Protestors rally for Rep. Darby during Abbott, Bradley remarks

Ashtin Wade
·2 min read
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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Dozens of protestors lined E. Towhig Avenue in downtown San Angelo in support of Drew Darby as Gov. Greg Abbott and state representative candidate Stormy Bradley made an appearance inside the Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria Friday morning.

Protestors stand alongside the street holding signs stating "No tax payer funded charter schools", "no vouchers with tax dollars", and "no school vouchers".
Protestors stand alongside the street holding signs stating “No taxpayer-funded charter schools”, “no vouchers with tax dollars”, and “No school vouchers”.

Both Republican and Democrat voters stood together to show their support for Rep. Darby and protest school vouchers under House Bill 1, which would allow private schools to receive funding from the Texas government through taxpayer dollars. Rep. Darby is one of 21 Republicans who voted against Abbott’s school voucher legislation in 2023.

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“What you have going on out here is a grassroots effort to support Drew Darby and his stance for public education,” said Kay Holland, a retired school teacher who joined the protest. “And I emphasize public because public funds belong in public schools.”

Gov. Greg Abbott pauses to wave at the group of protestors before making his way inside the Central Firehouse Pizzeria
Gov. Greg Abbott pauses to wave at the group of protestors before making his way inside the Central Firehouse Pizzeria in downtown San Angelo.

Holland, several other retired public school teachers, and those who support public schools expressed the need to back Rep. Darby during this time.

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“One problem is that it would steal money, s-t-e-a-l, from the small communities that don’t have private schools,” Holland explained. With less money going to independent school districts, the education that students receive in smaller, rural communities would be greatly affected if not disappear, according to Holland.

Protesters with Teachers for Darby stand together on Twohig Aveune waiting Gov. Greg Abbott's arrival to Central Firehouse Pizzeria in downtown San Angelo.
Protesters with Teachers for Darby and Boot Vouchers stand together on Twohig Avenue waiting for Gov. Greg Abbott’s arrival at Central Firehouse Pizzeria in downtown San Angelo.

With no Democrat candidate running against Rep. Darby or Bradley during the upcoming election, these protestors are standing their ground to show the need for an individual who will fight for public education. Another retired teacher spoke with Concho Valley Homepage to share how Darby has been an advocate for both the San Angelo community and other communities within the state of Texas.

“As we all know, Drew is a real supporter of public education not only for our community but for the outlying communities that he serves,” Elizabeth McPeterson explained. “If the voucher bill went through it would destroy a lot of small West Texas towns.”

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