On August 19, Houston police arrested 22 people during a pro-Palestinian protest outside the Israeli consulate. The demonstrators, who set up tents in a grassy area, were charged with misdemeanor trespassing and issued $100 bonds. The following day, community members gathered outside Harris County Jail demanding their release and calling attention to police tactics used during the protest.

Video from the scene shows mounted officers moving into crowds, with at least one horse pushing a woman into the street. Protesters who were present say the event had been peaceful until police escalated it with aggressive measures. What began as a nonviolent encampment ended in mass arrests, barriers, and images of law enforcement on horseback forcing back unarmed demonstrators.

The right to protest is protected under the First Amendment. Peaceful dissent is not a crime, yet across Texas we are seeing an alarming pattern: police and local governments treating protests as threats rather than protected expression. From jailing demonstrators to escalating force, these responses silence communities and chill free speech.

We demand accountability and change. Houston city leaders and the Houston Police Department must drop charges against the arrested protesters, conduct a full review of police actions on August 19, and commit to protecting peaceful assemblies. The use of mounted units to disperse nonviolent protesters must end immediately, and officers must be trained to respect the constitutional rights of demonstrators.

This is not just about one protest. It is about ensuring Houston remains a city where people can raise their voices without fear of arrest, injury, or intimidation. Criminalizing protest undermines democracy and erodes trust in public institutions.

Sign if you agree: Houston officials must protect the right to protest, end the criminalization of peaceful dissent, and ensure that what happened at the consulate never happens again.

[Photo Credit: Raquel Natalicchio/ Houston Chronicle]