Texas Democrat Likens Herself to a ‘Political Prisoner’
In the latest escalation of Texas’ redistricting battle, Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier has chosen to remain inside the state Capitol until Wednesday morning rather than comply with Republican leadership’s demand for a police escort.
Collier, a Fort Worth lawmaker and former chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, refused to sign an agreement allowing law enforcement to escort her home after Monday’s House session. The escort plan, pushed by GOP leaders, is part of an effort to maintain a quorum after weeks of Democratic resistance to Republican redistricting proposals.
Calling the requirement a form of “surveillance protocol,” Collier likened the situation to being treated as a “political prisoner.” She said the escort condition is a way to “control my movements and monitor me with police escorts.”
The standoff began earlier this month when dozens of House Democrats fled the state—many to Illinois—in an effort to block passage of new congressional maps they argue would dilute minority voting power and entrench GOP dominance. Most have since returned, but tensions remain high.
On Monday, House Speaker Dustin Burrows reiterated that any lawmakers who had been served with civil arrest warrants for their absence must agree to the escort policy if they wish to leave the House chamber, with the understanding they’ll return for future sessions. Those who haven’t returned remain subject to those warrants.
Collier’s defiance has drawn strong reactions. “When I press that button to vote, I know these maps will harm my constituents,” she said. “I won’t just go along quietly with their intimidation or their discrimination.”
The Texas NAACP issued a statement Monday saying Collier is being held “involuntarily.” U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a former state legislator, compared the GOP’s tactics to practices reminiscent of Jim Crow-era restrictions, according to WFAA.
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