MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR:
Reflections from A Rally - Ya Basta!

I am writing this epistle on the bus on the way back from the "Enough is Enough Anti-Redistricting Rally" in Austin - more than 5,000 determined Democrats from across the state enduring the searing Texas heat to proclaim loud and clear, "Texas 11, we stand solidly behind you; we are so proud of what you have done, and we demand that our voices to be heard: Gov. Perry, Tom Delay, Don't Mess Up Texas with your cockamamie redistricting scheme that obliterates political influence of millions of minorities in Texas and sets back people of color 40 years in the quest for fair and equal treatment, ignores traditional communities of interest, and nullifies the votes of millions of Texans, just because you don't like the results of an election you didn't win. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, don't change the rules that have made the Senate of the state of Texas work for more than 100 years. Ya Basta! Enough is enough!"

The best part of political rallies is usually the signs: that uniquely American form of literary art in which wit and passion unite to produce insight of exceptional caliber. This rally was no exception. Here are a few of my favorites:

"Education Now . . . Redistricting 2011"

"I'm a Democrat. Quick, Gov. Perry, Call Out The DPS!"

"Read My Lips - No New Districts"

"Got Quorum?"

"Fix Education, Not Elections"

"We Found The Weapons of Mass Destruction - They're Perry and DeLay"

Cleverness aside, there was no way anyone attending this rally could not have been moved by the drama of the day, the magnitude of the stakes, and the sacrifice these brave Democrats have made for this momentous cause. Everyone there fully understood the importance of this fight - nothing less important than the course and fate of the Nation for the next ten years is at stake here. So there was the Republican mayor of Killeen - previously a supporter of Gov. Perry - decrying the threat to democracy this power grab represents. And the rancher from east Texas pleading that the rights of rural Texans to a voice in congress not be wiped out just to give Tom DeLay some more political clot.

I will remember the families of the Texas 11, proudly hoisting pictures of their fathers and mothers and sons and daughters and praising their determination and commitment to principle. Indeed, for me, the most poignant image of the day was the three of Sen. Van de Putte's children, holding a yellow rose for their mother, describing how much they miss her, but proclaiming how deeply they cherish the example she has set for them by standing up for right and against tyranny and might.

They were all there - families of every one of the Texas 11, showing their support of their fathers and mothers and sons and daughters even in the face of such tremendous sacrifice, and insisting that this thing will be seen through to the victorious end - for the sake of our democracy, our state, and our nation.

And there was singer Joe Ealy, bringing the rally to a raucous conclusion bellowing the lyrics,"Going where there's no DeLay, Won't be treated this a way."

But, of course, the highlight of the day was the link between the Senators in Albuquerque and the crowd at the Capitol's steps in Austin. Each of the Texas 11 spoke (via cell phone) and every one reiterated his or her pledge to stick to this stand. They are determined to resist the power grab of the Republican elite who believe they can have their way, regardless of the will (and the vote) of the people, by sheer political might. These 11 folks (and certainly the 5,000 more who braved the oppressive heat and came from all over the state just to say, "Texas 11, thank you, we're with you") pledge to resist that unconscionable power grab with unwavering resolve.

A determined Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. spoke for all of the Texas 11 (they also each spoke for themselves) paraphrasing John Fitzgerald Kennedy and insisting we will "pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe," to prevent the DeLay redistricting fiat, because "it is better to die on our feet than to live on our knees."

There's another Kennedy quote I think also apropos here: "forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."

Nor those of your friends. They include the Hon. Rodney Ellis, John Whitmire, Mario Gallegos, Gonzalo Barrientos, Frank Madla, Eddie Lucio, Jr., Juan "Chuy" Hinajosa, Judith Zaffirini, Royce West, Eliot Shapleigh, and Leticia Van de Putte.

Ya Basta!

Gerry Birnberg
Chair, Harris County Democratic Party
August 9, 2003

Archive of Gerry Birnberg's Messages

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