Thread by @TexasHDC

HAPPENING NOW: Voting Rights Rally led by @BlackVotersMtr and partner organizations. Live thread below. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“We want to send a message loud and clear. We are coming. We are calling this the “Suppression Session”. - Co-founder of @BlackVotersMtr @MsLaToshaBrown #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“If racial equity is a problem for the state of Texas we need to stand together.” #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“The fight against everyone is united.” Heard at the rally, organizers and activists celebrate the collaborative work of our grassroots organizations against suppression and discrimination. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

Chairman @ChrisGTurner says “Texas Democrats are committed to doing wverything in our power to prevent Gov. Abbott and Republicans from passing voter discrimination laws. Period.” #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

Chairman @ChrisGTurner highlights the negligence of Gov. Abbott from properly supporting Texans through the COVID-19 pandemic, funding our schools, and “keeping the lights on” in our state. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“We are not afraid. We know the eyes of the nation are on Texas.” The difference of when President LBJ signed the Voting Rights Act to the voter suppression efforts being pushed by Gov. Abbott are highlight by Rep. @TMFtx . #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“We do this for passion, not for a paycheck.” Rep. @TMFtx calls for our Congress to pass national legislation to protect our votes. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

Chair @NicoleCollier95 speaks to the unwavering resilience and determination of Texas House Democrats. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“It’s a solution without a problem.” -Vice Chair @RepToniRoseTX
#txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“We are national leaders in the fight for voter rights” against national efforts to suppress and discriminate our changing demographics. - Rep. @GinaForAustin
#BlackVotersMatter #txlege

“I know you are tired, but we are in the midst of history.” Rep. @GinaForAustin reflects on VP @KamalaHarris call for Texas Democrats to keep the fight going. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“Texas has more Black constituents than any other state.” Freshman Rep. @jasminefor100 calls for the expansion of access to the ballot for our communities, these are the “extraordinary” issues we need to focus on. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“It is our responsibility to not let them take us back.” Gov. Abbott and others know these laws will disproportionately affect our marginalized communities. - Rep. @ronereynolds
#txlege #BlackVotersMatter

Activists from @unitehere speak on the difficult impact these laws will have on our hardworking Texas workers who have supported our state through global emergencies.

“Estamos aquí por el futuro de nuestros hijos.”

“We are here for the future of our children.”

#txlege

Darcy with @texasdemocrats tells us that “[Democrats] will be here” every day for the next 16 months as we work to get leaders who prioritize health reforms, developing better infrastructure, and lifting up Texans. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“What did we learn.” Powerful remarks as activists highlight the sacrifice of Texans during global emergencies and the low regard our Governor places on properly supporting our constituents. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

Ana Gonzalez with @WDActionFund says that Gov. Abbott has only worked to “score political points at the expense of our neighbors.”

“These are tactics of tyranny.”

#txlege #BlackVotersMatter

Tyler Sheldon with the Texas State Employees Union says “state employee have been used as a pawn” as Gov. Abbott defunds hardworking Texans who support our state.

#txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“You ain’t gotta lie, Greg.” Activists, organizers, and Texans see what is happening. They are watching and they are “not going down without a fight.” #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

Charlie Bonner with @MOVE_texas brings a call to action to Texans to show up on Saturday and throughout this “Suppression Session” to ensure they hear us loud and clear. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“These bills are designed with surgical precision to deny the right to vote for young Black and brown voters.” Raye with @texrising speaks on the mobilization and accountability measures local organization will continue to sustain on our lawmakers. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“Until you do right by us, you have to deal with us.” #txlege #BlackVotersMatter

“Our freedom is not negotiable.” @MsLaToshaBrown, Co-founder of @BlackVotersMtr, calls on the support of folks across the state and country to rise against these suppression efforts. We call on our leaders in D.C. to pass federal legislation. #txlege #BlackVotersMatter