Inauguration Day A Great Day To Contribute To Houston Democracy Project-I Never Let Up For Local Democracy

Please CONTRIBUTE

​


​



​Today is Presidential Inauguration Day. It couldn't be more depressing. 

​It's also Martin Luther King Day. That's a source of hope. 

​The Houston Democracy Project will keep at it no matter what. Your contribution will help me continue the effort. 

​(Above is a picture of Houston I took. There is a photography section in the Houston Democracy Project.)

​Authoritarianism will require a local infrastructure. Local officials will be fully involved with supporting and implementing Musk/Trump's far-right plans. They should be held accountable. We must also ask more of Democratic Party elected officials. Consistent low turnout in Democratic districts and failure to acknowledge the seriousness of what is going on is no path forward.

​Here is some of what the Houston Democracy Project involves: 

*The Houston Democracy Project Blog you are reading right now.

* The Houston Democracy Project Hour on the Egberto Willies' Politics Done Right Show every Thursday on KPFT-FM at 6 AM. You can watch it on Egberto's YouTube page at any time. 

* Co-Organizer of the John Cornyn Houston Office Protest, which is approaching its 8th year on Houston streets. It's essential people see others like themselves willing to stand confidently for democracy no matter the aggression of the right. We set the example. 

* A number of appearances as the featured speaker at local Democratic Party club meetings. My next speaking engagement is set for the Oak Forest Democrats meeting on March 3rd. 

* A consistent and active social media presence with a wide audience. Find me on Bluesky, where I have nearly 7000 followers so far @neilaquino.bsky.social 

* Active participation in the Texas Grassroots Alliance, which works to support autonomous Texas grassroots organizers. I recently took part in panel discussions about the future of Texas progressive activism at the TGA Progressive Summit in Fort Worth. 

* I'm the 2024 Barbara Cigainero Volunteer of the Year award winner for the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus. 

* A special focus on Houston City Council and democracy issues. I sometimes speak at Council. I often post here about Council and Mayor Whitmire. 

I've closely followed and made an impact on Council's discussion of issues such as the right to protest on sidewalks & Houston's Sidewalk Ordinance. How we use public space is an essential aspect of democracy.

​I'm a resource for information about Houston City Council in general. Please e-mail me at [email protected] with any questions about what is going on at Council. I'll do my best to answer or work to find an answer. 
 
* Numerous, ongoing one-on-one conversations with rank and file democracy advocates and with candidates/elected officials about support and protection of our freedom.  

* I was chosen by a television news program in Estonia as a Texas activist to talk to, for a show about Election '24 broadcast across the three Baltic nations. 
​
​* Always showing up for others & not yielding an inch to the right. I'm also willing to challenge elected officials. I'm fully autonomous with no entangling connection to any interest group or politician. 

I was quoted in the Houston Chronicle online edition about protests at City Hall this past Saturday.

I made three important points:

1. It is up to us. Nobody is coming to save us.
2. We have to find our way to one another despite our differences. 
3. The 1st Amendment is your permit to protest.

From the Chronicle:

​"57-year-old Neil Aquino, who has been part of a group that has protested outside of Senator John Cornyn’s office in Houston every Tuesday afternoon for the last eight years. Aquino said he came Saturday mainly to oppose Trump’s inauguration, but welcomed the manifold crowd of feminists, Democrats, Brown Berets, Democratic Socialists and more.

'It’s important for people to see people like themselves stand up for democracy about any topic,” Aquino said. “The first amendment is your permit.' "

Our freedom is up to us. Please contribute as I work for all of us. Thank you. 

---

Please CONTRIBUTE