Overview

• Isaiah Martin was arrested on July 24 after he exceeded his speaking time and protested Republican map proposals at a Texas House redistricting hearing.
• He faced misdemeanor counts of trespass, meeting disruption and resisting arrest before being held in Travis County Jail for nearly 24 hours.
• A viral video of Martin’s forceful removal and arrest ignited debate over civil disobedience and First Amendment rights in public hearings.
• The proposed mid-decade redistricting plan, backed by Gov. Greg Abbott and President Trump, has drawn Justice Department scrutiny for potential racial discrimination.
• Martin, a Democratic candidate in the special election for the 18th District seat, will address the Texas Redistricting Committee at the University of Houston to renew his opposition.