Down here in Texas, we usually get written off as a hopelessly red state not worth fighting for. Liberals are frequently told to just give up and leave the state as its a lost cause. I am not the first to write it and I wont be the last, but I want to share my story about the citizen's filibuster and the beginnings of a revolution in Texas as I saw them this week
You all know the facts, why SB5 was such a horribly dangerous bill, how Senator Wendy Davis courageously filibustered for many long hours and how we narrowly escaped it being signed into law. What you may or may not know is what we saw from here in Texas. The call went out last Thursday for testimony at the public hearing on the bill. Over 700 women (and some men) showed up to testify, waiting hours only to have committee chair tell them at one point the testimony was "repetitive" and eventually cut it off abruptly at nearly 4 a.m., before hastily passing the bill out of committee in a closed door meeting that no one knew about until shortly before it happened. Another call went out for people to come to Austin when it was announced there would be a vote on Sunday, over 1000 showed up. Vote was attempted on Monday, but our Democrats in the state Senate would not vote to waive the 24 hour posting rule, so no vote could happen until Tuesday. This is where most people are aware, Senator Davis' courageous and frankly impressive filibuster despite all efforts to stop her. These efforts, included such nastiness as raising a point of order strike against her for being assisted putting on a back brace since she was in pain for standing without being allowed to sit or even lean for so long, and 2 separate points of order for straying from the topic (for discussing OTHER restrictions on abortion rights that the Texas legislature has already passed which I still maintain is entirely relevant). You may or may not know that Lt. Governor specifically stated that a 3rd point of order would result in a vote as to whether or not to end the filibuster. That did not happen of course but it is what he said, and I watched it live on the stream from the senate chamber.
This is where it gets..interesting, amazing and epic. When Dewhurst ended her filibuster, her colleague Senator Kirk Watson immediately appealed. A Republican moved to table the appeal, this was held up for a bit by Watson's wrangling with repeated parliamentary inquiries but eventually went to a vote. Senator Leticia Van De Putte attempted to move to adjourn, but was ignored by the speaker and delivered the epic line for the ages about when a female Senator must raise her hand or voice to be heard over her male colleagues. She then persisted for several more minutes on parliamentary inquiries. Eventually she was silenced. But the gallery... the gallery was not and erupted in chants, boos, screams and clapping. A generally insane level of noise, lasting 15 minutes until they were forced from the gallery. But it was long enough and prevented the vote before midnight.
By now you will have seen the anger over Dewhurst's dishonest attempts to make it appear the bill was passed before midnight, but it wasn't. The occupation had begun, the capitol building was closed because it was at capacity, they were chanting hell no we won't go, something we only saw due to one Christopher Dido streaming from the Rotunda floor when media wouldn't cover the story and the senate stream had been cut off. Eventually the Senators were called to caucus, and by 3 a.m. word had come down that even Dewhurst had been forced to agree that the vote was after midnight and the bill was dead. Cecile Richards (daughter of the incomparable Ann Richards) announced this to the crowd to insane cheers, and led the singing of "The Eyes of Texas are Upon You"
Its not over-- Perry has already announced a 2nd special session beginning 7/1. But we aren't done either. Planning meetings are already popping up to set up for another descent on Austin, and this time we have more time to plan.
You know most of this I'm sure... but I needed to say it. I am proud of my state today. Our women and supportive men woke up, showed up and got loud. We said NO. And we will do it again.
Texas is not a lost cause.. the revolution has begun and, to quote the protesters from last night, The People United Will Never Be Defeated
Fri Jun 28, 2013 at 10:56 AM PT: UPDATE: The Bat Signal has gone up! Rally is going down in Austin on Monday. I will not be at that one as I cant be in Austin every day and due to work I cant stay the whole time. I will be holding off until the hearings/floor debate start up..
Will share more once I know more.
Fri Jun 28, 2013 at 3:02 PM PT: Another quick update- For anyone who wants to know how people outside the state can help- we have a petition going on the white house site to investigate the tampering with the record of the vote. Signing and sharing would be much appreciated http://wh.gov/...