While Texans are decorating homes, sharing meals, and giving back this holiday season, Attorney General Ken Paxton is using state power to silence the very nonprofits that serve our communities.

Over the past two years, Paxton has launched investigations and lawsuits against more than a dozen organizations — many of them immigrant shelters, civic groups, and voter registration nonprofits. These groups help families in crisis, support new Americans, and protect the right to vote.

Now, recent court rulings have given Paxton broad authority to demand internal records from any nonprofit or business he chooses — without presenting evidence first. If a group refuses to comply immediately, he can sue to revoke their corporate status and shut them down.

This is not about public safety or good governance. It is political intimidation dressed up as legal enforcement.

Groups like Annunciation House, Jolt, and Powered by People have been forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars just to stay open. Some have laid off staff and cut back vital services. One group registered fewer than a third of the voters they normally reach — all because of the time and money required to fight the state in court.

This petition calls on Texas lawmakers, judges, and voters to reject this abuse of power. We demand:

• An end to politically motivated lawsuits against nonprofits
• Legislative reforms to protect organizations from unchecked document demands
• Legal accountability for misuse of state authority

In a season meant for giving, sheltering, and serving others, we cannot let compassion be punished by lawsuits. Texas communities rely on these groups every day — and they deserve protection, not persecution.

Sign this petition if you believe in the right to serve, the right to organize, and the right to do good without fear of government retaliation.

Photo: Texas Tribune