Joint HPD/Federal Militarized Operation-No Reason For Either Paranoia Or Trust

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​The Houston Police Department put out the notice you see above regarding a joint military training operation with the federal government and other law enforcement agencies. 

I’m not reflexively suspicious of military things in cities and in civilian spaces. These type operations are routine to a degree & I’ve seen convoys of army jeeps on highways and tanks transported on trains. I don’t give it much thought. 

There was a similar ten day operation in Houston in 2022. 

And yet--there is no reason to give HPD, John Whitmire or the federal government the benefit of the doubt in the current political environment. Certainly whatever is being rehearsed and whatever information is being obtained is useful to Trump’s plans to invade cities.
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Did Mayor Whitmire ask any specifics about how what is learned in this operation will be used and get assurances it won't be used to violate people's rights. Below you see what Trump posted today about Chicago. That should give Mayor Whitmire pause....You'd hope....You'd think.

HPD won't come clean on its cooperation with ICE no matter how many times the Chronicle reports on the subject. Immigration enforcement is central to everything Trump does. Immigration enforcement should be seen as part of this operation. 

Where is the two week pro-democracy operation where elected city officials fan out across Houston to inform people on the ever-growing threats to due process and civil liberties? 

Just last week there was a substantial Houston Police presence at a peaceful pro-democracy rally and march. 

The city and HPD may see all this as routine. Just like they see over-policing protest as routine. There is no reason for either paranoia or trust. We must stay alert, look out for one another and be willing to meet the challenge of the difficult days ahead. 

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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