Youth-led Texas organizations take over the Capitol for legislative session

By Samantha Guerrero News Contributor

On March 29, over 300 Texas youth walked down the streets of downtown Austin. Holding up their signs and walking in solidarity they chanted, "The people united will never be defeated."

The Youth Capitol Takeover, an event planned by nine Texas organizations, took place during the legislative meeting on Wednesday to give students a chance to see the Capitol, a legislative session and to learn how to make their voices heard. Bills presented during this session like ones on student voting rights, climate change and transgender rights, have concerned many students across Texas.

Students were bussed to the Capitol from several cities across the state including Houston, Laredo, San Antonio and San Marcos.

Joslynn Sanchez, a political science senior and policy intern for the organization Deeds Not Words, said that the day started at 10 a.m. with training for students.

"We spoke about the process of organizing and how it has long-term goals," Sanchez said. "We had an emphasis on asking [students] to not burn out and definitely take care of yourself because this isn't necessarily easy work."

Sanchez said that the training also gave students tips on how to be more involved in their advocacy with lessons on tabling and how to speak to representatives.

"We emphasized that [student's] work and their presence in something like an advocacy day matters," Sanchez said. "We also went over how to be optimistic about organizing and getting involved because it's one step in a bigger process."

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