1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

We Must Stand with Texas Democrats Against Authoritarian Tactics I urgently call on you to stand in solidarity with Texas Democrats who are being subjected to unconstitutional and coercive tactics by Texas Republicans. Reports confirm that Representative Nicole Collier and others are being illegally restricted in the Texas House — forced to sign “permission slips” to leave the chamber and threatened with police escorts as if they were on parole. This is not only a violation of their constitutional rights but also a dangerous escalation of authoritarian control within a legislative body. The Texas House has no legal authority to hold duly elected lawmakers hostage or block them from exercising their duties and freedoms. Holding an elected representative against her will is not governance — it is coercion. It is a direct attack on democracy, and it should alarm every American, regardless of party affiliation. I urge you to: 1. Publicly condemn these actions and affirm that elected officials cannot be treated like prisoners in a democracy. 2. Work with other state and federal leaders to pressure Texas Republicans to end these unconstitutional practices immediately. 3. Signal solidarity with Rep. Nicole Collier and others by amplifying this issue and refusing to allow authoritarian tactics in any state legislature to go unchecked. We cannot allow partisan power grabs in one state to set a precedent for the rest of the country. If legislators in Texas can be unlawfully detained, harassed, and silenced, then democracy everywhere is at risk. Please act now to show that we stand on the side of freedom, fairness, and democracy.