Texas Democrat compares threat of arrest after fleeing state to slavery
Gov. Abbott said Texas lawmakers who fled to Washington will be arrested upon their return
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Texas State Rep. Senfronia Thompson – one of the Democratic lawmakers that fled Austin for D.C. to deprive the state legislature of a quorum to vote on election integrity legislation – delivered a fiery speech in which she appeared to compare Texas officials threatening her arrest with the act of a slave escaping the plantation.
Speaking in Alexandria, Va., on Friday, Thompson, D-Harris said her caucus "refuse[s] to be a hostage."
"I know there are search warrants out for us and I'm ready to be arrested," she said. "What do you do to a slave if you don't do nothing but arrest them when they flee. We fled Texas and if they want to arrest me, go ahead. I’m ready to be arrested."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Thompson and her Democratic colleagues remain in D.C. this week attending a slew of voting rights-related events featuring guest speakers.
MSNBC’S JOY REID COMPARES POSSIBLE ARREST OF TEXAS DEMOCRATS TO FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT
The lawmakers attacked Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans earlier in the week for allegedly trying to suppress the votes of minorities, and they have documented their exploits on social media, gloating about "fugitive" status, boasting of their "sacrifice," and even singing "We Shall Overcome."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Abbott, a Republican, criticized the lawmakers who fled to Washington, saying that the lawmakers will be arrested upon their return to the state.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Appearing on "The Ingraham Angle," he said members of the Texas House of Representatives who are still in the state can call for the arrests of their colleagues who do not show up to vote. The one caveat is the arrest has to be made in the state.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News Charles Creitz contributed to this report.