Stuff to Do: August 7 - 13

Margolis & Cox - https://margolisandcox.com/2021/09/30/gerrymandering/

One thing that is readily apparent is that there is always something to engage in. I know a lot of people are frightened and anxious about how life is unfolding under the regime. There is uncertainty about everything from civil liberties to grocery prices and access to healthcare.

We’ve seen the social safety net decimated in the past few months and cruelty of unmentionable, though it needs to be mentioned repeatedly, dimension, visited upon immigrant populations both naturalized, second generation (and therefore, birthright citizens), and yes, undocumented, but the disappearances, the kidnappings and the erasure of due process along with a weaponized Department of Justice has only ramped up unrest.

I’ve got words on this blog about a lot of this and will continue to writing. I may be sunsetting the blog, but I’m considering other platforms. I’ll certainly keep Dimensionally going but likely for more posts like this, digests of local and regional news and actions, and where people can get involved. Analysis and deeper dives into issues and policies may need to go somewhere else.

In the meantime, I’ve sat on this and let my in-box swell with mostly petitions and those are what I want to look at this week.

To sign a potion or write a letter doesn’t sound like very much, but it’s not the individual drop in ocean, it’s all the drops that count that make the. ocean.

Petitions indicate, at the very least, that a lot of people are concerned about this or that issue and how they feel about it and that they’re willing to put their signature to it. They are also indicators of how people might be more likely to get more deeply involved in an issue or cause. At the very least, they are genuine responses to issues that matter and I don’t believe in disregarding them or ignoring them.

Yes, it’s likely you will have your email shared with other groups but there are often opt—out check-boxes (and you can always unsubscribe later if you find yourself on a distribution list; it’s not that hard or time-consuming).

Given the recent gerrymandering assault by the Texas legislature, the focus is going to be more local and state-centered. The implications for the rest of the country are clear and Abbott is one of Trump’s not-so-secret weapons. Feel free to join in and sign a petition or three!

Rallies, protests, marches

Protest at John Cornyn’s Houston Office 

Tuesdays

11:30am – 1pm CDT

5300 Memorial Dr

Houston, TX 77007

Join other Houstonians in protesting outside John Cornyn’s Houston office (on Memorial Drive) to raise awareness of your objection to recent government actions.

Signs available or make your own.

Do not park in 5300 Memorial garage

The Cornyn Houston Office Protest has been on Houston streets each Tuesday for over 8 years. Fully independent, the Cornyn Protest has been sustained by a dedicated core of Houstonians. The protest sets the example of people showing up for themselves no matter what.

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/817819/

Bayou Blue Dems - August Meeting: Lesley Briones

Wednesday, August 13

6:15 – 7:45pm CDT

Pecore Hall, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 

1800 Sul Ross (Parking is off Woodhead St. Behind the Church)

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/752587/

Houston Food Not Bombs

Mondays, Wednesays, Fridays, & Sundays

7pm CDT

550 McKinney St

Houston, TX 77002

In our economy, the poorest and most vulnerable are the most victimized by housing insecurity, toxic pollution, taxation, incarceration, food and flood insecurity. The powerful interests that write our laws and control their enforcement aren’t capable of overseeing a just recovery effort; oversight should be in the hands of the communities most affected. Food Not Bombs calls for a people-over-profit response and a caring, sustainable future for all Houstonians. We reject any attempts to use this climate-change and over-development fueled disaster to push through anti-homeless policies.

Hungry? Want to Help? Come to 550 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002 Mon., Wed., Fri, & Sun. at 7pm and help out.  Bring vegan food or just bring yourself! We have bowls & spoons.

https://houstonfoodnotbombs.org

Speak out at City Hall Every Tuesday (Houston)

Any citizen may speak before Council on a Tuesday, beginning at 2:00 p.m. To reserve time to appear before Council, call (832.393.1100), email (speakers@houstontx.gov) or come to the Office of the City Secretary, City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby, Room P101, Public Level by 3:00 p.m. the Monday prior to the scheduled public session shown on the agenda. Each speaker shall provide his or her name, street address, mailing address (if different), telephone number and a brief description of (not to exceed ten words) of the intended subject matter.

https://www.houstontx.gov/council/meetingsinfo.html

Women’s March Community Skill-Share

Aug 16, 2025

1:00 pm — 5:30 pm CDT

Community Skill-share and Swap Meet with 50501-Houston

Houston, TX, 77064

Join 50501-Houston in community, learning and sharing skills including needlework, cooking, crafting, CPR and other valuable skills. Feel free to bring goods you don't need in exchange for goods that you do.

