Texas Democrats Rally Behind Rep. Collier in Floor Protest
UPDATE: A dramatic sit-in led by Rep. Nicole Collier on the Texas House floor intensified late Tuesday as fellow Democrats joined her in a stand against police involvement in the redistricting process. The protest, now entering its second night, comes after House Speaker Dustin Burrows mandated that lawmakers be accompanied by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers while in the Capitol.
Collier has been steadfast since noon on August 18, 2025, refusing to leave the House without her rights respected. “I’m so grateful for their support,” Collier stated. “They’re tired of this government overreach.” The situation escalated when Burrows announced that House members could not exit the chamber without signed permission slips and being escorted by police—a move Democrats decried as an abuse of power.
As the standoff continues, Collier livestreamed her experiences on social media, garnering significant public support and media attention. “It’s ridiculous the lengths that Republicans will go through just to get what they want and to punish us,” she told the Dallas Morning News.
Democratic colleagues have rallied around Collier, with Rep. Penny Morales Shaw stating, “She was right. I’m with Nicole because that was the right thing to do.” Many have publicly ripped up their permission slips in solidarity, denouncing what they call an illegal act of authority.
The protest is not just about Collier. It highlights broader concerns over the legitimacy of the redistricting process and the increasingly aggressive tactics used by state authorities. Collier filed a lawsuit in Travis County on Tuesday, asserting that her presence on the floor negates the need for a police escort.
“This was very unexpected,” said Rep. Gene Wu, who remained with Collier during the night. “We are not being held here because we need to get flood recovery to the people of Texas.” The situation has drawn national attention, with Collier’s earlier livestream post amassing over 1.5 million views.
Democrats have expressed their readiness to engage in legislative work on pressing issues such as education and flood relief, emphasizing that they were willing to collaborate if treated with respect. “We will not allow them to continue to keep silent in our communities,” declared Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez.
Supporters gathered outside the chamber, chanting “Free Nicole!” while protesters expressed their outrage against the perceived overreach by the state government. The Texas NAACP released a statement condemning the mandated police escort as “extreme” and reminiscent of “Texas’ Jim Crow Past.”
The House is expected to vote on the new congressional map on August 20, 2025. Until then, Collier and her supporters remain vigilant, determined to call attention to what they see as a violation of their rights as elected officials.
“This is not a criminal matter,” Wu noted. “This is a civil dispute between members of two political parties. It’s worth the sacrifice to call attention to over-the-top police tactics.”
As the standoff unfolds, all eyes are on the Texas House, where the battle over redistricting and democratic rights will continue to shape the political landscape in the Lone Star State.
