Supporting the 'Texas 11'

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Eleven Texas state senators made national headlines a few months ago by fleeing their state to foil a brazen Republican attempt to force a legislative vote that would redistrict Texas congressional seats in favor of the GOP. The "Texas 11," found temporary shelter in New Mexico, where our Council 18 undertook to demonstrate solidarity and bolster their spirits.

AFSCME hosted a breakfast, presenting each senator with a "care package" to make their stay more pleasant. The union arranged for Sens. Rodney Ellis, Gonzalo Barrientos, Eliot Shapleigh and Mario Gallegos Jr. to address the New Mexico Federation of Labor's COPE Convention. Some 250 labor activists at the convention gave them a roaring reception and thanks for standing up to Bush administration attempts to gerrymander the U.S. House of Representatives.