Whether you want to get to know our volunteer organizers, learn about our community activism work, volunteer your help, exchange goods, or just hang out, you are welcome to attend!

If you are interested in sharing a helpful skill with attendees, please email the event organizer.

Full address will be provided upon RSVP

RSVP now

Petitions, Letter writing, phone banks

Harris County Phone Bank (Central Houston)

Thursdays

5 – 8pm CDT

Blue Texas HQ

4119 Montrose Blvd UNIT 400

Houston, TX 77006

We’re calling voters across Texas every Thursday evening to identify Democrats and make sure we have the most up-to-date contact info. With so much on the line in 2026, we need to start now. These calls are how we stay connected and build the base it’ll take to win.

Whether you’re a first-time or seasoned volunteer, this is your chance to make a real impact! We’ll provide all the training and support you need.

RSVP today, share this invitation with a friend, and help us flip Texas– one call at a time!

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/820394/

Phonebank with us! ☎️ - Jolanda Jones for Congress

Fridays

6:30 – 7:30pm CDT

Virtual event

Join from anywhere

Hosted in Houston, TX 77004

We’re coming together to call voters in CD-18 and share why Jolanda Jones is the champion we need — someone who stands strong for women’s rights, voting rights, great public schools, safe neighborhoods, and affordable health care for all.

These calls aren’t just about votes — they’re about connecting with our community, standing up for each other, and making sure no one gets left behind. Every call helps protect the freedoms we care about, like reproductive rights, Social Security, and Medicaid.

So come hang with us! Bring your passion, your voice, and maybe a friend or two — we’ve got each other’s backs, and together, we’ll make sure our voices are heard across CD-18.

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/813201/

The Women's Institute of Houston: Congratulations to New Citizens

Thursday, August 14

2 – 3pm CDT

2202 Avalon Pl

Houston, TX 77019

Join us at the The Women's Institute of Houston to write thank-you cards to new citizens—congratulating them on their journey, reminding them about upcoming elections, and sharing key information on how to stay engaged in their community. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers, share stories, and build meaningful relationships with new voters. Let’s come together to celebrate democracy and inspire civic participation!

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/784470/

Moms Rising (again! They do great stuff!)

Don’t Let Them Erase Our Children’s Futures: Submit a Letter to the Editor Today

Tell your community and your lawmakers: We will not stand silently while our public schools and essential health programs are attacked.

Cuts to Medicaid and public education are hurting our kids, our schools, our economy, and our future. Cutting healthcare access, privatizing schools, implementing civil rights rollbacks and censorship are all pushing us backwards—and we won’t stay silent.

Right now, the Trump administration and its allies are:

• Slashing Medicaid funding, hurting our nation’s healthcare system, including rolling back school-based services like nursing, mental health counseling, and therapies.
  
• Pouring public money into private voucher schemes while draining much-needed funds from neighborhood schools.
  
• Promoting book bans and curriculum restrictions that erase accurate history, including LGBTQ+, Black, Brown, and immigrant voices.
  
• Gutting critically important civil rights protections for disabled and LGBTQ+ students.

It's critical that we speak out against these harmful attacks on our nation’s children, and a Letter to the Editor is one of the most effective ways to do that. 

Your local paper is read by community members and elected officials. Even a few sentences from you can help shift the public conversation and protect what matters most: Our kids’ futures.

Together, we are a powerful force for education, care, and equity.

Sign our Letter to the Editor!

https://action.momsrising.org/lte/BacktoSchool2025LTE/

Women’s March: WTF is happening in Texas?

Trump and his fascist cronies in Texas just escalated their war on democracy—and it’s terrifying.

They’re trying to ram through a new redistricting map to guarantee 5 new GOP-controlled House seats. It’s a blatant power grab, engineered intentionally to silence Black and Brown voters and rig the 2026 midterms.

Here’s the kicker:
Democratic lawmakers fled the state to block the vote—so now Governor Abbott is trying to have them thrown out of office and arrested.

You read that right.

This isn’t just partisan drama. This is an authoritarian test run, with national consequences. If they succeed in Texas, MAGA will try it everywhere.

Tell Governor Abbott: The whole country is watching. Stop targeting lawmakers. Stop this assault on democracy.

Because when democracy’s on fire, we don’t sit quietly—we show the hell up.

WTF,
Women’s March

https://act.womensmarch.com/sign/AbbotAttackDemocracy/