Racist, Xenophobic Republican-Backed Bill Receives Backlash in Harris County
Senate Bill 147, a Republican-backed bill that would bar individuals from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran from purchasing property in Texas has received backlash from elected officials and community leaders in Harris County.
HCDP Chair, Odus Evbagharu commented on the bill, saying, "SB 147 does not protect Texas land. This piece of legislation targets lawful immigrants with visas and green cards by not allowing them the same economic opportunity that many other people who have immigrated to this country have been afforded."
A protest, organized by Representative Gene Wu, took place on Monday to oppose the bill. He was joined by a group of outraged speakers and community members who felt personally targeted by the legislation.
"This type of legislation is what we're facing all over again.” Said Wu, “That we're unable to separate the people who fled countries from those countries themselves, and we cannot stand for this…"
Texas Republicans argue that SB 147 is aimed at protecting Texas from large land buys by the government bodies and large corporations from the nations mentioned in the legislation, but critics note, “that [the bill] goes after individuals with no ties to a foreign government..."
Read more
See the HCDP press release on SB 147
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Apply for HCDP’s Leadership Academy: March 27 - May 5
Are you an activist, or interested in becoming one, and want to start learning about community organizing and making progressive change?
Apply to the Leadership Academy with HCDP! The Leadership Academy is a six-week course for folks to learn the ins and outs of being a community organizer and doing work in a campaign space. Members will cover organizing block-walks, creating effective communications and a number of other topics as they hone their activism skills with a group of like-minded individuals.
Learn more and apply for the Leadership Academy here.
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Join Us for an HCDP Fundraiser on Feb. 7
There’s still time to get tickets or become a member of the host committee for HCDP’s February fundraiser!
It will take place on Tuesday, February 7 at City Orchard Cider Bar from 5:30 - 7 PM and we will be joined by some very special guests.
Get your tickets or become a member of the host committee here.
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Jan. 28 Block Walk Leader Training with HCDP and Swing TX Left
Get ready to organize!
HCDP and Swing TX Left are teaming up to host a block walk leader training on Saturday, January 28 from 2 - 5 PM at HCDP HQ on 4619 Lyons Avenue in Fifth Ward. The goal of this training is to get folks on the road to launching their own blockwalks by this time next year.
RSVP here.
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Make Change in the Community by Volunteering with HCDP
Texas Republicans at the Capital have promised this to be the most conservative session that Texas has seen. Volunteer with HCDP to help elect representatives who really represent Harris County!
You can always learn about all of HCDP’s volunteer opportunities, as well as meeting information for Harris County’s Democratic Clubs and Organizations here.
Also…
If you are already an activist in the community and looking for ways to make an even larger impact, consider applying to become a Democratic precinct chair. Precinct chairs organize their precinct and help activate their friends and neighbors to make real changes within the community. They are the backbone of the party and becoming a precinct chair is a great way to get even more involved with HCDP.
Look over the requirements and apply to become a precinct chair here.
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Precinct Chair Corner
Attention precinct chairs!
All active precinct chairs and captains should have an active VAN account. If you do NOT have a van account, please fill out the form at this link.
If you need VAN Help – Email us at VAN@harrisdemocrats.com
Also…
The last day to order your precinct chair badge is Friday, February 3. You can order your badge here.
Vote By Mail – Don’t forget that all seniors need to apply again to vote by mail. Also remind them to check the box for annual services so they can vote in ALL elections throughout the year.
Find More information on mail ballots in Harris County here.
This is going to be an exciting year for progress. Thank you for being a precinct chairs!
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Help Support HCDP Through Our Membership Program
Work by the Harris County Democratic Party is supported through our membership program.
Friend of HCDP - $10 a month
Ally of HCDP - $15 a month
Activist of HCDP - $30 a month
Advocate of HCDP - $60 a month
Champion of HCDP - $125 a month
Sustaining members who donate a regular monthly or annual amount allow us to underwrite our day-to-day operations. This is how we pay our staff. This is how we support Democratic candidates. This is how we fund our voter outreach.
This is how we help elect more Democrats to office.
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January 25 VDVR Training was a Success!
Thank you so much to everyone who attended the January 25 Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar (VDVR) training at HCDP HQ on Lyons Avenue!
VDVRs help make democracy possible by finding and registering voters in the community. We are so proud of these folks who took the time to learn these incredibly important skills and we can’t wait to see them out on the field increasing voter turnout and helping keep Harris County decidedly blue!
Those interested can learn more about becoming a VDVR in Harris County here.
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Progress never stops,
Team HCDP