Councilmember Martinez Holds Know Your Rights Meeting Including Immigration Rights-A Step Towards Needed Leadership

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​Houston City District I Councilmember Joaquin Martinez yesterday hosted a meeting to inform Houstonians of rights and resources they have in immigration matters. (And also as renters.)

Above you see notice of the event. It was also posted in Spanish. 

It has been difficult to get local elected Democrats to even acknowledge the imminent prospect of mass deportations. As part of my work with the Houston Democracy Project, I spoke at Council in October about the deportations. I've also posted here about how Texas Senate District 15, my senate district, is 42% Latino and 9% Asian. Senator Molly Cook should take an active role in telling people in SD 15 what is on the way.

Mr. Martinez posted some pictures of the event. There were many topics addressed beyond immigration and renters rights. I hope it was a constructive time. Councilmember Sallie Alcorn also attended as did a member of Republican Councilmember Twila Carter's staff. Councilmember Carter attended a Mattress Mack-sponsored get out the vote rally. So I'd not trust anybody associated with her about any immigration concerns. 

Councilmember Martinez was a part of a Zoom town hall in early October calling for a tax hike to replace City of Houston budget funds lost from storm recovery efforts. He was joined in that effort by Councilmembers Alcorn, Letitia Plummer and Mario Castillo. The four councilmembers did not have to do that. They took a political risk to call for a tax increase. (The needed revenue hike got nowhere. A portion of the lost funds was restored by far-right Dan Patrick throwing a bone to his buddy Mayor Whitmire. It wasn't a gift. It was money Houston pays in taxes to the state and that often does not get returned.)

There is a lot of trouble ahead. Deportation raids may well break up families and involve deportations of American citizens. Civil rights are at risk. 

Elected officials are rarely reliable allies. But you never know who will show up with some imagination or even courage. Councilmember Martinez's meeting was a step forward because he acknowledged the issue publicly. Thank you to Councilmember Martinez for that step.

​Though soon enough a lot more will be needed. 

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.​​

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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