Recently in Houston Category

Houston Mayor Annise Parker has been pushing an anti-food sharing ordinance in Houston that would criminalize  many acts of kindness towards those most in need in our city. (Above--The type of sharing with others that may soon be illegal in Houston.)  Beyond that, Mayor Parker, in explaining her support for the anti-giving ordinance, has some strange views about the public's right to use public space.From the Houston Press---"Mayor Parker argued that City property is, indeed, private --...

Houston Mayor Annise Parker has been pushing an anti-food sharing ordinance in Houston that would criminalize  many acts of kindness towards those most in need in our city. (Above--The type of sharing with others that may soon be illegal in Houston.)  Beyond that, Mayor Parker, in explaining her support for the anti-giving ordinance, has some strange views about the public's right to use public space.From the Houston Press---"Mayor Parker argued that City property is, indeed, private --...

There will be a protest on Sunday, 3/25 at Houston City Hall to call for justice in the Trayvon Martin case.While Trayvon was shot and killed in Florida, his death is a matter of national concern.I will be attending this event at City Hall.We've got to stick together and show up for each other when times are difficult.We don't always do that in Houston and in the nation. The rights and freedoms of all people are...

There will be a rally against wage theft in Houston held on Tuesday March 20.Below you see the details of this event.Here is a Houston Chronicle story about wage theft. Here are details about wage theft on a national level.Here is the website of the anti-wage theft effort in the Houston area. Here is a video with a number of facts about this concern.  Cheap goods and services are often provided on the backs of people who...

There will be a March 12 rally at Planned Parenthood in Houston to protest the drastic and unwarranted cuts for the health care needs of so many Texans.And don't forget the Texas forced sonogram law which many see---correctly in my view---as a form of state-mandated rape.Below are details of the March 12 event. What I have posted is a Planned Parenthood press release that I received.The only regretful aspect of this press release is the failure of...

For the third time in recent months, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council are considering regulations directed at homeless people.From the Houston Chronicle---"Mayor Annise Parker is asking the council to adopt rules that would require organizations and people who feed the homeless to register with the city, take a food safety class, prepare the food in certified kitchens, serve only at three public parks, and leave those parks as clean as when they entered them...Councilwoman Helena Brown agreed...

To mark the one year anniversary of the release of the Chad Holley police beating video tape, the Black Justice Tuesday Coalition will be holding a protest from noon until 3 PM at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse located at 1201 Franklin Street in Downtown Houston.( Above--A scene from the Chad Holley tape.)Here are details of this protest from the Black Justice Tuesday Coalition---Black Justice Tuesday Coalition. National Black United Front and New Black Panther Party One Year Police...

Occupy Houston and Occupy Austin protestors are facing felony charges for taking part in civil disobedience earlier this month outside the Port of Houston. The felony charges had at first been dismissed by a judge, but have now be reinstated by a Harris County grand jury empanelled by the Harris County District Attorney's office.There is little doubt in my mind that these charges are about scaring off further acts of protest in our county. This is...

A few days ago I saw a blue FEMA tarp still on a roof here in Houston.These tarps were all over right after Hurricane Ike in 2008.I believe Galveston still has a number of homes with the tarps still in place. But I have not taken any pictures of those tarps.While you can't see it very well in this picture, the word FEMA is visible at the top of the tarp.Here is the FEMA website. People...

Incumbent Houston Independent School District Board member Manuel Rodriguez circulated anti-gay campaign materials during his recent reelection bid.(Above--Citizens of our community calling for the resignation of Manuel Rodriguez.)Mr. Rodriguez won his race by 24 votes.A website has been established to call for Mr. Rodriguez's resignation from the board. There is also a Facebook page called Remove The HISD Bully.How can Mr. Rodriguez well-serve any HISD student? The rights and dignity of all people are connected.If Mr. Rodriguez...