Protesters rally against redrawing congressional lines in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)

Thousands gathered Saturday to rally against a Republican push to redraw state congressional lines and in favor of the Democratic state senators who fled to New Mexico to scuttle the effort.

"The people of Texas said 'no' once (Republicans) started drawing the maps," said protester Ginger McGilvray. "They said 'no' with a strong voice and they didn't listen," "So here we are, standing out here ... to show that we mean it." --

"They are fighting for a Texas that I want to be a part of -- a Texas that recognizes voting rights, minority rights and above all democracy," said Nicole Van de Putte, daughter of Leticia Van de Putte, the Senate Democratic Caucus chairwoman and one of the senators who left the state.

Rep. Jim Dunnam, one of the Democrats who fled to Oklahoma, offered his support to the senators.

"It's hot ... But, I tell you what, it is August and it is noon and we're going to tell Governor Gridlock and the (U.S. House Majority Leader Tom) DeLay that we can take the heat if it takes all summer, all fall and the rest of the winter," Dunnam said. ---

Ride Don’t Drive It’s Global Cool

And I hope the Democrats stay away until the GOP bullies stop their attempt to take over. Those Dems are welcome here in Arkansas anytime!

AND they have a governor's race scheduled in OCtober of this year! If you were not paying attention you'd think Saddam's Baath Party had taken over the US and put into power only people that support him. I am getting sick the more I learn about it....

Braving the TX heat (or is it flooding of biblical proportions this week?) to save their state from the goddamned bug man! Hope you guys catch a nice good solid celebratory buzz when the day's work is done. :toast:



:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

edited to be slightly different than before.

lightning, but today was hot (about 100) and humid. I stood near one young woman fannning herself and another with a parasol so had some protection. I was a youngster who started her life in east Texas without AC so I can take the heat. I sure hope that repukes can't take the heat of our passion against redistricting.

I'm proud to be a Texas Democrat. Always have been, for that matter.

I don't read CNN so I wouldn't have seen it.

I went to the rally. We were wondering if we would be called "dozens" or "scores" of people protesting redistricting, and it says 2000-4000. Amazing.

cloud nine. Listening to my opera tape and needing to go to bed but too stimulated by our very wonderful, the people are STILL important protest to rest.

Who's gonna post the pictures??

TXlib, GOPisEvil, and Darth_Velma were there.

Yeah - who's got the pics?

has returned from his rally adventure, and posted a Lounge thread on the topic.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=82476

Pics are promised, but not yet available.

Another big :kick: for the folks who spent yesterday in the 100+ degree trenches!

I may not be able to give much, but I'd like to send something to help these patriots.

I put them in the same category as those who spent that terrible winter at Valley Forge so many years ago!

these DEM's are!!! Unlike the false one OCCUPYING the Governors mansion!

Fight the Republican takeover effort. Yes, it's true that the Democrats have a 17-15 edge in the Texas congressional delegation. But hear me out: First of all, the lines were already redrawn 3 years ago. No need to redraw them again until the next decade. Secondly, the Texas delegation is very conservative as a whole, both Democrats and Republicans. Let me give some examples: Ralph Hall and Chuck Stenholm might as well be Republicans. Jim Turner is kind of conservative, and there really are no flaming liberals in the delegation. However, there are plenty of flaming conservatives. Tom DeLay is the first one that comes to mind. The Republicans are already getting a good deal with what we have right now.

Never give up!

Grow in numbers and make it work!!!

:bounce:

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=155064 >
I also went to the rally and here is my report.
It was 99 degrees Saturday in Austin. But the rally was hot in more than temperature!! Singer Ruben Ramos played before the speakers. The families of the Texas Eleven all spoke and did a great job. It was fantastic hearing the actual Texas Eleven speak from New Mexico. They were really fired up. One speaker used the old Emiliao Zapata quote:
It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees. Killer D Dwana Dukes was the emcee for a great deal of the time.
A few Independents from areas that vote Repuke but vote for a Tx. Dem for U.S. Congress spoke as did some from rural Texas Jim Dunnam spoke, Killer D- Waco. One speaker said speaking of heat, if the Republicans can't take the heat, they better get out of the kitchen!!
A few freepers were there with pitifully poor home made signs. They have no creativity. Guess their militia units were away, and they had nothing else to do. The one sign I saw from them said "Why does the Communist Party have a link to MoveOn.org on their website?" Hardly anyone there know what they meant but I did.
G.I. Forum leader Ram Chavez spoke about Dr. Hector P. Garcia, civil rights leader from South Texas who died a few years ago, and how he would have been involved in this fight as a fight for civil rights. Many GI Forum members were at the rally. Many labor unions were there as well.
The wonderful ending was singer Joe Ely playing his guitar and harmonica into the mike in the scorching heat surrounded by clapping and singing Dems as he sang three songs. He quoted Woodie Guthrie and we sang "This land is my land." I loved the song he opened with but don't know the name. It was something like not going down this road no more. I would like to buy it on a CD. He was supposed to be on David Letterman or Jay Leno (I have forgotten which) but was bumped off the plane and so was in Austin to perform. He seemed to really enjoy the enthusiatic crowd which was very excited and touched by his spirited performance.
It was a great rally with people there from places like Galveston, Beaumont, as well as Dallas and Houston and San Antonio and Corpus Christi and Austin. People of all ages, sexes, ethnic backgrounds, and geographic areas were represented. The one speaker summed it up:
We are starting today to work to take back not only Texas but to take back our country.
I was proud to be a Democrat particularly on this day!!
I really wish this had been videotaped so it could be been on CSPAN. It would be great to hear it all again!