TexasFilibuster

Twitter 2013-06 politics peaked
Also known as: stand with wendywendy davis

#TexasFilibuster

Wendy Davis’s 11-hour filibuster against Texas abortion restrictions in June 2013.

Quick Facts

PropertyValue
DateJune 25, 2013
Duration11 hours in pink sneakers
LegislatorWendy Davis (D-Texas)
OutcomeBill eventually passed in special session

Origin & Impact

Texas State Senator Wendy Davis became a national figure on June 25, 2013, when she filibustered for 11 hours to block abortion restrictions. The hashtag trended globally as thousands watched the livestream and #StandWithWendy supporters flooded the Texas Capitol. Davis couldn’t sit, lean, or eat, famously wearing pink running shoes.

Though Republicans passed the bill in a subsequent special session, Davis became a Democratic hero. President Obama tweeted support, and she leveraged fame into a 2014 gubernatorial run (which she lost). The filibuster demonstrated social media’s power to amplify state-level politics and mobilize activists nationwide. Her pink sneakers became iconic.

References

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