Please Contribute To The Houston Democracy Project--I'm Independent & Always Show Up

Please CONTRIBUTE

Here is my monthly pitch for contributions to the Houston Democracy Project. I'm an independent source of information, an effective organizer and a tireless advocate for democracy in Houston and Harris County. My sole source of funding is your generous donations. In these difficult times, independence has never been more important. I show up and speak up. 

​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 now at over 8 years 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 featured speaker at local Democratic Party club meetings. I've spoken at Baytown, Spring, Humble, Oak Forest and at the quarterly Clubs & Organizations meeting of all Democratic club presidents. I'm happy to speak at your club or organization meeting. 

* A consistent and active social media presence with a wide audience. Find me on Bluesky, where I have over 7600 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. 

* I led a successful campaign to contact Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare to ask him to drop charges in the wrongful arrest of activist Sarah Terrell at a meeting of the unelected HISD Board. 

* 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. 

​* I'm also a resource for information about how to protest in Houston. In the weeks since Trump's return to office, I've had a number of conversations with Houstonians looking for ideas and strategies to make an impact.   
 
* 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. I also did a CW 39 news interview for a report that aired about local support for the February 28 economic blackout. 
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​* Always showing up for others & not yielding an inch to the right. I'm willing to challenge elected officials. I'm fully autonomous with no entangling connection to any interest group or politician. 

Please help me continue the work with your contribution. 

​Please CONTRIBUTE