Texas Democrat Nicole Collier Locked in Capitol Over Redistricting Protest

Texas State Representative Nicole Collier has been engaged in a high-profile protest against a Republican-led redistricting plan influenced by former President Donald Trump, which would increase GOP congressional seats while dismantling minority districts in major Texas cities. Upon returning from a quorum break, Collier refused to sign a Republican-mandated 'permission slip' that would place her under constant police escort, resulting in her being confined overnight inside the Texas Capitol House chamber. Collier denounced the requirement as demeaning and authoritarian, asserting her right to protest without being treated like a criminal and challenging the legality of her confinement through a habeas corpus petition. The redistricting effort, pushed by Governor Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, aims to solidify Republican advantages ahead of the 2026 midterms. Collier's protest has drawn criticism of GOP tactics as reminiscent of Jim Crow-era suppression, with fellow Democrats and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett condemning the surveillance and restrictions imposed on elected officials. As the standoff continues, Collier plans to remain at the Capitol until the next scheduled vote, highlighting ongoing tensions over voting rights and representation in Texas.