John,
Yesterday, despite hearing testimony from nearly one hundred Texans, including myself, opposing Abbott’s racist and illegal redistricting scheme, the Texas Senate Committee on Redistricting voted 6-1 in favor of it.
Committee Chair Phil King was brazen in his disregard of the public, finding various excuses as to why he didn’t need to listen to us. He denied race was a factor in creating the new maps, despite repeated exhortations from both lawmakers and residents alike that the maps will effectively disenfranchise Black and Latino Texans, erasing their voting power.
King lived up to his name yesterday, dismissing the concerns of the people, and openly vowing to consolidate power for himself and his fellow Republicans.
It was clear that he and the rest think they’re going to be able to steal our votes and get away with it.
But I know we can prove them wrong.
Many House Democrats have left the state, upending their lives and under threat of arrest by bullying Republicans angry they’re not going to be able to steal our vote that easily. Their brave stand is an example to the rest of us that we need to give this fight everything we’ve got.
And even if Trump and Abbott ultimately get their way with these illegal maps, we will continue to be in this fight with you.
As Senator Borris Miles, the one no vote on the committee, put it, “They want you to be discouraged, they want you to be dismayed, they want to give you a reason to stay at home on election day, but don’t let them do it. This is my call to arms to you: your vote is your weapon.”
No matter what, Ground Game Texas will be here, working to empower Texas voters. Our work organizing local ballot initiatives for popular progressive policies has been proven time and again to increase voter registration and turnout, especially among young voters and voters of color. Redistricting won’t change the fact that our methods bring voters to the polls.
No one said this work would be easy. But the future of Texas depends on it.
As I said in my own testimony yesterday, “We will continue to organize, educate, and empower voters until we have a Texas that works for all Texans.”
In solidarity,
Amy Kamp
Communications Director
Ground Game Texas
Ground Game Texas is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Paid for by Ground Game Texas. Contributions to Ground Game Texas are not tax deductible.
PO Box 383 Manchaca, TX 78652-9998 | [email protected]
