What if they gave an election and nobody showed up?
State of Texas -- as part of its "screw with cities" agenda -- allowed some areas to vote yesterday to dis-annex from their city.
Some areas in #Austin voted to do so. River Place voted to dis-annex with one single vote. Not "by one vote", but one single person showed up and voted in this election.
Some areas didn't have anybody show up at all -- zero votes registered.
I got to visit University Baptist Church today, which has served as a police-free sanctuary to #UTAustin students involved in Student Spring. They can rest, get simple medical care, supplies and snacks and are even cooked dinner each night. I'm not religious but it's moving to see a church upholding the tradition of being a place of refuge for victims of state violence. #StudentSpring#Austin#Palestine
Today, May 4th, is Election Day for the Travis County property appraisal district. Austin folks, if you didn’t vote early, now’s the time. There are no political party names on the ballot, so bring notes.
From last week: “I think the presence of armed riot #police always increases the tension in these kinds of situations—and I think it’s the wrong move.”
On the #UTAustin campus, activists hold up names of students and educators killed in Gaza, along with facts about the damage war has done to education.
Protesters followed police off campus chanting and confronting them. Students chanting "fuck you fascists!" at the departing cops. #ftp#Palestine#Texas#UTAustin#Austin
Things have calmed down again at #UTAustin. A few dozen students have gathered on the South Lawn again and are talking and sharing snacks water Gatorade and solidarity. Probably dozens of arrests earlier? #Palestine#Texas#Austin
Word is there were at least 65 arrests today at the #UTAustin campus. Jail support called for tonight at the Travis County Jail. #Palestine#Texas#Austin