![]() Houstonian Sarah Terrell was arrested at the HISD Board meeting this past Thursday evening. She was asked to be quiet by the unelected Board of Managers. But she kept talking and telling the truth. The days and months ahead may bring many conflicts between pro-democracy patriots and people who work to take democracy away. We must press our elected officials at every turn to be the side of democracy. If we don't stand up for Sarah, who will stand up for us when we take needed action to protect freedom for ourselves, our families and our communities? Elected officials must know we will have the back of everyday citizens like Sarah who act bravely on behalf of all of us. Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare should drop charges against Ms. Terrell. Here is the e-mail to share this view with the DA: [email protected] How can Sarah face punishment while the January 6th traitors who attacked cops and tried to overturn an election go free? How can Sarah be put in this position by an unelected Board? Citizen-activism played a big part in DA Teare's election. The censure of former DA Kim Ogg by Harris County Democratic Party Precinct Chairs was an important milestone in Mr. Teare's primary win over former DA Ogg. That effort was fully volunteer-activist led. DA Teare knows the value of community leadership. From the Houston Chronicle about Sarah's arrest: Nearly five-and-a-half hours into the board's regular January meeting, HISD board member Janette Garza Lindner proposed a motion for the appointed board to authorize the sale of 17 district properties deemed surplus.....“Why don’t you sell Hattie Mae while you’re at it?” said Sarah Terrell, before the board voted on the measure. “You are the most disappointing people.”...The Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center is HISD’s headquarters, where the Board of Managers holds monthly meetings. After Terrell spoke, HISD board President Audrey Momanaee verbally gave Terrell her first warning, and Terrell immediately responded with “You are so disappointing.” . And it went from there until Sarah was dragged out in handcuffs as you see in the picture above. In the last few days, it's been reported Superintendent Miles authorized $870 million is HISD purchases without proper board approval. From the Houston Landing: "Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ administration greenlit about $870 million in spending over the past 16 months without receiving required school board approval, breaking district policy....HISD administrators did not bring about 130 purchase agreements — all made through a process that allows HISD to skip soliciting bids from vendors — to the district’s state-appointed board for monthly approval, bypassing a step designed to provide oversight and transparency... Also from The Houston Chronicle: "Alex Elizondo, HISD's chief of public affairs and communications, said Friday that the Harris County District Attorney's Office had accepted charges filed against Terrell for trespassing. ....." Imagine a decent citizen of the community being charged with trespassing in a public building by this usurper board. Spending $870 million without proper oversight is fine--But Ms. Terrell merits arrest and charges. Here is what Community Voices for Public Education said about the arrest in an e-mail to supporters: "We urge the Board to prioritize de-escalation strategies and avoid arresting individuals in non-violent situations. Sarah received a first warning, followed by a second warning just three seconds later, and was then ordered to leave the board room moments later before being arrested—this chaotic escalation makes no sense as a policy for constituents. Despite Sarah offering to sit down, she was handcuffed and charged, even though there was no threat to anyone’s safety to justify such an escalation. This disproportionate response sends a harmful message to students about conflict resolution and silences those who wish to voice their concerns. HISD should have allowed her the opportunity to leave voluntarily, rather than resorting to arrest." Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare should drop charges against Ms. Terrell. Here is the e-mail to share this view with the DA: [email protected] Sarah is a strong & committed activist with a history of advocacy and care for our schools far more extensive than any of the so-called Board of Managers. She should be honored rather than arrested. We must understand the stakes involved in these fights. We must understand that each of us has the power to act and make a difference. We must look out and care for one another in these very dark times. 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 the Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways. Please help the effort.
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February 2025
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