“This morning, Texas State Representative Nicole Collier remains wrongfully imprisoned inside the Texas House Chambers after refusing to sign a so-called 'permission slip' authorizing 24/7 police surveillance. Her unjust confinement is a blatant violation of her basic rights and is a disturbing reflection of the disregard for democratic norms – in Texas and across the country. 

“The unprecedented surveillance mandate was imposed by the Republican House leadership as part of their efforts to force a vote on unlawful, overtly and openly partisan gerrymandering at the direction of President Trump. These ‘permission slips’ follow civil arrest warrants issued to Texas House Reps after they left the state, halting a special session on the proposed gerrymandered district lines that would allow Republicans to gain five Congressional seats, as requested by the President, even though this is contrary to the post-census redistricting process. 

“Let’s be clear. Rep. Collier is being wrongfully imprisoned and stripped of her rights. Her colleagues that signed the permission slip did so under duress. These are time old tactics to silence dissent.  As an elected legislator, I cannot imagine that I would need to sign a 'permission slip' from anyone, for anything. Nor should she. 

“No elected official, no immigrant, no American should ever be subjected to unlawful detainment or intimidation by the government meant to serve them. I stand in solidarity with Rep. Collier and I respect her integrity and dedication to the people of Texas and her commitment to justice and public service. Thank you to her colleagues who joined her on the floor last night as well. We must not look away.”