This event has been postponed because of redistricting madness!
Join us to say #CareNotCuts !
From rural towns to major cities, Families First actions will bring people together to collectively demand an end to policies that harm children, seniors, and our families.
We are coming together to say in unity: our families come first.
Join us at the South Steps of the TX Capitol on Saturday, July 26 from 10 am - noon!
Hear from Representatives Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett, who are fighting to protect families in Congress, plus a lineup of other strong speakers.
We will have direct action you can take, and look forward to meet you - and your family!
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 in the future, please use this form to contact us!
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 effort. Every dollar counts… and all donations are tax-deductible!
Please consider the heat! Bring a hat, sunscreen, umbrella, fan. etc. Emergency water will be available on-site but please bring your own.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: This is an officially permitted event on State Capitol grounds, under the law enforcement jurisdiction of Texas DPS. Outside of Capitol grounds is under the jurisdiction of APD. APD and DPS have a working relationship. ***Our event does not have an official permit to march and NO MARCH IS PLANNED. ***
IMMIGRATION: Everyone is welcome at all of our events, but we want everyone 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: CAPMETRO will be running extra buses for the hours surrounding our event. Lines 1, 10, 103, 20, and 3 drop off near the Capitol: plan your trip. We expect parking at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (free for the first 2 hours) to 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: Inside the Capitol, ADA bathrooms are available. You must pass through a DPS security checkpoint.
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 #familiesfirst #carenotcuts #resist
Languages Disclaimer: Language interpretation for languages other than English will not be guaranteed at this event.
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. We do everything in our power to protect the civil rights and physical safety of everyone at our events.
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