Protest Matters, Houston City Council Can Be Better-Speaking At Spring Branch Democrats

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​This past Wednesday, 8/19, I was a speaker at the Spring Branch Democrats meeting. I appreciate the invitation to speak.

Here is what I said:

1. Protest matters. We saw this in the 2024 South Korean martial law crisis and in the rank & file led response to ICE from Minnesota. We've seen it right here in Houston where Mayor Whitmire and his council allies, were not allowed to get away with calling the ICE murder of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo a matter for the federal government only to investigate. 

2. Opposing a white supremacist, authoritarian movement-such as the Republican Party-is not going to always be safe. There are challenging days ahead. 

3. The line between voting and protest is merging. Voting for a Black, Islamic progressive woman to be the top elected official in the largest county in Texas is an act of protest in this political climate. 

4. We can elect a better Houston City Council in 2027. The 2027 Houston City Council election is already well-underway. District A, which includes Spring Branch, will be an open seat with incumbent Republican Amy Peck term-limited. This is a district Kamala Harris carried in 2024. 

Far-right, at-large Republicans Twila Carter and Willie Davis can and must be defeated. Tell people now who these people are so that the political climate exists to boot them from council next year.

5. We have a right to a collective identity and power as active rank and file democracy advocates and Democrats, that is independent from official party structures, candidates and elected officials. Harris County Democratic Precinct Chair admonishments of Kim Ogg, Shawn Thierry and John Whitmire are just some examples of this autonomy and power. Elected officials are our elected employees.

We give a lot of free labor to candidates. It's exploitive in many respects. Politics is a multi-billion dollar industry. Many campaigns extract resources like a West Virginia strip mine. Candidates come and go like Christmas or Halloween pop up stores. Our need to live freely remains. 

At bottom line:

The next action is when you organize it. The 1st Amendment is your permit. The only credential needed is your presence. Voting won't be enough. The work ahead is ours.

My next speaking appearance is at the Kingwood Area Democrats meeting on 9/4. I'd be glad to speak at your club or organization meeting. Please e-mail me at [email protected] to set it up.  

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