Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier abruptly left a video call with Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin and other party members from across the country after she was warned that she was committing a felony.
On the call Wednesday, Collier was discussing Texas Democrats’ plan to challenge state Republicans’ redistricting map in court, over which the state House Democrats fled from Texas to prevent the map from passing. Upon returning to the state this week following the first special session, the state Republicans passed the redistricting map on Wednesday during the second special session.
“Today, we are setting the stage so that we can have a legal record to present to the court about these proposed maps that we know are a violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act,” Collier said on the call, which she took in a bathroom at the Texas Capitol.
“These maps will prevent black and brown individuals from selecting the candidate of their choice because they’re cracking and packing these districts, they are splitting them up, and they’re not allowing communities that have shared interests to vote for the candidate of their choice.”
As Martin responded to Collier, she interrupted, saying, “Sorry, I have to leave. They said it’s a felony for me to do this. Apparently, I can’t be on the floor or in a bathroom.”
“Well, you told me I was only allowed to be here in the bathroom,” Collier told someone who was out of view of the camera. “No, hang on — bye everybody, I’ve got to go.”
It is unclear what exactly Collier did that allegedly constituted a felony or who told her such.Â
Democrats on the call reacted to Collier being told she was committing a felony.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said on the call after Collier left, “That is outrageous. First of all, let me tell you something: Rep. Collier in the bathroom has more dignity than Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
“That is outrageous. What they’re trying to do right there is silence an American leader, silence a Black woman, and that is outrageous. And I hope everybody took note of that — the fact that she can’t even let her voice be heard is frickin outrageous.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded in agreement with Booker’s comments.
Martin posted on X on Wednesday, “I was just on a press call with @NicoleCollier95, @CoryBooker, and @GavinNewsom. Rep. Collier joined us from the TX Capitol. She was ordered to leave the call, and threatened with a felony charge if she didn’t comply. This is an outrageous violation of her freedom of speech.”
Texas Democrats who wanted to leave the Capitol in between House meetings could only do so after “agreeing to be released into the custody of a designated DPS officer appointment under the rules of the House,” Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) said, The Hill news outlet reported. Also, they have to sign a form saying they will return to the Capitol.
Collier declined to agree to the terms and instead slept inside the state House in protest.
