Our Actions Matter-Whitmire's Anti-1st Amendment Ordinance

I attended the monthly Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus meeting this evening. At the beginning of the meeting, candidates and folks with a political point to make can address the attendees for 60 seconds. I want to share this because it's important we realize that we can make a difference & we cannot rely on elected officials to speak up for our rights even at this perilous moment.    

Here's what I said--

"I’m Neil Aquino-A Caucus member and founder of the Houston Democracy Project. I’m here to report on the effectiveness of Caucus and rank and file citizen advocacy. Last month Caucus membership voted near unanimously to oppose Mayor Whitmire’s anti-First Amendment ordinance prohibiting protest politician’s homes. I introduced motion to oppose. We can’t lose our rights as we face an authoritarian threat. I thought the ordinance would pass & a Councilmember told me it would. But it did not. Whitmire didn’t have the votes. Our advocacy mattered. The opposition of the Caucus was mentioned in Council debate. The ordinance was sent to Council’s law committee for next Tuesday at 10 AM. Keep up the opposition. No elected official, to my knowledge, outside council spoke up against this attack on our rights. This even as our conventional political systems take us to the brink of authoritarianism and mass migrant round ups. Don’t forget your power as a citizen and our power together. Hold electeds accountable and be ready for the fights ahead at the ballot box, and anywhere else we need to be. Thank you. Houstondemocracyproject.com" 

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