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Tag: San Marcos

Deceleration: How Pro-Palestine Organizers Transformed San Marcos, Texas

Posted in Activism, Deceleration, and Journalism

As they raise awareness of an ongoing genocide, activists for Palestinian liberation in San Marcos are transforming local politics in their Central Texas community. 

Last week, their city council became the first in Texas to vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In a state where even a hint of public support for Palestine brought threats from the governor to defund vital services, getting the resolution to a vote required years of coordinated organizing from a diverse, deeply engaged community who remain passionately opposed to the unfolding horrors of the Israeli occupation. 

After hearing public comments from over 100 local residents in a meeting that stretched until late at night, the council members ultimately voted 5-2 against the measure. Despite this setback, the extreme dedication of the “San Martians” who wrote the resolution — and forced the city to hear hours of public testimony in support of human rights — may offer valuable lessons to other communities about what can be accomplished even in the face of intense opposition from a powerful Republican-led state political establishment.

Deceleration: Governor Abbott Threatens To Defund Police in San Marcos Over Gaza

Posted in Activism, Deceleration, and Journalism

Greg Abbott could defund the police in San Marcos—at least partially—if the Texas governor carries through with his threats over a proposed city council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

On Tuesday, May 6, the city council in this city of about 67,000 people will vote on a resolution which condemns “the humanitarian catastrophe and genocide in Palestine.” However, Abbott and others in the state Republican party establishment have threatened to pull millions in funding from the city if the resolution passes, including about $500,000 in state funds which go towards the police and public safety measures like opioid abuse mitigation. 

That’s according to a spreadsheet shared among city council members in the lead up to the vote on the resolution, which was provided to Deceleration by the group Palestine Solidarity SMTX. Over $18 million in federal funding which the state passes on to San Marcos could also be at risk, including over $2 million in grants from the Women, Infants and Children program, which ensures vulnerable residents have access to nutritious food.