More than 350 rally against Abbott, Patrick agenda,
More than 350 people called together by a coalition of social advocacy groups and Democratic-leaning political organizations rallied on the south steps of the state Capitol on Tuesday, the first day of the special legislative session.
The group gathered in the dead heat of an Austin summer day to air their grievances against Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s special session agenda. One Texas Resistance, a coalition made up of more than 25 progressive and social justice advocacy groups, organized the event.
Some participants shared their personal stories and how certain agenda items would affect them.
”This (bathroom) bill is about them using us — tokenizing us — to get gain,” said Rev. Cameron Anderson, a speaker at the event who identifies herself as a transgender woman. “This bill does not only not protect me as a trans-identified, does not protect us as gender non-conforming people ... it gives permission for hate crime.”
The so-called bathroom bill is one of the hot-button items on the special session agenda that would restrict transgender people from using the public bathroom that matches their gender identity. A “school choice” program for special-needs children, property tax reform and three abortion measures — including a bill that would prohibit local governments from using taxpayer money to pay Planned Parenthood or any abortion provider, legislation that would ban insurance coverage for abortions in private and government plans, and a measure that strengthens abortion reporting requirements — were also concerning to many rally attendees.
Rep. Chris Turner, a Grand Prairie Democrat and chair of the House Democratic Caucus, also spoke to the crowd and encouraged them to speak to their legislators about their concerns.
”I just wanted to let you know that the Democrats in the House and the Democrats in the Senate stand side-by-side with you, and we will do everything we can to resist and fight back in the Texas House and the Texas Senate over these next four weeks,” Turner said.
The representative was joined by 10 other House Democrats.
After the rally, more than 100 people moved into the Capitol where they continued to protest.
Among them were Charles Burns and his family, who traveled from San Antonio to take part in the rally for the rights of his transgender teen, 19-year-old Caileen.
”All Texans should be treated as anyone else,” Burns said. “I hope this day brings awareness to the people who don’t vote, to come out, get involved and get their voices heard.”