Inside This Issue:
- Call to Action: Help Fight Republican Efforts to Restrict Voting in Texas
- Houston Leaders Speak Out Against Restrictive Voter Bills in Texas Legislature
- Virtual Iftar Celebration Set for Today, April 23 at 5:00 PM CST
- Cast Your Vote for Lina Hidalgo as 2021 Emily’s List Rising Star
- Early Voting for the May 1 Election has Begun
- COVID Vaccine Update: No Appointments Necessary at NRG
- HCDP Chair Joins Annie’s List Executive Director for “So You Want to Run for Office” Event
- Join the Virtual Leadership Academy this Summer
- Spring Branch Community Event: School Uniform Drive
- Advocate for Juror Pay Increase, Says District Clerk Marilyn Burgess
- Help Support HCDP Through Our Membership Program
Call to Action: Help Fight Republican Efforts to Restrict Voting in Texas
Texas is one of the most difficult states to vote in. Our state legislators have long used their power to restrict the right to vote. It's 2021 and we’re still facing Republican-led voting restriction tactics like Senate Bill 7 and House Bill 6 that will reduce opportunities to vote, create long lines, and make it harder to vote by mail.
We believe that voters pick our leaders — our leaders do not get to pick their voters. We need your help in spreading the word and putting pressure on our Texas Representatives to oppose SB7 and HB6!
Sign up and bring a friend to our weekly phone banks!
Houston Leaders Speak Out Against Restrictive Voter Bills in Texas Legislature
At a Texas Rising Action rally on Wednesday, Houston leaders — including Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Democratic Party Executive Director Delilah Agho-Otoghile — joined activists and everyday Texans to speak out against voter bills being pushed by Republicans in the Texas Legislature, emphasizing that voting should not be an obstacle to democracy.
The “Voting Shouldn’t Be An Obstacle to Democracy” Press Conference/Rally took place at Axelrad on April 21, 2021 outside of an obstacle course designed to depict the hurdles the GOP hopes to put up to in order to discourage voting. The event emphasized opposition to the voter suppressing bills in the Texas Legislature.
Virtual Iftar Celebration Set for Today, April 23 at 5:00 PM CST
It’s Friday, April 23, and tonight’s the night for our 2nd Annual Virtual Iftar! Join us at 5:00 PM for the virtual panel part of the celebration. The discussion will be moderated by Hena Rafiq, board member of the They See Blue - Texas Chapter, and will include:
- Representative Harold Dutton, Texas House District 142
- Judge Gloria E. López, Judge of the 308th Family Court
- Judge Rabeea Collier, Judge of the 113th Civil District Court
- Judge Brittanye Morris, Judge of the 333rd District Court
- Council Member Letitia Plummer, Member of the Houston City Council At-large Position 4
- Dr. Mehnaz A Shafi, Division of Internal Medicine at MD Anderson
- Nabila Mansoor, Executive Director, Emgage Texas & Treasurer, Asian American Democrats of Texas
We can't thank our sponsors and partners enough for helping make this event possible! Mezban Restaurant is providing 400 Iftar meals, Representative Harold V. Dutton Jr. has provided groceries and Commissioner Rodney Ellis has provided masks and sanitizing wipes to distribute to community members.
Cast Your Vote for Lina Hidalgo as 2021 Emily’s List Rising Star
Our Harris County Judge, Lina Hidalgo was nominated by EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, for their Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award. Judge Hidalgo is the first Texan nominated for this prestigious award that spotlights phenomenal women with bright political futures. We know the political and grassroots power of women like Judge Hidalgo, and it’s time the nation knows it too. Winning this award will help put Judge Hidalgo in a stronger position for a tough re-election fight next year.
But in order to win, she needs your vote. Take a few seconds today to cast your vote and get at least three of your friends and family members to do the same. Let’s help Judge Hidalgo win!
Early Voting for the May 1 Election has Begun
Early voting for the May election began Monday and runs through April 27, 2021. Harris County voters should check to see what’s on the ballot and find out if they are eligible to vote in this election. Smaller elections can have a big impact on everyday life.
Make sure your voice is heard.
COVID Vaccine Update: No Appointments Necessary at NRG
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo this week announced that people can now get their COVID vaccination at NRG without first booking an appointment.
Judge Hidalgo said the site will now be open from noon to 9 p.m. to provide more flexibility for residents.
HCDP Chair Joins Annie’s List Executive Director for “So You Want to Run for Office” Event
Join Texas Democratic Women, Harris County Metro Area Chapter (TDWHarris) for their membership meeting April 26, 2021 at 6:30 PM CDT where Annie's List Executive Director Royce Brooks and Harris County Democratic Party Chair Lillie Schechter will speak about the importance of electing more progressive Democratic women and offer advice for women who want to run for office.
Join the Virtual Leadership Academy this Summer
The spring semester class of the 2021 Leadership Academy concluded earlier this month. Members of the Academy explain how Senate Bill 7 restricts voting opportunties for Texans if the bill is passed into law. Check out the video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch
The Harris County Democratic Party is looking for hardworking, passionate, future organizers to join our virtual Leadership Academy this Summer. We're continuing the fight against Republican voting restriction tactics to ensure every voice is heard. Applications for the 10-week virtual program are now being accepted until May 21, 2021.
Spring Branch Community Event: School Uniform Drive
This Saturday, April 24 from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM support Senate District 7, Communities in Schools and Spring Branch Democrats for a School Uniform Drive at Cambrian Coffee (9461 Hammerly Blvd Suite E, Houston, TX 77080).
No donation is too big or too small. Help supply clothes to underserved students in Spring Branch ISD. Scan the QR code to donate and write "Spring Oaks MS" in the comments.
Advocate for Juror Pay Increase, says District Clerk Marilyn Burgess
A world wide social justice movement and a committed Minnesota Attorney General fought for a satisfying verdict in the trial of George Floyd's murderer. However, it ultimately boiled down to the conscience of a representative and balanced U.S. jury. Criminal Justice reform can start from the roots of this system, right here in our county court system. Let's support our electeds in expanding balanced jury pools by reducing economic barriers. Help us continue with progress by reaching out to your county commissioner (https://www.harriscountytx.gov/County-Judge-and-Commissioners/Harris-County-Elected-Officials) and advocating for juror pay increase: $50 for the first day and $80 for any after, plus free parking at the county garage at 1401 Congress.
Read more on the efforts of our District Clerk Marilyn Burgess here.
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 win in 2022.
Together we can protect our freedom to vote!