CNN News reported 30 minutes ago that Representative Nicole Collier, a member of the Democratic Party, became the first black woman and the first person in Texas history to be “locked” inside the House of Representatives chamber. According to the story, she was only allowed to leave if she agreed to sign a type of permit that was considered a coercive document, which was likened to a “modern form of slavery”.
Initial information said that it was the Communist members of the House who imposed this condition. Ms. Collier was forced to listen to the announcement: “You cannot leave here without signing the permit”. This action immediately evoked painful memories of the black community, when in the past, African Americans were forced to carry special documents to travel during the slavery period.
This shocking event has sparked a wave of strong criticism across the United States. Many human rights activists call this “a resurgence of ancient oppression in the heart of the 21st century.” The fact that a black congresswoman, who is still in office, was detained against her will in the parliament is not only a personal insult, but also a heavy blow to democracy and justice.
Some legal experts say that this incident seriously violates the civil and civil rights guaranteed by the US Constitution. No one can be detained illegally, and even less can they exchange their freedom for political conditions. Forcing people to sign a “permit” is no different from coercion and ideological coercion, which goes against all the principles of freedom that the United States has always considered the “lighthouse of democracy” of the world.
The media also emphasized that this event occurred in the context of Texas having faced many criticisms on racial issues, from restricting voting rights to border security policies. Nicole Collier’s “lockdown” in parliament has added fuel to the fire, making the black community feel even more like they are being treated as second-class citizens.
Thousands of people have expressed their outrage on social media. Hashtags like #StandWithCollier, #CivilRightsNow and #EndRacialRetaliation have appeared frequently, with many commenting that “this is not a democratic state, but a political prison in disguise”. Some even directly compared the situation to the Apartheid regime in South Africa, where black people were controlled every step of the way with the infamous “pass laws”.
Nicole Collier has not yet made an official statement, but observers believe that she will not be silent. As a pioneering black female parliamentarian, her speaking out could spark a major legal and political battle against abuse of power in parliament. If she decides to sue, the case could very well become a landmark in civil rights history in the United States.
Ultimately, this case not only exposes the deep divisions in Texas politics, but also serves as a wake-up call for the entire country. Because if a legitimate congressman can still be detained and forced to sign a license as a modern-day slave, how can the freedom of every other citizen be guaranteed? This question will surely haunt American public opinion for many days to come.
