The halls of the Texas State Capitol are no strangers to protests, but for organizers witnessing a resurgence of grassroots advocacy and activism, it’s a heartening sign after a series of discouraging years.
Thousands joined the 2013 “people’s filibuster” against HB 2, the omnibus anti-choice bill that eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, but then momentum faltered with the defeat ofWendy Davis (and other Democratic candidates) in the 2014 election, followed by more setbacks in the intervening years of elections and Republican-led legislative sessions.
After the 2017 legislative session, Texas Republicans ensured that crucial funding bills remained unpassed, forcing lawmakers to return for a special session that costs taxpayers thousands of dollars per day. The Republicans hope to use this opportunity to build on new restrictions on abortion and a “Show Us Your Papers” anti-immigrants’ rights law, both subject to ongoing lawsuits, while forcing through unpopular and discriminatory legislation that failed to pass during the regular term.
In addition to new attacks on reproductive health care, bills under consideration in the special session include a refurbished version of North Carolina’s infamous anti-transgender bathroom bill, attacks on the ability of unions to collect dues from public workers, and even new restrictions on cities’ ability to protect historic trees from destruction.
Though fueled by leaders in the reproductive rights and justice movements, the resistance to the special session is diverse, drawing together activists around issues that aren’t always seen as connected. Leading the way is One Texas Resistance, a coalition made up of about three dozen groups, including nonprofits like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, regional organizations like the Afiya Center and United We Dream Houston, and local representatives of people-powered movements like Indivisible.
Hundreds of supporters of the coalition gathered on July 18, the opening day of the session, despite sweltering temperatures, to send a powerful message of opposition. They’ve returned by the dozens on numerous days since to advocate for their rights.
‘Beyond Movement Silos’: How Texas Advocates Are Showing Up for Those in Legislature’s Crosshairs – Rewire
The halls of the Texas State Capitol are no strangers to protests, but for organizers witnessing a resurgence of grassroots advocacy and activism, it’s a heartening sign after a series of discouraging years. Thousands joined the 2013 ” people’s filibuster” against HB 2, the omnibus anti-choice bill that eventually made its way to the U.S.
