the capacity to accurately assess public safety concerns. Thoughtful Houstonians should discard their views on public safety issues. 

Here is what Donald Trump said today:  "Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the Radical Left, Highly Incompetent, Democrat Party!" Now that sounds like a threat. I encourage Ms. Carter & Mr. Griffith to concern themselves with actual extremists and genuine public safety threats. 

Councilmember Carter is up for reelection in 2027. Let us please work to defeat her. 

---

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE HOUSTON DEMOCRACY PROJECT