BREAKING: Fort Worth Representative Nicole Collier has launched a lawsuit against Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, claiming “illegal confinement” as she remains barricaded in the Texas House. This urgent protest is unfolding as Collier refuses to allow state troopers to monitor her movements after fleeing the state to break quorum during a GOP-led congressional redistricting push.
This dramatic standoff entered its second day on August 19, 2025, with Collier and other legislators choosing to stay on the House floor overnight. Collier, alongside fellow Democrats, is fighting against proposed redistricting maps that they argue will disenfranchise minority voters. “My community is majority-minority, and they expect me to stand up for their representation,” Collier stated, emphasizing her commitment to her constituents.
Collier’s legal action, filed in Travis County district court, challenges Burrows’ requirement that Democrats, who recently fled the state, must be escorted by troopers. Her lawsuit asserts that the Texas Constitution does not grant the legislature the power to compel a member present in the chamber to stay. “No such power is conferred on the Legislature to arrest or otherwise compel a member who is currently present,” the lawsuit claims.
In response, Speaker Burrows defended his policy, stating, “Rep. Collier’s choice to stay and not sign the permission slip is well within her rights under the House Rules.” He indicated his focus remains on pressing legislation that matters to Texans, such as property tax reform and education improvements.
Late Tuesday, as the protest gained momentum, several Democratic representatives, including Mihaela Plesa and Penny Morales Shaw, publicly tore up their “permission slips” in solidarity with Collier. This act of defiance has garnered national media attention, marking a significant moment in the ongoing battle over Texas redistricting.
Support for Collier swelled outside the Tarrant County courthouse on Tuesday afternoon, where local officials and activists rallied, demanding Burrows “free Nicole.” The demonstrators condemned the GOP’s efforts as an attack on Black and brown voters and likened the monitoring of Collier to historic injustices. “We cannot stand for it,” said Deborah Peoples, a member of the Fort Worth City Council, highlighting the urgent need for voter awareness in upcoming elections.
The situation escalates as the House prepares to vote on the redistricting plan on Wednesday. Collier’s protest is set to continue indefinitely, raising questions about the implications for Texas politics and voter representation. “I don’t know how long I will be here,” Collier told reporters, indicating her determination to fight against what she sees as an oppressive policy.
As tensions rise, both sides remain steadfast. Republican leaders criticize the protest as a “publicity stunt,” while Democrats assert that the integrity of minority representation is at stake. The outcome of this protest could have lasting impacts on Texas’ political landscape and voter rights.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds in the Texas legislature.
