We’re taking to the Capitol on 9/20 to say: “Respect the constitution or expect prosecution.”
Speakers will include Texas lawyer and politician Wendy Davis, Texas Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Austin Justice Coalition Executive Director Chas Moore, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) organizer Cameron Samuels, trans activist Anna Nguyen, Texas Attorney and politician Pooja Sethi, youth organizer Vienna Esson, and HOCTX President Sophia Mirto
We will have a lady liberty costume contest during the event... MC'd by beloved local drag queen Maxine LaQueene!
Join us on Saturday, September 20 to say #HandsOffOurConstitution
With our constitutional rights being violated on the daily, Constitution Day is more important than ever.
Our message to the White House, Congress, law enforcement, and all levels of government: Respect the Constitution or Expect Prosecution!
WHEN: Saturday, September 20 from 10 am to noon
WHERE: TX Capitol South Steps
WEAR your best lady liberty costume!
SIGN our giant constitution!
Language + Accessibility Requests due by 8/15: Fill out the form HERE
Por favor, envíe su solicitud al menos siete días antes del evento para que podamos atenderle de la mejor manera. Complete este formulario
Please consider the heat! Bring a hat, sunscreen, umbrella, fan. etc. Emergency water will be available on-site but please bring your own.
We are a 100% nonviolent movement aiming to create an environment to empower the passionate resistance of Texans. We do not conflate the 1st amendment right of free speech with violence, and we do not endorse interpersonal or state violence.
We have a team of volunteer protest monitors, legal observers, and street medics coming to this event. If you would like to volunteer for any of these teams, please use this form to contact us!
Please consider the heat! Bring a hat, sunscreen, umbrella, fan. etc. Emergency water will be available on-site but please bring your own.
CAPITOL RULES:
No sticks over 12 inches (including flag poles). Stilts are OK. No fire. Poi light spinning is fine! Flags are encouraged! Feel free to bring camp chairs, blankets, snacks and water. Alcohol is not permitted.
Soliciting donations and selling products is not allowed on Capitol grounds. We respect the DPS rules so we can continue to have impactful mass mobilization efforts on OUR Capitol grounds! If you would like to fund the resistance, please consider donating to the cost of this massive event. Every dollar counts!
IMMIGRATION: Everyone is welcome at all of our events, but we want you to be aware of heightened immigration risk on federal property including TX Capitol grounds. This officially permitted event is on Capitol grounds, which is policed by DPS. It is DPS policy to work with ICE. It is not APD policy to coordinate with ICE, but they also do not interfere in ICE arrests.
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING: We are expecting a large turnout. Please carpool! CAPMETRO lines 1, 10, 103, 20, and 3 drop off near the Capitol: plan your trip. Parking at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (free for the first 2 hours) may fill quickly. You can also park on Red River or in the neighborhoods west of the TX Capitol using the Park ATX app with discount codes: FREE15ATX1, FREE15ATX2
BATHROOMS: TX Capitol bathrooms are ADA accessible, but do require you to pass through a DPS security checkpoint to enter the building.
Media disclaimer: There will be media and photos/videos of this event taken and shared on the internet by participants and journalists. Feel free to wear a mask for wellness or privacy reasons, and feel free to take your own photos and videos! Tag us: @handsoffcentraltx #handsofftx
Nonviolent Protest Disclaimer: HOCTX and official coalition partners are committed to nonviolent civic resistance. We are utilizing our First Amendment constitutional right to protest and our right to lobby our representative government.
By attending our events, you are implicitly agreeing that while you attend our event, you will respect the laws and constitution of the United States and State of Texas and not create or contribute to a safety issue for our attendees and neighbors. We protect our community and defend democracy - we do not put people at risk or threaten violence.
Veteran? Freedom’s Shield is the veterans arm of HOCTX. Plug in on-site to defend democracy, the constitution, and our first amendment rights. Email your interest and questions to veterans@handsoffcentraltx.org
If your organization would like to partner with us to defend democracy, please email president@handsoffcentraltx.org
For journalist or influencer media inquiries please email president@handsoffcentraltx.org