Report From Houston 50501 Protest--We Must Show Up For Ourselves

Please CONTRIBUTe

​





​I attended the 50501 protest at Houston City Hall today. Above you see a picture from the protest. 

Here are some observations: 

* I'd estimate there were about 500 people. 

* There were no elected officials. This was on one hand frustrating, but on the other hand a useful reminder that we must show up for ourselves. There were no traditional or well-known advocacy groups. It was whoever showed up. That's fine by me. A strong definition of solidarity is whoever shows up. 

50501 seems--so far--organic and grassroots. There were no formal speakers. Anyone could speak for a brief time. There were a number of 50501 protests today across the country. 

We'll see how long this movement retains this openness & how it evolves as this situation worsens. 

* There were a lot of police. They were fine. Just always remember that at bottom line they are not your friend.

* The most out-front organizer was Kristina Pham. I'd not met her before. She did a strong job. She has stepped up as a good citizen to take up leadership at a difficult time. If she continues with this work, she should be paid by the national 50501 organizers. 

* There was decent press coverage. Here is the Houston Chronicle. I saw a photographer with the Houston Landing, but the story is not up as I wrote this. There were TV cameras. 

* There is a lot of trouble ahead and we are going to have to show up. Hopefully today at Houston City Hall was a step along the way to what will be needed for the fight. 

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.​​

Here is a fundraising pitch for the Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways.  Please help the effort. ​​​​​​

---

Please CONTRIBUTE