Houston Mayor Proposes Protest Limit Near Homes

Houston Mayor John Whitmire has publicly accused pro-Palestinian protesters outside his home of being financed by Iran, although he provided no evidence to support this claim. This allegation coincides with his push for a new ordinance aimed at restricting protests within 200 feet of residential properties, which has raised concerns about potential violations of free speech. Activists and some City Council members, like Edward Pollard, have expressed worries that such a measure could simply shift protests to neighboring homes without addressing underlying issues. The ordinance was sent to the Public Safety Committee for further review after council members raised First Amendment concerns. Organizers of the protests, including Nishu Siddique, have rejected the mayor's claims, arguing they are grassroots movements not funded by external sources. The ongoing debate reflects broader tensions around civil rights protests and local governance in the context of national issues regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.