**AUSTIN, TEXAS — **State Representative Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) is currently being detained on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives after taking a principled stand against unprecedented Republican intimidation tactics. Rep. Collier, a seven-term Democratic lawmaker and former chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, is refusing to sign a “permission slip” that would assign her a taxpayer-funded law enforcement escort required to follow her movements throughout the entire state, 24/7.
The permission slip requirement is the latest Republican tactic to monitor and control Democratic lawmakers following their successful quorum break that stalled Governor Abbott's discriminatory redistricting plan and sparked a national movement. Republicans have completely closed the House galleries to the public, ensuring no Texans can witness Rep. Collier's act of resistance firsthand, and have refused access to news cameras wishing to capture her protest.
REP. COLLIER IS AVAILABLE FOR LIVE INTERVIEWS FROM HER CONFINEMENT ON THE FLOOR OF THE TEXAS HOUSE. DETAILS BELOW
Rep. Collier, who represents a majority-minority district in Fort Worth, sees this as a continuation of her resistance against Republicans' discriminatory redistricting maps designed to silence minority voters.
"My constituents sent me to Austin to protect their voices and rights," said Rep. Nicole Collier. "I refuse to sign away my dignity as a duly elected representative just so Republicans can control my movements and monitor me with police escorts. My community is majority-minority, and they expect me to stand up for their representation. When I press that button to vote, I know these maps will harm my constituents — I won't just go along quietly with their intimidation or their discrimination."
Texas House Democrats are supporting Rep. Collier's right to protest and call on Republican leadership to immediately cease this unprecedented detention of a sitting legislator and reopen the galleries to restore public access and transparency to legislative proceedings.
REP. COLLIER IS AVAILABLE FOR LIVE INTERVIEWS FROM HER CONFINEMENT ON THE FLOOR OF THE TEXAS HOUSE.
**WHO: **Texas State Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth), attorney and 7-term legislator representing House District 95
**WHAT: **Rep. Collier is taking a principled stand by refusing to sign a "permission slip" required by Texas House Republicans after the Democratic quorum break that would assign her a police escort. She is currently confined to the House floor until she complies, but is refusing as a form of continued resistance against Republican intimidation tactics.
**WHERE: **Live from the Texas House floor in Austin, where she is being detained until she complies with Republican demands
**WHEN: **Available immediately for live hits - will remain on the House floor at least until Wednesday
** Bio Highlights:
First woman to represent Tarrant County's House District 95 Former Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus First woman in Texas history to chair House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Attorney, small business owner, and working mother who overcame significant obstacles Currently serves on House Appropriations and Public Health Committees Represents a majority-minority district in Fort Worth
Why This Matters Now:
Rep. Collier is part of the group of Texas House Democrats who just returned from their historic quorum break that successfully blocked Abbott's redistricting plan While other Democrats have returned and signed the permission slips, she's taking a bold, individual stand She articulates powerfully why this is about dignity, representation, and resisting Republican control tactics This is happening in real-time with dramatic visuals (confined legislator, police presence)