‘Vote them out’: country musician Willie Nelson headlines Texas protest rally
- Clergy, politicians, constituents and musicians all spoke against proposals to impose voter restrictions in Texas
- ‘If you don’t like who’s in there, vote them out,’ Nelson sang, inviting the crowd to join him in singing lyrics about taking a stand at the ballot box
Country music legend Willie Nelson led more than a thousand spectators in singing “vote them out” on Saturday from the steps of the Texas Capitol during a rally wrapping up a four-day march in support of Democratic state legislators who bolted for Washington two weeks ago to block Republican-backed voting restrictions.
Families spread out across the sprawling Capitol greens in Austin. Clergy, politicians, constituents and musicians all spoke out about the proposals to impose voter ID requirements, limit ballot drop boxes and mail voting, and strip local officials of their election authority.
The special session that the exodus by Texas Democrats halted is set to expire next week, but Republican Governor Greg Abbott has pledged to schedule a new one as soon as the politicians return to the state.
“If you don’t like who’s in there, vote them out,” Nelson sang, inviting the crowd to join him in singing lyrics he had previously written about taking a stand at the ballot box.
“I felt like I needed to be here. It is a history-making event that is so necessary right now,” said Brenda Hanson, 75, of Austin. “I am a descendant of slavery and I am not interested in moving back, I want to see this country go forward. I have lived well over three quarters of a century and I have never seen us go backwards like this before.”